Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations American Red Cross Assistance for Bob Lusk

Bob Lusk & his family lost their home & basically everything they own in a tragic fire on Tuesday, 11/8/05. He has given so much to us all over the years, & now we have the opportunity to help him out in his time of need. I'm one of Bob's neighbors on Maverick Drive, in Gordonville, TX.

I was with Bob for a short time during the fire on Tuesday afternoon, watching an army of volunteer fire fighters trying to save his home while 20-30 MPH winds were working against the effort. Bob was debating whether or not to grant a TV interview while all of this was going on, & was incredibly stoic.

Two days later, all that's left is a lone 2 1/2 story stone fireplace/chimney, & other still smoldering debris. Following is an article from our local paper on the fire:

"Local News
Sherman Herald Democrat

By Mary Jane Farmer

GORDONVILLE - A Grayson County family has been burned out of its home, another in a series of home fires during the last month in Fannin and Grayson counties that destroyed residences and left people homeless.

Tuesday's fire was at 602 Maverick, a cul de sac off FM 901 and north of Whitesboro. Officials said the Bob Lusk family hadn't lived there a long time, but lost many of their memorabilia to the fire. The residents at home got out to safety, including their dog, and Bob Lusk returned while firefighters were attempting to extinguish the fire. The home collapsed. Lusk's family at the home consists of his wife, two young teen-agers, and, at the time of the fire, a toddler grandchild was also there.

The heaviest flames were coming out the roof when firefighters arrived, said Jeff Patterson of the Whitesboro Fire Department, who acted as incident commander.

Firefighters at the scene said that what the builder used for insulation is what continued to fuel flames in spite of their efforts. They found that straw bales had been placed in the thick walls' cavities, causing flames to spread more rapidly than expected. Patterson explained that because of the straw, the flames could spread downward.

Gordonville Fire Department was the lead agency. Helping were firefighters from other volunteer agencies, including Collinsville, Whitesboro, Southmmayd, Sadler, Sherwood Shores, Callisburg, and Gunter, Lebanon and Wills-Po, Okla. Other agencies, like Tioga FD and Sherman FD stood by in those towns to cover them.

With the lack of immediately available fire hydrants, Patterson said they got about 120,000 gallons of water out of a pond behind the house. They also used another approximate 15,000 gallons shuttled in by the aiding agencies' tankers, who dumped their transported water into a makeshift tank. Doing those shuffles allowed them to keep a steady water supply on hand.

It took several hours to extinguish the fire, and Gordonville firefighters stayed on scene until nearly dawn, watching for and putting out flare-ups. Even Wednesday afternoon, smoke coming out showed that there was still smoldering in the rubbish piles, a situation firefighters kept a vigilance on for everyone's safety.

Patterson said they returned Wednesday afternoon and were able to find some of the family's pictures in the ashes. Also, Whitesboro FD's chaplain, Brother Hart, went to the scene to talk and counsel with the family during the turmoil, as did the Lusks' own minister, Patterson said.

The cause and origin will be determined by the insurance agency, Patterson said.

The American Red Cross is helping the Lusk family and anyone who wants to assist can contact the Red Cross."

I contacted the Red Cross helping Bob, & if you wish to make a donation that is designated for him
it should be sent to:

American Red Cross
2527 Hwy 691
Denison, TX 75020

Make sure that you send a cover note stating who the donation is for, and that your check memo reads: "For Bob Lusk Family of Gordonville, TX" They assured me that, with that notation, 100% of the donation will go to Bob.

Please feel free to contact the Grayson County Chapter of the American Red Cross directly if you have any questions: 903-465-1330.

I'm sure Bob & family will greatly appreciate your prayers, moral & financial support.

Marty Anderson

I talked to Cathy at the PB office. She is checking on several matters and should let us know on Monday what is the best way for us to help. We do not need to do something that will duplicate what is already covered or is not needed by Bob's family. Let's give Cathy and the Lusk's till then to tell us what is best. ewest