Greenbrier Man Dies After 3-Week Battle for Life Following Devastating House Fire
GREENBRIER, TENNESSEE (Smokey Barn News) – Garry Wallace Cohea, the Greenbrier man who was critically injured in a house fire on November 27, 2024, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at TriStar Skyline Medical Center. He was 78 years old.
Mr. Cohea, who was the sole occupant of his home on Worsham Springs Road, suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation in the blaze. Despite a courageous fight for his life following the fire, which left him hospitalized for three weeks, Mr. Cohea succumbed to his injuries. The fire, which broke out shortly after midnight on November 27, completely destroyed his home.
Firefighters from Greenbrier, Springfield, and Ridgetop were called to the scene, where they found the house fully engulfed in flames. Mr. Cohea narrowly escaped the fire, assisted by a neighbor who pulled him to safety moments before the house was fully consumed by the flames. According to Robertson County EMS Director Brent Dyer, Mr. Cohea’s condition was critical upon arrival at the hospital. Gary’s family released the following statement regarding his passing. “Gary my brother and myself worked the farm fields when we were younger. Gary was always the hardest worker of all of us. His laugh unmistakable, his loyalty trusted. He loved all of his family dearly and would do anything he could to help in his community. I’m grateful for Wayne and Elaine Holman who was by Gary’s side through the whole part of this tragedy. Gary will be missed dearly but never forgotten.” RIP Cousin Dwight
Mr. Cohea was born on June 14, 1946, in Springfield to the late Wallace Stratton Cohea and Blanche Droughon Cohea. He was a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture and worked as a Clerk 3 for the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
In his memory, a funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield, with Pastor Nathan Barnes officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Austin & Bell Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Garry’s full online obituary can be viewed here. Below is Smokey’s video report on the night of the fire. CLICK HERE for our full original report.
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