'Will be missed': Georgia man Thomas Hawk dies after heroically saving 12-year-old son from raging fire
MORGAN COUNTY, GEORGIA: A heroic Georgia father tragically died while saving the life of his 12-year-old son during a raging fire that destroyed their home. Thomas Hawk died on Friday, December 16, at the family’s home off Highway 83 after saving his son Eric Hawk.
Thomas was next door at his father Tommy’s place when he received a phone call from Eric saying that their house is filling with smoke and he could not get out. The frantic father then threw the phone and ran to save his child. He raced to the carport entrance and entered the burning house to get his son out. Eric’s grandfather pulled him out of the house.
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Thomas’s wife Amanda Hawk said the father was found deceased in the hallway right outside of his son’s bedroom door. She said the fire, which caused a total loss of their Bostwick residence, happened the day after her birthday. “Definitely one of the worst phone calls I have ever received,” Amanda said on Facebook. “Thomas Hawk will forever be my best friend, but now I call him my hero because he was trying to get to Eric,” she added. Amanda and her daughter Mackenzie Hawk went for Christmas shopping when the fire broke out.
Morgan County Fire Chief Jeff Stone told WBS-TV Atlanta Channel 2 that the 12-year-old was airlifted to Augusta Medical’s burn center after suffering significant smoke inhalation. Amanda recently stated that Eric’s lung damage has been cleared and he will be discharged from the hospital soon. However, Thomas" cause of death has not been released. But Chief Stone believes that it is likely that “smoke and heat inhalation” killed him before any flames reached him, according to Morgan County Citizen.
The tragic death of the father has left his family and friends devastated. Thomas’ friends described him as a family man who loved his wife and two children more than anything. He was also known in for coaching 4-H archery in Morgan County. “Upon meeting him for the first time, it was like talking with an old friend. Thomas enjoyed coaching the youth in archery and spending time with them,” Leigh Matthews wrote in a GoFundMe page. “He was always ‘living another day in paradise’, and LOVED cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs. While he was a ‘family man’ Thomas also was a best friend to everyone. He always offered to help anyone and everyone. Thomas will be missed by all that knew him,” the statement added.
Amanda is asking the community to pray for her son Eric as he recovers and her daughter Mackenzie, who is a Morgan County High School (MCHS) senior. “She is devastated and is taking it hard. Anyone that knows her knows how much of a daddy’s girl she is. Honestly, all I need right now is prayers for healing for Eric and prayers for comfort for Mackenzie,” she said.