Line of Duty Deaths Database

Philip B. Oldham
Name
Philip B. Oldham
Local
L4258, Grays Harbor F.D. 2
Gender
Male
Age
52
District
07
Occupation
Lieutenant
Type of Duty
Fire Suppression
Fatal Injury Cause
Contact/Exposure - Smoke/Toxic Fire Prod.
Nature of Fatal Injury
Cancer - Leukemia
Date of Death
11/15/2019
Year Placed On Wall
2022
Multiple Line of Duty Incident
No information available
Name
City/State
Date
Summary
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Website Comments
It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Lieutenant/Paramedic Philip Oldham, IAFF District 7 Local 4258, Grays Harbor Fire District 2, WA. Brother Oldham, 52, passed away on November 15, 2019 from leukemia.

A memorial service will be held on at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at the Evergreen Christian Community Church, 1000 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Olympia, WA 98502; phone: (360) 352-3410.

Expressions of sympathy or condolences for the family or the Local can be sent to IAFF Local 4258, 6317 Olympic Hwy., Aberdeen, WA, 98520-5723
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Biographical Comments
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Brother Philip Oldham, a Lt/Paramedic for Grays Harbor Fire District 2 and member of IAFF Local 4258. Brother Oldham was diagnosed with cancer in June of 2019 and while he fought so very hard unfortunately he succumbed to this disease.

Phil had an impact on many and his death is being felt across the entire state. He was an all around good man. He was passionate about his family and passionate about the Labor movement. He is survived by his wife Jennifer, son Andrew and daughter Noelle.

Philip started in the fire service volunteering for Tumwater, not long after high school, with a friend that dared him to volunteer with him. Philip fell in love with this career path and dedicated his life to it and the communities he served. He continued his education, became a paramedic, and started his professional fire career as a firefighter/paramedic in April 2004 in Grays Harbor. He was promoted to lieutenant in January 2015.

Philip was raised in a military family and had a great work ethic, due in part to his upbringing. He had enormous character and did the right thing even when no one was watching. His was honest, loving, and accepting of others no matter what the situation. He served in many capacities at the fire station, acting as the fire district’s health and safety officer and implementing a self-contained breathing air program for the district. He oversaw the selection of SCBAs for four agencies including his own and was instru- mental in securing the grant for their purchase. He also was a trained SCBA repair technician. He was passionate about keeping firefighters safe. Philp was also active in wildland firefighting in his state. He completed and was posthumously awarded his engine boss certification, a goal he had been working on for three years.

His other contributions to the fire service are more than can be listed. He was an EMS evaluator, instructor, emergency vehicle instructor, and served as the training officer for his fire district. Philip was very active in the union. He attended the annual Washington State Council of Fire Fighters convention, serving as chair and co-chair of the rules committee for more than ten years.

Philip was dedicated first to Jesus Christ, then to his family, and then to the fire service. Philip finally found the love of his life, Jennifer. They got married in 2009, and he adopted her daughter.

Philip lost his life after a five-month battle with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia. He was actively working in the fire service when he started showing symptoms. He fought courageously and never asked, “Why me?” He said that he knew the risks of being a firefighter. He loved helping people and could not see himself doing anything else.

A piece of our hearts went with him when he left this earth to be with his maker in heaven. He left behind his wife, Jennifer; son, Andrew; daughter, Noelle; mother, Jane; brother Greg (Brenda); and sister, Sheryl (Doug), plus many other family members and friends.
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