It’s been three weeks since a devastating house fire in Blythe claimed the lives of 80-year-olds Carole and Henry Logan. As fire crews worked through the early hours of Dec. 2 to extinguish the blaze, the community would soon learn that this quiet, well-loved couple had been taken far too soon.
While the tragedy itself was a heart-wrenching loss, the Logans’ background – one that spanned a lifetime of love, dedication to family and service to their community – deserved far more attention than the brief news report on the fire itself. Now, with the release of their obituaries and the memories shared by their children and grandchildren, their story can be told more fully.
David “Henry” Logan, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, was known to many for his infectious smile, his deep laughter, and his warm, welcoming spirit. A longtime chemical operator at International Paper, he worked for over three decades before retiring, but his true passion was cooking and hosting family gatherings. According to his obituary, he had a special knack for making people feel loved, whether through a shared meal or simply through his presence.
Carole Logan, born in Augusta just a year after her husband, spent her life nurturing others in a variety of ways. A longtime employee of the U.S. Postal Service, she later became a full-time homemaker. But it was her advocacy for the deaf community that stood out as a cornerstone of her life’s work. A member of the deaf community herself, Carole used her voice to lift up others and create a sense of belonging for those who might otherwise feel isolated. The Logans’ shared commitment to family, faith, and the well-being of others reflected the depth of their bond, which had started in 1972 when David learned sign language to better communicate with Carole during their courtship.
The fire that claimed their lives was a tragic and untimely end to a love story that spanned more than 50 years. The fire started in the living room, where they had been using a wood-burning fireplace and propane-powered heaters.
According to Augusta Fire Department officials, crews arrived to find the home engulfed in flames, with heavy smoke and about 75% of the house involved. Firefighters attempted a rescue, but had to retreat as the home became structurally unsafe. The cause was determined to be accidental, and investigators noted the absence of smoke detectors and a fire suppression system. A survivor, who escaped, reported being unable to assist the couple due to thick smoke.
In the aftermath of the fire, the couple’s passing did not receive as much public attention as one might expect, given their extraordinary lives. Yet, as their children – Mary Bryant, Amanda Rybicki, and Victoria Troglen – have shared, the couple’s legacy is one of joy and unwavering devotion.
“They created a home filled with laughter, kindness, and a sense of belonging,” their obituary reads, adding that their “love for their family was unwavering.”
Despite the grief, their children and grandchildren are determined to keep their memory alive by focusing on the good they brought to the world. “We ask that you remember them not for the way their lives ended, but for the way they were lived,” their obituary requests – a powerful reflection of the couple’s enduring spirit.
The family encourages donations in their memory to the Deaf Seniors of Georgia and to Breast Cancer Research, both of which were causes near and dear to the Logans.
