Georgia community mourns firefighter, grandfather who died of COVID-19

[SPECIAL SECTION: Coronavirus Pandemic in Georgia]

Boone joined the U.S. Army Reserves after high school before joining the fire department in Macon, where he worked for 25 years. He joined Monroe County Emergency Services, working as a firefighter and emergency responder on a part-time basis in 2016 before moving to full-time in 2018.

Boone was married to his wife and high school sweetheart Sharon for 32 years. The couple had one daughter, who tragically died in a car accident at age 19. The Boones went on to raise their granddaughter, Nyjhae, who is now 12.

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Sharon Boone said Harold and Nyjhae had an especially close bond.

“That’s his heart,” Sharon Boone said of her granddaughter.

Sharon Boone said she wasn’t able to see her husband for the last month of his life due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“Sadly, she only was able to talk to him one time on the phone while he was in the hospital when he told her he had requested to be put on a ventilator, but she said they were able to exchange “I love yous” during that final call,” firefighters wrote on Facebook.

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Sharon Boone said Harold and Nyjhae had an especially close bond.

“That’s his heart,” Sharon Boone said of her granddaughter.

Sharon Boone said she wasn’t able to see her husband for the last month of his life due to COVID-19 restrictions.

"Sadly, she only was able to talk to him one time on the phone while he was in the hospital when he told her he had requested to be put on a ventilator, but she said they were able to exchange “I love yous” during that final call," firefighters wrote on Facebook.

Monroe County Emergency Services Chief Matthew Jackson said of Boone’s death:

“Our department is truly devastated by the passing of Firefighter Harold Boone. Harold was an exemplary employee who was highly respected throughout this department and the community. One of our volunteers told us last night that Harold was the reason he wanted to be a part of the fire service and he looked at Harold as his mentor. I have no doubt that there are many other persons who are firefighters today because of the example Harold set and the mentoring he gave to new firefighters over his long career in the fire service. Harold loved to make people laugh, and he will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Boone and his family during this difficult time.”