TEMPLE, TX — Veteran Temple firefighter LeRoy Vargas was recently in the hospital for a month, fighting cancer for a second time. His wife was primarily taking care of the home while he received medical help.
During his absence, he noticed his trashcan kept being brought back to his house from the curb.
But Vargas had no idea who was helping.
"I would come home after a hard day of 8 hours of chemo to find the trashcan put next to the house, so I thought that was very kind of whoever is doing it," Vargas said.
Months later, the Vargas family received a Ring door bell notification, and finally caught the good deed-doer in the act. City worker Michael Johnson was behind this gesture of kindness.
Johnson, a City of Temple Waste Management employee, heard through the grapevine that Vargas was going through another round of chemotherapy treatments and wanted to help out in any way possible.
"I thought I could just help him out a little bit and remain anonymous," Johnson laughed.
Johnson explained to 25 News he was tipped off by Vargas' fellow firefighters.
"I love brother LeRoy, I do," Johnson said.
Both men served the City of Temple for decades, and they said they want the other to receive all the recognition.
"He is a very religious man, and he's a very kind man, and I really appreciate that about him" Vargas said.
"He called me a blessing, but he's been a blessing to me," Johnson said.
Now in remission, Vargas and Johnson have started a friendship in the most unexpected way.
Thankful to have crossed into each others lives, this act of kindness was anything but random.
