JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former Jacksonville Fire Chief Cullen Chalker celebrated his 100th birthday Wednesday surrounded by loved ones.
The milestone was marked by a proclamation from Mayor Donna Deegan and even a reading on the floor of Congress by Rep. John Rutherford.
About 200 well-wishers packed the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters Hall for Chalker’s birthday lunch.
He shrugged off compliments with a laugh, saying, “It’s only 100.”
Born in Fernandina Beach, Chief Chalker enlisted in the Navy at 17 and served four years in World War II. Soon afterward, he joined the Jacksonville Fire Department.
“Best job in the world,” he said.
With JFRD, he rose through the ranks to captain, then chief, and later worked at the Jacksonville Fireman’s Credit Union, eventually taking over as general manager.
“He was asked once, ‘What made you want to become fire chief?’ and he said, ‘I hadn’t impressed my wife in a while,’” said Chalker’s granddaughter, Jaime Carter.
Carter said he has a lifetime of stories about saving lives. But on his 100th birthday, he didn’t want to talk about that -- he wanted to talk about the love of his life, known by her nickname, “Dubie.” They were married for 64 years.
“I was married to the only one for me. You can tell she was beautiful,” he said, pointing at a picture of Dubie on display.
After tying the knot in 1949, the couple saved money to buy a house in Jacksonville Beach, where they raised their family. Chief Chalker still lives there 72 years later.
When asked if he had any tips for people living a long life, he chuckled and said, “I sure don’t!”
Carter said her grandfather enjoys going to breakfast with his friends and reading books in retirement.
Although he’s outlived people dear to him, including his beloved Dubie, the packed house at his 100th birthday party demonstrated how much he means to so many people.
“He’s a hero, one of the last of his era,” said JFRD retired Battalion Chief Larry Mays. “I’m glad that I’m his friend, and I am super glad that he is my friend.”
“He’s my Papa,” Carter said. “And he was an amazing husband to his wife, but he is a fireman. And that never has left him...that ability to want to help and do good.”
Chief Chalker’s life advice?
“I’ve had a good one, so…just copy what I’ve done,” he said with a chuckle.