LODD 360 - FIF002
Charleston, South Carolina
"May the lessons learned from a truthful and complete analysis of this incident prevent future tragedies"
- Charleston City Report
James "Earl" Allen Drayton – Firefighter 19
Firefighter James "Earl" Allen Drayton, 56, was the oldest of the nine firefighters who died at the Sofa Super Store. A 32-year veteran of the Charleston Fire Department, he was known by generations of city firefighters. They called him "old school" around Station 19 in West Ashley. He is survived by his wife Kimberly, five children, three stepchildren, and several grandchildren. Kimberly Drayton said she last saw her husband the day of the fire as he left for work from their Sangaree home near Summerville. The couple had planned to leave for a cruise to Puerto Rico that weekend. "He was all packed," she said. "He was so excited." Drayton exuded a quiet confidence. His rhythmic walk and talk earned him the nickname "Cool Earl," said his older brother, Herbert Drayton. "I never really heard him raise his
voice." One of eight children, he was born on Charleston's West Side and his family moved to Amherst Street on the city's East Side when he was a child. After graduating from C.A. Brown High School, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served eight years on active duty. He had a reputation for dressing to the nines and meticulously washing his black Chrysler. He was selected several times to drive Mayor Joe Riley in the city's Christmas Parade. He was on his third retirement with the department, his wife said. "They kept asking him back. He was going to give it two more years." Drayton also worked as a stagehand. He painted scenes and built sets for countless local performances. He also wore the battle scars of a seasoned firefighter. He was knocked unconscious by an electrical shock while battling a blaze in 1999. His family says he was once trapped in another fire.
- Charleston City Report
