Children name fire engine ‘Big Red’ to honor Hattiesburg coach, former Natchez High athlete who died

Published 11:04 am Sunday, May 27, 2018

HATTIESBURG (AP) — A third-grade class in Mississippi has chosen a name for a local fire engine.

The truck in Hattiesburg will be called “Big Red” in honor of Derek “Red” Jarvis. He coached football for Hattiesburg High School before his death in early May.

Jarvis was a standout athlete and an alumnus of Natchez High School.

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A contest was held to name the truck, and it was won by a class at Grace Christian Elementary School.

Teacher Cathy Clark says she’s proud and a little emotional that her students picked a meaningful name.

The students got to tour the fire engine and shoot water from the hose.