By Taylor Croft, Caroline Silva
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Many have described Preston Fant’s bravery and heroics as a DeKalb County firefighter — the first to die in the line of duty.
Perhaps fewer knew he was also a talented baker.
At his Fire Station 24, when he wasn’t out saving lives, Fant was baking monkey bread, brownies, cinnamon rolls or the “legendary Fant cookies” for his fellow firefighters, said Capt. Jake Sosebee, who worked around him for 20 years and alongside him for eight.
“He would pull it from the oven with a smile on his face,” Sosebee said at Thursday’s memorial service.
Fant died after battling a fire at a film warehouse on Sept. 8 in which he became trapped in the blaze while trying to rescue another firefighter, officials said.
Between baking tasty treats and fighting fires, Fant also helped work on cars for the crew, installing lights, speakers and radios and helping with all kinds of tasks.
“If you mentioned a project at the firehouse, you’d look up and there he was, ready to help, tools in hand,” Sosebee said. “If Preston knew you needed help, he was there — no questions asked.”
Hundreds of metro Atlanta firefighters, from departments across several counties, gathered to honor the 53-year-old at Truist Park.
Photos: Funeral for Master Firefighter Preston Fant
An image of DeKalb County firefighter Preston Fant is shown on a large screen following the memorial service for Fant at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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A U.S. flag is held by fire department trucks over Windy Ridge Parkway as DeKalb County firetrucks travel away from Truist Park after a memorial service for DeKalb County firefighter Preston Fant on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
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The hearse carrying DeKalb County firefighter Preston Fant leaves the field following the memorial service at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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DeKalb County firefighters carry the casket of Preston Fant during a memorial service at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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The casket of fallen DeKalb firefighter Preston Fant is shown during the memorial service for Fant at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
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A metro Atlanta firefighter places his hand on the casket of fallen DeKalb firefighter Preston Fant during a memorial service at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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Fire rescue equipment is shown at the casket of fallen DeKalb County firefighter Preston Fant during a memorial service for Fant at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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A firefighter carries a program with the images of fallen DeKalb firefighter Preston Fant during his memorial service at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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A member of the DeKalb County fire department greets other firefighters during the memorial service for fallen DeKalb firefighter Preston Fant at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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A Metro Atlanta firefighter reacts during the memorial service for DeKalb firefighter Preston Fant at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
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Firefighters from the metro Atlanta area line up to for the start of the memorial service for fallen DeKalb firefighter Preston Fant at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
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A member of the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Honor Guard gives Leigh Fant, the wife of Preston Fant, a proclamation honoring her late husband during the memorial service at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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A woman reacts as she visits the casket of fallen DeKalb firefighter Preston Fant during a memorial service for Fant at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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Members of the public react during a memorial service for fallen DeKalb firefighter Preston Fant at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
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DeKalb County fire Chief Darnell Fullum speaks during the memorial service for DeKalb County firefighter Preston Fant at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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Metro Atlanta firefighters stand during the service for fallen DeKalb firefighter Preston Fant at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
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A woman reacts during the memorial service for DeKalb firefighter Preston Fant at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
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Motorcycle officers salute during the closing of the memorial service for DeKalb firefighter Preston Fant at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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Metro Atlanta firefighters and members of the community pray during a memorial service for fallen DeKalb County firefighter Preston Fant at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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DeKalb County fire Capt. Jake Sosebee gets emotional as he speaks about DeKalb firefighter Preston Fant during a memorial service at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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A DeKalb County firefighter has a black band over his badge in memory of fallen DeKalb firefighter Preston Fant during Fant’s memorial service at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
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Leigh Fant, the wife of fallen DeKalb County firefighter Preston Fant, receives medals during the memorial service at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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Leigh Fant, the wife of Preston Fant, reacts after receiving a proclamation honoring her late husband during the memorial service for fallen DeKalb County firefighter Preston Fant at Truist Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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“It’s amazing the amount of brotherhood that there is in this place,” pastor Matt Perry said during the afternoon service’s opening remarks.
Fire personnel, donning uniforms and suits, walked single file onto the field, pausing by Fant’s casket.
Some kneeled or bowed their heads. Some nodded in respect or held their hands over their hearts as they walked by. Others kissed their hands and touched an American flag covering the casket.
Photos of Fant — showcasing his work as a fireman through the years and highlighting special family moments — filled the large screen above the field while instrumental music played.
In a recorded video message, Fant’s wife, Leigh, shared that they met while working at a grocery store, she as a cashier and he as a produce clerk. The romance eventually led to 27 years of marriage.
“My heart aches because you are gone. You are my soulmate,” Leigh Fant said. “Preston, I pray as you look down from heaven today that you will see the incredible impact you made in your life and how much you are loved. Your kindness, strength and humility touched everyone you encountered. You are my hero.”
In addition to his wife, Fant is survived by five children and one granddaughter, as well as his father and brother, according to his obituary. The family sat in the front row during the service and were presented with roses and several medals and honors for Fant.
Percy Dixon, Fant’s son-in-law ,who spoke on behalf of the family, said some described Fant as strong, courageous, brave and humble. Others even called him Superman — a fitting nickname, Dixon said humorously, because even at his age, Fant still had a six-pack, and “he was extremely proud of it.”
DeKalb Fire Chief Darnell Fullum called him a hero.
“Preston had the heart of a public servant,” Fullum said. He later added that, although the exact circumstances of Fant’s death may never be fully known, “he would never let anyone be left behind.”
During the ceremony, county CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson issued a proclamation to recognize Sept. 18, 2025, as “Master Firefighter Fant Day .”
The service included a radio call-out and fading sirens as well as a last alarm and bell ceremony. Firefighters in the crowd dabbed their eyes as the firetruck sirens rang out throughout the stadium.
Gov. Brian Kemp ordered flags at the state Capitol and in Cobb and DeKalb counties to be lowered to half-staff on Thursday in his honor.
A GoFundMe campaign, launched to help support Fant’s family, has raised more than $78,000.
He is the first DeKalb firefighter to die in the line of duty and the 58th firefighter to be killed in the line of duty this year in the U.S. and the first in Georgia, according to data from the U.S. Fire Administration.
This is the second large public memorial service for a DeKalb first responder in the past month. After police officer David Rose was killed in the Aug. 8 attack on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hundreds of mourners, county officials and Kemp gathered to say goodbye Aug. 22.
After Thursday’s funeral, Fant’s processional traveled from Truist Park to Kennesaw Memorial Park for a private graveside service.
One of the projects Fant spearheaded at Fire Station 24 was building an outdoor covered deck where the crew could sit, rain or shine, Sosebee said in his eulogy.
“That deck will stand for years, and every time we sit out there, we’ll remember him,” Sosebee said. “Today, let’s remember Preston the way he lived: his courage, his kindness, sharing his knowledge, food and laughter, making sure everything and everyone was cared for, working hard and helping harder.”
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