A house fire in Woodcreek North last month put Army veteran Lewis Jones on the street in his wheelchair.
The fire on Aug. 19 completely destroyed his home and its contents, leaving him homeless, without identification and other important papers and wearing the clothes on his back. While neighbors called Wimberley Fire and Rescue, Jones got out of the house and to safety. Fortunately, the water hydrant nearby had water, and firefighters fought diligently to keep the flames from jumping to neighboring homes. Unfortunately, nine of the pet cats that Jones cared for died in the fire.
Since surviving stomach cancer and his wife’s transfer to Deer Creek several years ago, the soft-spoken Jones has quietly lived alone and remained a neighborhood constant who could be counted on for conversation and a friendly wave.
While the cause is yet undetermined, Jones believes the fire was electrical and said he “could hear it whooshing through the attic.”
While Jones may have lost everything, including a new wheelchair, a prosthetic leg, a cherished Harley motorcycle and the vintage bicycle parts he used to repair bikes he gave away, he has gained the help, support and friendship of his Woodcreek neighbors and a network of Wimberley services.
Neighbors helped bury the pets and have worked to replace his birth certificate and Veterans Administration paperwork, military ID card and other proof of his existence so that he can access his benefits. Other neighbors have helped him reestablish telephone, utility and internet accounts. My Neighbor’s Keeper came out the night of the fire with funds so that he could get immediate lodging. The Veterans of Foreign Wars in Wimberley, Post 6441, has lent support as have the Crisis Food Bank, Barnabas Connection and other individuals and organizations.
The biggest hurdle Jones faces now is finding a place to live until he can make decisions about his future. Since the fire, he has moved twice and neither were properties suitable for a wheelchair user or his lap cats Kitty Boy and Nosey. He has found that apartments are at a premium in Wimberley.
“Not only are rents expensive,” he said, “but the application process is remote and not designed for previous homeowners.”
Neighbor and friend Bethany Hanna says that it’s hard to watch Jones’ funds “get eaten up with hotel lodging rates.” She hopes by sharing his story, Wimberley residents will come forward to help her friend with donations and a place to live.
When asked how he is managing his upheaval, he approached the question philosophically, saying, “Everyone faces problems [in their lives],” and was quick to thank his neighbors and friends like Hanna.
Ozona Bank has set up a Fund Lewis Jones account. Any teller can take donations of cash or checks at the main bank from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the week or their motor bank across the street from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Saturdays the motor bank is open from 8 a.m. to noon. A Go Fund Me page has also been set up for Jones set up at gofundme. com. Key in Lewis Jones in the search bar and it will take you to the page.
