by Norma Yuriar & Brian Morrow

A valley firefighter held on for as long as he could waiting for a bone marrow transplant.

On Thursday, September 20th, Chris Johnson lost his battle with cancer. The flag at fire station #82 in Del Rey is now lowered at half-staff where Johnson spent the past few years of his life doing what he loved most.

Johnson died in Los Angeles County waiting for a donor. Fire trucks from Los Angeles enroute to Sanger escorted his body back home "We were all very good friends with Chris. It's not only a terrible loss to the department, but to us personally" said Fresno County Firefighter Mike Bowman.

At the age of 32, the veteran engineer with Fresno County Fire lost a heroic fight with Leukemia. "It's a really hard disease to get through, but if someone was going to get through, it would have been Chris" said retired dispatcher Rita Johnson.

Family and friends have set-up a memorial fund. Anyone wishing to donate to the "Chris Johnson" memorial fund may do so at Central Valley Community Bank. You can also make a donation at the Fresno County Fire Headquarters in Sanger. For more information call (559)485-7500 Ext. 100.