Two Goldsby volunteer firefighters died early Friday, March 20, while responding to a structure fire in McClain County, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol has confirmed.

The OHP said they responded to a call at 3:17 a.m., where a Goldsby Fire Department tanker had overturned and struck a tree. The truck was eastbound on Redbud Road when the crash occurred around SE 12th Avenue.

OHP confirmed the victims as Bryan Jenkins, 63, who served as fire chief of the Goldsby Fire Department, and Todd Pendleton, 62, a longtime journalist with The Oklahoman.

The Town of Goldsby shared on Friday morning the news of the deaths.

"The loss of these individuals is devastating to our town and the entire firefighting community. We ask that you please keep their families and our first responders in your thoughts and prayers during this unimaginably difficult time," the town shared on Facebook.

Friday afternoon, a processional of fire trucks and police vehicles escorted the fallen firefighters from the medical examiner's office in Oklahoma City through Goldsby to funeral homes in Purcell, Oklahoma.

American flags waved along both sides of Goldsby's Main Avenue as friends and family gathered to pay their respects.

Goldsby is a tight-knit community, many of the spectators said as they watched the processional travel by, and the loss of Pendleton and Jenkins will be deeply felt.

Ronda Farrow, widow of another fallen firefighter, carried a sign reading "5555," which references the longstanding tradition of signaling five measured dashes four times when a firefighter died in the line of duty.

"When I lost my husband, they were the first ones that knocked on my front door. So this is close to home," Farrow said. "My heart goes out to them and their families."

Cary Bryant, McClain County Sheriff's Office deputy and public information officer, said that the loss of Pendleton and Jenkins is a hard hit for the community.

"These two veterans are friends and family of people who live here and other firefighters. A volunteer fire department is a very close-knit community in itself, and when you lose one, it's horrible. When you lose two, the pain isn't even double; it's worse than that," Bryant said Friday afternoon.

Pendleton was a 12-year veteran firefighter and EMT in his hometown. In addition to his volunteer work, Pendleton was a graphic journalist for The Oklahoman, where he had worked for nearly four decades.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Robyn, three sons in their 30s, Ethan, Evan and Erik, and five grandchildren.

"We are devastated by the loss of Todd and his colleague, Chief Jenkins," said Ray Rivera, executive editor of The Oklahoman. "Todd loved his work as a firefighter, and, as a journalist, he was one of the most talented, kindest people any of us have ever worked with. Our hearts go out to both families."

Pendleton graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in commercial art and worked for a time as a freelance artist.

More: See some of Todd Pendleton's latest political cartoons, art in The Oklahoman

He joined The Oklahoman in 1988, working first in the advertising art department. He transferred to the editorial department a year later, where he worked on illustrations and cartoons for the opinion and news pages of the paper. In 2004, he was named art director.

"There are many bylines and photo credits throughout The Oklahoman everyday. But a name you might have missed was Todd Pendleton. Behind beautiful graphics, you would see Todd's name in small letters. He brought light, color and context to the newspaper," said Kelly Dyer Fry, former editor and publisher of The Oklahoman.

"He was beloved by all. On a regular basis, Todd would come to work after spending a long night as a volunteer fireman. He never missed a beat in his job. No matter what you asked of Todd, his answer was often 'Let me see what I can do.' Then he delivered."

Pendleton also taught a Graphics in Journalism class as an adjunct professor at the University of Oklahoma from 2010 to 2014. He was one of the pioneers in making the transition from hand-drawn art to digital illustration and graphic design.

Bryan Jenkins, 64, served in various capacities in Norman, Cleveland County and McClain County. Jenkins began working for Cleveland County in 1987 and further managed the fairgrounds starting in 2014.

"He was a public servant full of courage, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to those around him. He was also a dedicated first responder who served with courage and honor," said Alysa Moore, director of communications with Cleveland County.

Jenkins was a retired firefighter before volunteering for the Goldsby Fire Department as fire chief, with 35 years serving as a firefighter. He graduated from Norman High School and received a business degree from Rose State College.

He is survived by his wife, Sandy, and their three children, Brittany, Brandy and Brent, and two grandchildren.

"These firefighters have spent their lives in the service of their community. They served alongside their family, friends and neighbors. We in the Town of Goldsby mourn their loss and honor their memory," the town shared on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Two Goldsby firefighters killed in tanker crash include Oklahoman journalist