On Christmas Day, the Oakland community mourned the courageous loss of Steven Weatherford Jr., who tragically died trying to save his family from their burning home. The 37-year-old man was remembered by loved ones for his bravery and selflessness as he alerted family members to the flames and ran back inside to search for his engagement ring, which he had planned to propose with on New Year's Eve.
The Oakland Fire Department received reports of the fire at around 6:15 a.m. Responding firefighters found Weatherford unconscious inside the home, and he was later pronounced dead at the scene. Officials indicated he most likely succumbed to smoke inhalation, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation, classified as accidental.
LaShante Mayo, Weatherford's girlfriend, expressed her heartbreak, saying, "Steven was truly the best person you could ever meet. He loved his family, his friends, everybody so much. He died trying to get them out of the house. And he succeeded! I loved him so much." She had recently learned of his plans to propose, turning what was meant to be a joyous occasion dark with grief.
According to family members, Steven had been sleeping on the couch when the fire erupted. It spread quickly, but he managed to wake his father, aunt, and brother, ensuring they escaped the flames. His aunt, Eunice Smith, recounted, "He was trying to save everybody, make sure everybody was out of the house. He may not have known they all went out the back…And they heard him screaming. And he never made it out."
Witnesses reported waking to the flames consuming the house and quickly realizing someone was missing. According to Smith, Weatherford's family always celebrated Christmas at their home. This year was especially significant because of his planned engagement.
Mayo reiterated the warmth Weatherford embodied, saying, "He was super funny, beautiful, the kindest soul you could meet." Their neighborhood has rallied together, launching a GoFundMe campaign to aid the Weatherford family with immediate financial needs, which has raised nearly $10,000 as of now.
Sandra Clark, Mayo's mother, also shared her admiration for Weatherford. She stated, "When I met him, I said, 'That's the one. That's the one.' Her father and I - we just loved him so much. And he loved her so much." Tragically, the engagement ring Steven intended to give to Mayo is still unaccounted for, buried beneath the ruins of what was once their family home.
Alan Weatherford, Steven's uncle, noted how Steven's inhalation of smoke likely contributed to his disorientation. "Steven had severe asthma, so his lungs were not very good," he revealed. Though their home was known for hosting large and warm family gatherings each Christmas, this holiday took on the hue of tragedy and loss.
Friends and neighbors are left grappling with this unexpected loss, sharing memories of Steven's infectious laughter and kindness. Denise Robinson, a neighbor, recounted how she vividly remembers the day highlighting his excitement about his recent job and plans for the future. "He showed me a picture of the ring," she said, reflecting on the bond they shared as neighbors.
Hope remains as the community pulls together, finding solace through support networks and memorial efforts. Law enforcement and fire officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, ensuring families are educated on fire safety measures to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
Steven Weatherford Jr. will be remembered not only for his devoted love for his family but also for his ultimate sacrifice, exhibiting extraordinary bravery when it mattered most. His family believes he remains with them, watching over them during this particularly challenging time.
The pain of his loss will echo through the Weatherford family and their community for years to come, serving as a poignant reminder of love's power and the fragility of life.
