A Magnolia family who lost their home in the Tri-County Wildfire was surprised with an unexpected Christmas gift Dec. 15.

Jerry Robertson, his wife Tina Robertson and their two sons received an unexpected gift from Gallery Furniture. The famous furniture store brought the family enough furniture to supply an entire home.

The surprise came after the September Tri-Country Wildfire, which the Robertsons describe as an event that changed their lives forever.

Jerry explained the events that took place Sept. 5. He is a volunteer firefighter with the Tri-County Fire Department, which covers areas such as Waller, Grimes and Harris Counties.

While on duty, Jerry says he was dispatched to a small fire on a golf course. As firefighters contained the small fire, Jerry said they could see black clouds across the county.

“You looked across the county and you could see black smoke,” he said.

His mother, who is also his neighbor, called Jerry with concerns about the smoke, which appeared to be not far from their homes in Remington Forest.

Jerry said he was dispatched to go assist the large fire. Once there, Jerry was advised to go check on his wife. When he got home, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office was driving through the neighborhood telling residents to evacuate.

Tina, who was eight months pregnant at the time, left the home with her husband and son, not knowing it would be the last time they would see their home. Jerry said he loaded their three dogs in the jeep, grabbed some clothes and pictures and left.

As the family was leaving, Jerry said he could see houses in the neighborhood already catching on fire.

“It was getting pretty scary,” he said.

After taking his family to another family member’s house in Grand Oaks, Jerry attempted to return to get their other vehicle, but it was too late.

“The back yard was fully involved,” he said.

At that point, Jerry said he was convinced they would lose their home.

Fellow firefighters and safety officers told Jerry to stay with his wife and son, however, Jerry was torn between battling the fire with his fellow firefighters and being there for his family.

“It was quite emotional,” he said. “I had to take care of my family. After a few days I did go back to the line.”

Jerry said he wanted to go back out to the line of fire because “those are my guys.”

After the Tri-County Wildfire was finally extinguished, Jerry and Tina found out their home was a complete loss. Luckily, his mother’s home was saved.

Jerry and Tina have been renting another home in the Remington Forest Subdivision where their former home used to be. Their previous land owner deeded them the land that their home used to occupy. Jerry said he has been in contact with Trinity Roofing and General Contracting who want to build the Robertsons a new home through donations received. Lakewood Church has set up a donation fund for the family.

It was Jerry’s heroic effort to save his family, lose his home and continue battling the blaze that captured the heart of one Sugarland resident and complete stranger, Nana White.

White heard his story and contacted Gallery Furniture. After weeks of private conversations with Jerry’s boss and mother to get recommendations, Jerry and his family were surprised with new furniture.

Jerry explained that being a firefighter he constantly answers calls for people in tragedies, but once a scene is cleared, he never knows what happens to the individuals after.

“When we clear a scene, most of the time we don’t know what happens to those people,” he said. “Now I know. I’m on the other end. It’s a lot to take in.”

Through this experience he now sees the full circle, he said.

“It’s not the complete circle that I wanted,” he explained. “It’s an eye opener.”

Jerry said the community has really helped his family. As of Jan. 1, Jerry said his family will own the property where their home once stood and he plans to rebuild.

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