Metro Atlanta’s firefighters and the community are coming together Thursday for a memorial service at Truist Park to honor a longtime DeKalb firefighter — the county’s first to die in the line of duty.
Master Firefighter Preston Fant, 53, died Sept. 8 after battling a fire at a film company warehouse. He became trapped in the blaze while trying to rescue another firefighter, officials said.
The 21-year firefighting veteran lay in repose at the stadium before a memorial service began at 2 p.m.
“It’s amazing the amount of brotherhood that there is in this place,” Pastor Matt Perry said during opening remarks.
Perry described Fant as selfless, dedicated and faithful.
Fire personnel from multiple counties, donning professional uniforms and suits, made their way into the stadium to honor their fallen colleague. Uniformed firefighters walked single file onto the field’s track, pausing by Fant’s casket, before making their way to their seats.
Some kneeled or bowed their heads. Some nodded in respect or held their hands over their hearts as they walked by. Others kissed their hand 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 together at a grocery store. It eventually led them to 27 years of marriage.
“I’m not really sure how to do life without you, but I know that you’ll be guiding me along the way,” Leigh Fant said.
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, who said he did not get to know Fant as well as some, called him a hero, nonetheless.
“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.”
Having worked around Fant for 20 years and alongside him for nearly a decade, Capt. Jake Sosebee said Fant was the type of firefighter you’d want beside you. He said Fant had a “memory like an elephant,” with the ability to recall just about every fire he had ever been called to.
“Preston Fant, you are loved. We’ll miss your skills, your kindness, your love and, yes, those cookies,” Sosebee said while holding back tears. Sosebee recounted the several baked goods his friend would make, including cookies, monkey bread, brownies and cinnamon rolls.
During the funeral ceremony, county CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson issued a proclamation to recognize Sept. 18, 2025, as “Master Firefighter Fant Day.”
Credit: DeKalb County Fire Department
Credit: DeKalb County Fire Department
The ceremony will include a radio call-out and fading sirens, bagpipes, the presentation of medals and the firefighter memorial flag, the last alarm and bell ceremony, and a helicopter flyover, according to DeKalb County.
Gov. Brian Kemp ordered flags at the state Capitol and in Cobb and DeKalb counties be lowered to half-staff Thursday in his honor.
Credit: City of Marietta
Credit: City of Marietta
After the service, at about 3:30 p.m., a procession will accompany his body to Kennesaw Memorial Park in Marietta for a private graveside service, according to officials. The motorcade will travel along I-75 North, North Marietta Parkway and Whitlock Avenue. Community members are invited to pay their respects along the route. Marietta officials said they expect traffic delays until 5 p.m. and urged motorists to use alternate roads.
Fant was “overcome by fire conditions” while fighting last week’s fire as nearly three dozen crews worked to put out the blaze in a South Stone Mountain Lithonia Road warehouse that housed Digital Thunderdome, an independent film production studio used for movies and music videos.
Credit: Ben Hendren
Credit: Ben Hendren
Firefighters pulled Fant out of the fire and rushed him to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he died.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by five children and one granddaughter, as well as his father and brother, according to his obituary.
Credit: Ben Hendren
Credit: Ben Hendren
A GoFundMe campaign, launched to help support his family, has raised more than $77,000.
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.
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