They've experienced back drafts and burns all while saving lives, but on Tuesday morning, a 117-year family fire fighting tradition comes to an end.

Danny Loveless is the last in a long line of Provo firefighters that traces back to his great-grandfather. His last 48-hour shift ends at 7 a.m. Tuesday morning.

At his retirement celebration Monday, stories about Loveless were traded by family, friends and fellow firefighters, who are more like family members than co-workers.

His wife, Karen, said Loveless was always willing to selflessly serve, and was aware that whenever they got a call, he knew that "they're going to someone's worst day."

While the lifestyle can be difficult on a family, Karen said that she has become accustomed to it, and the firehouse is something of a second home.

Firemen and their families even hold family Home Evening at the firehouse on Monday nights -- a night traditionally set aside for family time by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Humble and abashed by the attention, Loveless insisted that it's time to make room for new firefighters. It's time for an "old geezer" like him to move on, he said.

Keith Hall, who has worked with Loveless since he joined the fire department, said that he wished Loveless would stay on for another year so that they could retire together.

"You can't get better than him," Hall said.

Loveless was presented with a decorative ax by the department as a token of his 30 years of distinguished service.

Choking up briefly, Loveless spoke of his predecessors, spoke of honor and the great good that has come from his association with that department. Above all, Loveless hoped that his service had matched the standard set by his family.

The memory and mention of his father brought a reverent change to Loveless' otherwise smiling face.

"I felt I could never measure up to what kind of man he was," he said.

Those who knew him said that there could have been no better man to represent the end of that line.

Loveless, by his wife's account, loves attention, but isn't the type to seek after it.

She recounted a story that he himself never told her, though it was one that Loveless' compatriots felt should be well sung.

Some 15 years ago, Loveless and a crew of firefighters were driving up Squaw Peak in their fire truck when a snowstorm began to rage. The large engine was slipping from the road towards the steep, sheer cliff sides.

The gap between precipice and the engine grew swiftly smaller, and men began to jump off the enormous vehicle.

Loveless stayed at the wheel, and the rig stayed on the mountain. Karen recalls being told that no one else could have hoped to keep that engine on the road.

Danger, though, is something that the whole family can appreciate.

They were raised with Loveless' hobby: Speedboat racing. Loveless holds the record for the fastest unencapsulated speedboat at just over 131 miles per hour, according to his son, Carl.

Carl has since taken over as the driver, but he's been forbidden to attempt to break that record.

Danelle Larsen, Loveless' daughter, says that he instilled a love for the sport in all of them.

But for all the storytelling, and all the praise, Loveless seemed mostly interested in his family, toting his grandson to and fro, smiling in pictures and promising old friends that he would return.

He has 10 children -- five of his own, and another five who came with his current wife.

For them, growing up with a firefighter for a father was exciting and fun. Two of his daughters, Larsen and Marcia Ivie, recall going on calls with their dad, riding on the fire trucks and sliding down the fire pole.

They said that when their dad was out working near their house, they would hear loud booms at the door, and he would stick his head in and keep them in check.

He'll now have a great deal more time to watch his grandchildren play, but at the Provo Fire Department, memories of the Loveless legacy will endure.

Nathan Johnson can be reached at 344-2543 or at njohnson@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.