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It is with profound sadness that the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department regrets to announce the passing of Life Member William “Earl” Shughart.  Earl passed away suddenly on Monday, March 19th 2012.  Earl joined the Department in 1991 and served as a Firefighter, Assistant Engineer, and Deputy Engineer.  In 1993, Earl received the Medal of Valor (the highest medal in the Department) for rescuing workers trapped in a well.  Earl was also instrumental in the development and training of the first Charles County Special Operations—Collapse Rescue Team, which is operated by La Plata VFD.  Earl’s dedication to the Department over the years is evident in the first class quality of the Collapse Rescue Team and in the various projects that he completed with his welding expertise.

A well-respected member of the fire department community, Earl joined the Fairfax County Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Team in 1998 and represented the team as a Heavy Rigger on several missions. His expertise in heavy rigging and crane operations proved invaluable in the completion of the original US&R state-of-the-art rubble training site.  He participated in numerous exercises and mentored several team members in crane operations. He deployed to the bombing in Nairobi, Kenya, earthquakes in Izmit, Turkey and Touliu, Taiwan, the Pentagon, and Hurricane Ophelia in Virginia Beach.

Earl was a dedicated family man and close friend to all.  He is survived by his mother P. Earlene Shughart, daughters Kim and Krystle and their families, girlfriend Donna Davis and her son Joshua Davis, his brother Harry (who is also a Life Member of the Department), sister Teena Schwering, sister Jacqueline, and his FDLP and Fairfax brothers and sisters.  Earl’s ever-present smile will be greatly missed around the firehouse, along with his willingness to help anyone in need.

The arrangements were as follows:

Viewing was on Monday, March 26, 2012 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM with Firemen's Prayers at 7 PM at La Plata Volunteer Fire Department.

Funeral Services were held at La Plata Volunteer Fire Department on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 10 AM with interment at Old Durham Church Cemetery in Ironsides, MD.  

Additional photos available at RCDPhotography.com