Decatur Gardener Dies in Fire, Tried to Rescue His Beloved Dogs

Ryan Gainey, an internationally known gardener in Decatur, died Friday night in a fire while trying to save his Jack Russell terriers.

Gainey was at his second home in Lexington, GA, reports the AJC, when the fire broke out. Lexington is located in Oglethorpe County near Athens, and has a volunteer-only fire department.

Oglethorpe County emergency management personnel and the county's coroner confirmed that Gainey's body was found in the totally destroyed home, as well as those belonging to three dogs.

Gainey's colleagues and friends mourned the tragedy on social media.

According to his website, Gainey grew up in Hartsville, SC and become interested in the natural world. He studied ornamental horticulture at Clemson University and received an honorary doctorate in letters from Coker College.

He later moved to Decatur when he bought a two-acre garden, which has since been featured in numerous gardening publications. His garden has been a featured stop for 20 years on the Atlanta Botanical Garden's Gardens for Connoisseurs tour.

Gainey was the owner of Ryan Gainey & Company, a gardening design firm.

Gainey's friends are planning a memorial service in metro Atlanta within the next two weeks.

Image via Shutterstock