Gladman C. Humbles, age 86, of Paducah passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Baptist Health Paducah.

He was a graduate of the former Lincoln High School and Creighton University of Omaha, Nebraska.

Gladman was Paducah's first African-American firefighter and later became Assistant Fire Chief and one of the first black firefighters union presidents in the country. He was former president and member of the local chapter of the NAACP and a veteran of the United States Air Force.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Fannie Humbles, his 2nd wife, Bernice Glore Humbles and a brother.

Survivor's include three daughters; Joan Humbles Bombardier of Paducah, Jana Humbles Shobe of Gaithersburg, MD and Cathy Lewis of Louisville, KY; five sons; John Humbles of Lakewood, CO, Christopher C. Williams of Paducah, KY, Charles L. Patterson, Jr. of Paducah, KY, Roy Patterson of Nashville, TN and James Patterson of Paducah, KY; Fifteen- Grandchildren; Seven Great-Grandchildren and Four Great-Great Grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives including his 1st wife Betty Jo Pendarvis Humbles of Lakewood, CO.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, April 8, 2017, 1:00 p.m. at the Washington Street Missionary Baptist Church with Reverend Raynarldo Henderson and Reverend B. Kennedy officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Oak Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to: Chronic Disease Fund located at 6900 Dallas Parkway, Suite #200, Plano, TX 75024.