Heroism sometimes has less to do with a magnificent deed than with everyday service toward others. It’s the kind of heroic living each one of us has the capacity to reach.

During recent tragedies we have read and heard stories of heroism. Yet these brave heroes are always described by their families and friends, “That’s just the way he or she is.”

Clancy Overturf, this month’s Hometown Hero, is that kind of hero. A volunteer firefighter, Overturf is part of a group that is ready and willing to help anyone, day or night. Because “It’s just the way he is” in his day-to-day life.

Ten years ago an elderly man perished in a house fire in Overturf’s neighborhood.

“Clancy came to the Saratoga Fire Station to see if we needed more volunteers,” said Capt. Jim Towers of Fire District 3. “When he found out there was no volunteer for the day shift, he immediately offered his services.”

Overturf graduated from the firefighter academy and his service has been invaluable, Towers said.

“He keeps himself as strong as an ox, and can keep up with any age firefighter,” Towers said. “His quick thinking and ability to stay calm in any situation is admirable.”

Overturf has become second in command and has taught many young firefighters to safely drive a fire engine. Towers says he’s a perfect instructor, never yelling or getting flustered, and his 40 years of driving gasoline tankers is a real asset.

“When Clancy is first on the scene, I can be assured all bases will be covered,” Towers said. “He is always the last to leave a scene, waiting until everything is cleaned up. It could be 3 a.m., pouring down rain, and Clancy will always insist that the younger volunteers go home and get some shuteye, so they’re able to work at their jobs in the morning.”

Towers says the entire department wishes they had a dozen more like him.

But Overturf doesn’t see himself as anything special.

“Gee, I’m just fortunate they can use me,” he said. “It’s an honor to be part of this fire district. They are the ones I admire.”

Neighbor Peggy Sullivan says the firefighters in the news and the South Whidbey volunteers are much the same, ready to meet the needs of the community and their neighbors.

“I feel like I live in ‘Mayberry’ because of Clancy’s generosity in our neighborhood,” Sullivan said with a smile. “He moves around our heavy furniture, troubleshoots our malfunctioning appliances, watches our animals and empty houses and picks up large branches after a storm.”

Another neighbor, Blake Kaiser, reflected: “When we moved to the Bells Beach neighborhood, little did we know what rewards it held with neighbors like the Overturfs. When we take our morning walk, if we are lucky to visit with our pal Clancy, the day is ever so much sweeter.”

The “Bells Beach road Ambassador of Goodwill” is what neighbor Delcy Morrison calls Clancy Overturf.

“Even the four-leggeds know he’ll always have a treat in his pocket for them,” Morrison said. “He has a delicious sense of humor: He ties plastic bananas on his neighbors’ fruit trees in the off season. He inspires all of us to be more friendly and giving.”

Overturf, however, insists it is those around him whom he is moved by, as well as his faith.

He says he has found inspiration starting with his parents. Even though they were divorced when he was eight years old, and for five years he was separated from his siblings, he focuses on the good his parents passed on to him.

“My dad was honest in every respect,” Overturf said. “As an electrician he would bid a job, and at the completion of the job, if he made any more money than he had planned on, he would refund the difference to the customer.”

His mother was sensitive, and instantly forgiving. Overturf recalled one night when he was to pick up his mother at 7 p.m. outside the Bon Marche. He was more than a half-hour late.

“When I pulled up there she was waiting at the appointed spot, in the pouring-down rain. I told her I was sorry, that I had been delayed. She smiled and said, ‘That’s OK, Clancy. I knew you’d be along.’

Overturf found the same kind heart in his wife of 54 years, Mary Lou.

“She is the most thoughtful person I know in my life,” he said. “And she has passef that on to our children and grandchildren.”

For instance, Overturf said, Scotty, their 51-year-old son, believes one should never look down on anyone for any reason.

“Scotty works in Seattle, and comes across many homeless folks,” Overturf said. “If they’re hungry, why he’ll buy them food. If they’re cold he’ll give them his hat, gloves or the coat off his back.”

Overturf remembers a touching father-son conversation when Scotty called to ask if his father would be the best man at his wedding.

“But Scotty, that honor is reserved for your best friend,” Overturf said to his son. Scotty answered, “I know, Dad, and you are my best friend.”

Overturf’s close relationship with his son has perhaps helped ease the pain and fill the void left by the loss of his brother, Don, who died suddenly after a routine surgery.

“We were as close as two brothers could be. Losing Don was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through,” Overturf said, still able to relive the pain of his loss.

He says, however, that he’ll always remember his mother’s strong faith when she said, “We’ve lost a dear friend…for a while.”

His mother was right, Overturf said.

“We will reunite with Don again, and faith in God does give us strength. But it sure does hurt to lose someone you love.”

Clancy and Mary Lou Overturf rent out their large guest cottage as a bed and breakfast. A couple who recently stayed in their cottage said it was more like staying at the home of friends or family. Mr. Olsen recounted a time when his wife, who is in a wheelchair, fell in the restroom at 4 a.m. Unable to help his wife up because of his own frailty and advanced age, he said, he didn’t know what else to do, so he called the Overturfs.

Even at that hour, Olsen said, Clancy and Mary Lou immediately came over and cared for his wife as if they’d knownher all their lives.

“I wish everyone could have a caring neighbor like Clancy,” said Barbara MacCallum. “He’s a neighbor who, when he greets me, whips out a coin and checks the tread on my tires, while giving my dog Lindsay treats from his pocket. For 11 years he has unclogged my drains, cut trees and solved problems.”

Overturf gives freely of his lifetime of knowledge and skills, MacCallum said. He knows that small actions help in big ways. Heroes come in many guises, and people who quietly and cheerfully help out others around them are the glue that makes a community come together.

Another Overturf neighbor, Peggy Sullivan, remarks that their “Mayberry” neighborhood has many good hearts. Just as chaos and anxiety are contagious, so is good will.

“When you have neighbors like Clancy Overturf who extend a warm hand, you smile and extend yours to another, and pretty soon you have a really great neighborhood.”

Overturf’s personal side

Whom do you respect outside of your family?

“Every single volunteer in Fire District Number 3, for their total dedication to weekly fire drills, day and night emergencies, the Island County Fair, fire safety education, schools and more. My role models are Capt. Mel Grimm, Capt. Jim Towers, chief Les Hagstrom and Chief Donald Elliot.

“And all my neighbors.”

What human trait do you admire?

“People who have ‘made it’ and are still humble. For example, John Chambers, CEO of Cisco, gave up his salary so he didn’t have to lay anyone off. He goes around the company with an ice cream cart. He says that all the employees would stop to talk to him if they had an ice cream cone in their hand.”

Do you have a favorite book?

“Vagabond House” and “Irregular People.”

What is important in relationships?

“Apologies, even if you don’t think you were wrong.”

What do you wish you’d never found out?

“How cruel people can be to one another. And that some of my classmates were killed in action.”

What others say about Overturf

“Clancy is my hero, and an inspiration to this entire department. He is always there in a pinch. At the Island County Fair, Clancy gets up before most of us are out of bed and drives the fire department water tanker to water down all the roads and the arena each morning. His age doesn’t hold him back, even on the ropes course. He climbed the 40-foot pole with the rest of us. He volunteers in countless ways quietly and without fanfare. What I wish for everyone is what Clancy seems to have found in life — health, the desire to contribute and the ability to smile and have fun.”

— Don Smith, chief of Fire District 3

“Clancy inspires us all to be there for your family and take the time to help your neighbors and community. And to speak and act kindly.”

— John and Winnie McLeod, Langley

“He loves kids. He’s a wonderful neighbor and fireman. If you want a happy retirement, be eternally young, do service for others, and do random acts of kindness every day.”

— Holly Schoenknecht, a neighbor

“He comes home from visiting — and I’m sure helping — his children, then returns to our neighborhood looking for good things to do here. I’ll look out and notice my yard waste has disappeared, just an example of his many acts of kindness. we help each other, but we all get the ‘lion’s share’ from Clancy.”

— Mary Torvik, a neighbor

“He has a terrific sense of humor and is not above a good practical joke.”

— Everyone who knows him