Account set up to help veteran after fire

A Go Fund Me account was set up for Vietnam veteran and Lorain resident Sam Felton Jr., who is in need of restorations to his house after a fire damaged it and killed his dog Feb. 18.

Felton, who served in the Marine Corp. from 1968 to 1972, is the commander of Disabled American Veterans Louis Paul Proy Chapter 20 and the president of the Valor Home, said he returned to his residence, 720 W. 32nd St., to see a large amount of smoke billowing from the kitchen and affecting other areas of the home.

“I saw the smoke and I was knocked for a loop,” he said.

“All I could think about was my dog, my pet of 13 years, Spike Lee, a chihuahua, so I ran in there after him.

“(The smoke) was too much, man. I had to run out, I couldn’t take it. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I put my hoodie up and

I went in there again for my dog. But, I just couldn’t stay in there.”

Felton said Lorain firefighters arrived shortly after and removed the dog out of the house.

“The Fire Department did all they could, but he was already dead when they got him out,” he said. “They tried to revive him, but it didn’t work.

“He was on the bed, and he inhaled too much of that smoke.”

Lorain fire Assistant Chief Jeff Fenn said firefighters arrived at 3:53 p.m.

Lit candles near combustible materials in the kitchen caused the fire, Fenn said.

Felton said he, along with his wife, Sonya, were relocated to Days Inn for now and his insurance company is looking to put the couple up elsewhere while the home is being repaired.

Restoration of the house will take about two to three months and the whole process could cost $60,000 to $70,000.

Make a donation at www. gofundme.com/f/3y86myskipper?

As of Feb. 28, the account has raised $4,955.

Felton also said folks can send him a check in the mail to his home and he can retrieve it.

Decorated soldier

Felton was honored at the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2019 Induction Ceremony.

He was awarded the Navy Cross in 1969 for his actions in saving fellow Marines in combat, and is a staunch advocate for veterans.

Felton was the city’s 2010 Veteran of the Year and he was elected to the Valor Home Advisory Committee when that group was establishing the transitional housing for veterans in need.

Also, Felton and The Samuel L. Felton Jr. Community Development Program Inc., will have an official Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame induction celebration entitled, “An Evening with Sam,” commemorating his 2019 Induction into the Ohio Veteran’s Hall of Fame.

It will take place April 11, at the Spitzer Conference Center at Lorain County Community College.

Tickets, which are $30 for a single or $50 for two, can be purchased at feltoncommunitydevelopment. org.

Felton