Lakewood Baptist Church was packed Wednesday with firefighters and emergency medical technicians from across the state who came to pay their respects to Capt. Timothy Peebles.

Peebles, a beloved Hall County Fire Services employee, died this weekend at age 44 following an extended illness.

Friends, family and coworkers shared their memories of Peebles, a man they said was dedicated to his family, church and job.

Hall County Fire Services Battalion Chief Chad Black said for years Peebles taught paramedics at Lanier Technical College.

“Tim touched a lot of lives,” Black said. “A lot of those (at the funeral) were past students.”

Ambulances and fire trucks from the entire region — Banks, Towns, Gwinnett and White counties to name a few — crowded the church parking lot.

“I know he was up there smiling. That just tickled him to death to see all those trucks out there. He was a junkie when it came to emergency services,” Black said.

Peebles loved what he did and held many positions during his 25 years with the department.

He started as a volunteer firefighter and served as the Emergency Medical Services coordinator until his death.

Peebles led an effort to get automated external defibrillators into area schools and emergency vehicles. The devices diagnose potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.

He also started the department’s Explorer Program through the Boy Scouts of America.

Ironically, Peebles also was a former spokesman for the department who was first to volunteer to speak at the funeral of a fallen firefighter or serve as the master of ceremonies for fire services events.

“Tim was our go-to guy,” Division Chief Jerry Smith said. “You always knew you could depend on him.”

Peebles’ sister-in-law, the Rev. Deanne Lynch, said everyone will remember him as a loving father, husband and friend with an “unfailing commitment to life and a life worthy of faith.”