Visitation begins at 1 p.m. at Truist Park before the 2 p.m. funeral service. Fant will be buried at Kennesaw Memorial Park.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Master Firefighter Preston Lee Fant, a 21-year veteran of DeKalb County Fire Rescue, will be laid to rest Thursday, Sept. 18, following a public funeral service at Truist Park.
Fant, 53, died in the line of duty on Sept. 8 while battling a warehouse fire in Lithonia. He was trying to rescue a fellow firefighter when he became trapped inside the burning structure. Officials said he was rushed to Grady Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
A public visitation and viewing will begin at 1 p.m. at Truist Park, followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. He will then be laid to rest at Kennesaw Memorial Park.
The service will also be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person.
A procession to Truist Park happened around noon. You can re-watch it in the YouTube player below.
Fant was born Jan. 18, 1972, in Marietta and raised in Mableton. He graduated from Pebblebrook High School, where he wrestled and developed the discipline that would define both his career and life.
He served at Station 24 for his entire fire service career and earned certifications in swiftwater rescue, trench rescue, structural collapse, and high-angle rope operations. He was widely known for his calm leadership under pressure and his commitment to protecting others.
Outside of his career, Fant was a devoted family man, husband, father of five, and grandfather. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, restoring cars, watching the Atlanta Braves, building homes, and gathering with friends and family around bonfires.
“He was the very definition of a firefighter: brave, selfless, and unwavering in his commitment to others,” his obituary reads.
Fant was a man of faith and a member of Burnt Hickory Baptist Church. His family said his faith, family, and service shaped the legacy he leaves behind.
He is survived by:
- His wife, Leigh Fant
- His five children: Sara (Percy), Ginger (Chandler), Timothy, Amber and Nathan
- His granddaughter, Harper
- His father, Tommy Fant
- His brother, Chris (Kristi) Fant
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation at www.firehero.org.
Funeral Details:
- Visitation (Lying in State):
Thursday, Sept. 18 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Truist Park, 755 Battery Ave, Atlanta, GA 30339 - Funeral Service:
Thursday, Sept. 18 | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Livestream will be available - Graveside Burial:
Following the service at Kennesaw Memorial Park
Procession
from funeral
A funeral procession honoring Fant will leave Truist Park and travel through Marietta.
The procession is expected to start around 3:30 p.m. It will head down I-75 North, N Marietta Parkway and Whitlock Avenue.
GDOT is doing scheduled road work in the right lane on I-75 NB north of Barrett Parkway (Exit 269) that is not scheduled to clear until 4 p.m. Officials told 11Alive there is no plan to break down the work zone early. This will likely add to the backups on I-75 NB during the afternoon rush.
The procession is anticipated to impact Marietta traffic between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., and drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and use alternate routes.
While he will be laid to rest during a private graveside service, the community can to view the funeral procession as it passes.