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Brooklet man dies after being burned in a January house fire

Jesse Thomas, Jr., 64 of Brooklet, Georgia died last week from injuries sustained in a house fire in Brooklet on January 3 of this year. His funeral service will be Saturday, August 14. Hills Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Jesse Thomas, Jr.
Brooklet Fire

Jesse Thomas, Jr., 64 of Brooklet, Georgia died last week from injuries sustained in a house fire in Brooklet on January 3 of this year.  His funeral service will be Saturday, August 14.  Hills Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Jesse Thomas, Jr.
Jesse Thomas, Jr.

Mr. Thomas was one of three people inside the home when it caught fire.  The three were flown to Doctors Hospitals' burn unit in Augusta, Georgia.  Mr. Thomas was the most severely burned of the three.  Over 80% of his body received significant burns.  

The fire was believed to have been caused by an accelerant placed on a fire in a fireplace that exploded.

Mr. Thomas had spent over seven months in the hospital. A few weeks ago, Bulloch County Deputy Sheriff Pre Cone, who is Mr. Thomas’s daughter, reported that he was improving and they were optimistic he would return home soon.

The other two men in the home, Stephen Clarke and Dexter Bennett, have both been dismissed from the burn center and are still recovering from their injuries.

Heroic rescue and life saving efforts

Brooklet FIre Rescue

When firefighters arrived at the home around 9:30 am Sunday morning, January 3, 2021, they discovered the home was fully involved and reported that there were still people inside the home.

Air Evac and Lifestar on ground in Brooklet

Bulloch and Statesboro Fire departments made a daring rescue to save the three men from the fire.  Bulloch County EMS provided immediate life saving treatments to the men at the scene and flew all three by helicopter to the burn center.

Grice Connect sends our condolences to the Thomas family.

Below is Jesse Thomas' full obituary.

 Obituary for Mr. Jesse R. Thomas Jr.

Brooklet, GA

Mr. Jesse Row Thomas, Jr., was born January 9, 1957 to the late Mr. Jesse Row Thomas, Sr. and Mrs. Albertha Wilson Thomas in Hinesville, Georgia. Mr. Thomas transitioned from this earthly life on August 8, 2021 at Doctor's Hospital, Augusta, Georgia under the care of Heartland Hospice after a brief illness.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Ann Thomas, a brother, James Thomas (T.C.), a sister, Lena Pollard, and a grandson, Rodney Wilson, Jr.

Mr. Thomas was a graduate of Bradwell Institute, Class of 1977. He was an employee of MD Plastics and previously employed by W.M. Shepherd Lumber Company and Denmark's Furniture. He loved fishing, grilling, listening to music and most of all, he loved his family.

Mr. Thomas served in the United States Army from 1978 until he was discharged in 1991. On July 18, 2021, he accepted and received the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.

He leaves to cherish and celebrate his memory, one son, Rodney Wilson, Sr., Americus, Ga, two daughters, LaToya P. Wilson, Chesapeake, Va., and Prethenia Y. Cone, Brooklet, Ga., three grandchildren, Ashley Harrison, Shaquille Harrison and DaShaun Harrison, Virginia Beach, Va., one great-grandson, Kobe Wilson, Statesboro, Ga,. three sisters, Ms. Mamie Thomas, Ms. Albertha Knox of Hinesville, Ga. and Mrs. Betty Shellington and one brother-in-law, James Shellington, Sr. Fredericksburg, Va., a very special beautiful and loyal friend, Mrs. Gwen Ford, Swainsboro, Ga; a host of nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces other relatives and friends.

A walk-through viewing for Mr. Thomas will be held, Friday August 13, 2021 at Hill's Mortuary, Inc. from the hours of 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A graveside funeral service and burial will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, August 14, 2021 at the Bulloch Memorial Gardens with the Elder Donald Chavers, Jr., officiating.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing will be enforced at the funeral home and graveside services. We ask that you adhere to all CDC guidelines.

Final rites have been entrusted to Hill's Mortuary, Inc.