DAYTON, Texas — A woman has died Sunday morning after being pulled out of a burning house by her son a week prior.
On October 12, 2023, Rob Flurry, 61, the former blacksmith at the Spindletop Gladys City Boomtown Museum rushed into his burning house to save his mom, Joann Shipman, 81.
HELP | You can donate to help the family defer expenses
HELP | Benefit happening Dec 1 at the Log On Cafe
Rob was taking care of his mother in Dayton when her home suddenly went up in flames.
Rob's son Terry Flurry called his dad a hero after his actions while the house was burning down.
First responders tried to restrain Rob but he ran back into the burning home, threw his mom over his shoulder, and carried her out.
"He went back into the building multiple times, disregarding and pushing through the EMS," Terry previously told 12News.
Nothing could stop Rob from saving his mother from the burning building.
"The last time he went in to get her out, he probably just grabbed her and whatever was still burning on her, so if it was blanket or clothes or what, I don't know. Probably grabbed her, threw her over his shoulder, and got her out of there," Terry previously said.
Rob was caring for Joann at her house in Dayton when their peaceful evening instantly went up in flames.
"The best we can figure is that the dog probably bumped the heater over onto a blanket that was maybe low-hanging, and it caught on fire, lit up into my grandmother's bed…and then everything just spread rapidly from there," Terry told 12News at the time.
Rob and Joann both suffered severe burns and had to be flown to Memorial Hermann in Houston.
Sadly, Joann died from her injuries October 15, 2023, according to Terry.
"My father, he hasn't been conscious since they got him to the hospital." Terry previously said. "They're dancing with third degree at this point, if they aren't already there."
Terry wonders what's next as he's facing this tragedy and an uncertain timeline for recovery.
"They have absolutely nothing. Absolutely nothing, including the home. They have no home. They have no vehicle. They have no clothes …the family dogs are gone," he said.
Rob worked with Spindletop as a blacksmith and he's well-known in the Southeast Texas arts community. Now Terry is asking the community for help.
"We're not people that ask for anything... In this time and with what's happened, we are asking for any assistance that we can get," Terry told 12News.
There will be a benefit to support Rob at Logon Cafe & Pub in Beaumont on December 1, 2023.
There will be a car and bike show, silent auction, live music and karaoke at the benefit according to the Wolford Hero Benefit Facebook page.
Terry has already established a GOFUNDME for his father and his grandmother. They have already reached over $15,000 of their goal of $50,000.
If you would like to help the Flurry family, you can donate to their GOFUNDME here.