State Sen. Cam Ward presented the family of the late Joseph Howard Driver with a resolution on Tuesday, celebrating his past service to the community and mourning his loss.

Sen. Ward presented the proclamation to Driver’s widow, Thomasine Driver. Howard Driver, who was a longtime Clanton firefighter, died last month at age 81.

Driver, who joined the fire department at the age of 14, served the residents of Clanton for more than 50 years.

Neil Fetner, a captain with the Clanton Police Department, suggested the proclamation, which reads, in part, that Driver will be greatly missed, but that “his memory will be cherished in the hearts and minds of those who were fortunate to know him.”

It continues to say that he will be remembered as “a devoted family man and a loyal public servant.”

His son, Dewayne Driver, a Clanton police officer and firefighter, said the recognition of his father is a tremendous compliment.

“It is a huge honor that not just the community, but the state is recognizing my father for the years of service he has given to the city,” Dewayne Driver said. “It means a lot to us.”

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story had Howard Driver’s first name wrong. The Advertiser regrets the error.