FIREFIGHTER MIKE CARLTON SUCCUMBS TO BONE CANCER

A man who spent over 20 years fighting fires lost his battle with bone cancer on Friday.

Mike Carlton, 50, died Friday afternoon at St. Louis University Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Carlton joined the Cape Girardeau Fire Department on Dec. 1, 1974, attaining the rank of captain in March 1987. In December of that year, he was injured fighting a fire that destroyed Southside Baptist Church.

Doctors discovered Carlton had bone cancer in early 1992. He spent the next several months negotiating with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri, trying to convince the company to pay for a bone marrow transplant. The company finally agreed and the transplant was performed in October 1992, with Carlton's twin brother, Ron "Ike" Carlton, providing the bone marrow.

Carlton returned to work just over a year later. His friends and coworkers said he never complained about his medical troubles.

Fire Chief Robert Ridgeway, who met Carlton soon after his first transplant, called him "an inspiration" to the fire department.

"He was quiet then and frail, but he was fighting to come back to work. His optimism and courage -- it couldn't be measured," Ridgeway said.

Capt. Gordon Morgan worked at Fire Station 3 with Carlton for many years. He characterized his friend as a hard-working, likable person.

"I never heard him complain, but I know he was hurting a lot of the time," Morgan said. "He was always ready to go out and fight a fire even though he didn't feel good."

Carlton underwent a second bone marrow transplant about three weeks ago and was convalescing when he died.

He is survived by his wife, Cheri, his two daughters, Laurie Needham and Jennifer Carlton, and several other friends and relatives. Chief Ridgeway said the fire department will participate in Carlton's funeral. Complete arrangements should be announced today.