Darrell G. Bassett descends from #173B Thomas Bassett of Cornwall, England as follows:
Thomas Bassett of St. Stephen, Cornwall, England
Thomas Bassett (b. 1751) and wife Susanna Yelland
Thomas Bassett (b. 1785) and wife Mary Truscott
George Bassett (b. 1817) and wife Philippa Osborne
Thomas Bassett (b. 1850) and wife Augusta Heise
Frederick James Bassett (b. 1894)
Darrell G. Bassett
Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department Hall of Fame
2005 – Darrell “Buck” Bassett (Picture included)
“At the departments regular meeting, called to order by President Armstrong” on March 14th 1963, Darrell Gene Bassett’s application was voted on by ballot and was “carried by ballot”. Buck Bassett was unanimously voted into the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department, sworn in by President Thurman Armstrong, Vice President Don Weist and Fire Chief John Hilderbrand.
“Buck” became an extraordinarily energetic member of the department, elected to virtually every committee, board and office, many of them at the same time. His rise through the department is unprecedented. An example of this is the fact he was elected President of the department a year after joining in 1964 and again in 1965, a position he held 14 times. Buck has held a significant position each and every year he has been a member and it is indeed impossible to find a major development in the departments’ history, that he hasn’t helped orchestrate or had a direct impact on, an achievement that is as true today as it ever was. He was elected President 3 times, Vice President twice, Captain of Co. #1 twice, Treasurer, executive board member and Assistant Chief, before being appointed the Ogallala Fire Chief in 1992. Chief Bassett has also been very active throughout Nebraska, holding positions in the NSVFA, including President and Executive Board member. He was President of the Nebraska Fire Chief’s Association and is currently the Secretary, and he is the past President of the Southwest Mutual Aid District and he continues to lobby at the state capital for fire related legislation and communication improvements. But, his legacy within this department is his leadership and guidance to the men and women that follow him. Many times he has demonstrated his love for this department and we for him. Buck Bassett has been a leader, an instructor, a mentor and an inspiration, to the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department and to all the volunteer fire departments in the state of Nebraska.
In 1977 Buck was recognized by the department for his dedication to the fire service when he received the “McQueen Award”. Among the many other awards bestowed on him throughout his fire service career, he has also won the states VFIS “Firemanship Award”, given to the top firemen from across Nebraska, not only once, but twice. Darrell Bassett has served the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department for 43 years and 3 months. Buck and his wife Jacque’s service to the community of Ogallala is exceptional and unwavering and deserves recognition.
The 2005 Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department affirms that Darrell “Buck” Bassett’s service with exceptional distinction in the history of this Department, and honors this with the induction into the Ogallala Hall of Fame.
Respectfully,
The Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department