Young Harris Man Dies in Home Explosion, Remembered as Skilled Craftsman and Generous Neighbor

This building no longer stands in Young Harris after a reported explosion and fire on Sunday, Feb. 23

Harper Tate

389 Country

YOUNG HARRIS, GA — A devastating home explosion claimed the life of 67-year-old Thomas Lee Marcell early Sunday morning, February 23, leaving the tight-knit Young Harris community in mourning. The blast, which occurred before 8 a.m. behind the Dollar General store, was powerful enough to be heard 10 miles away, according to Towns County Fire Chief Harold Copeland.

Coroner Tamela Cooper confirmed Marcell’s identity following notification of next of kin, though the body has been sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for positive identification. Authorities currently have no reason to believe the victim was anyone else, and a next-door neighbor, who was not present at the time, also identified the resident as Marcell.

The explosion leveled a small cinder block structure—approximately 1,000 square feet—that Copeland recalled had once been a shop. County fire crews deployed two engines and two tankers to extinguish the significant blaze. State fire investigators, arriving swiftly on the scene, are exploring the possibility that a kerosene heating device may have triggered the incident, though the investigation remains ongoing.

In a statement shared with the newspaper, Coroner Cooper painted a vivid picture of Marcell’s life and legacy. “Thomas Lee Marcell was a beloved member of the Young Harris community, known for his remarkable skill in repairing guitars, chainsaw motors, and gas engines,” she said. “His hands could restore the soul of a beloved instrument and bring life back to worn-out machines.”

Beyond his mechanical talents, Marcell was a celebrated figure in the boating world. Cooper noted that he was a “world champion boatsman,” achieving greatness with the Marcell boats he crafted alongside his father. Yet, it was his character that left an indelible mark. “Thomas was a kind-hearted and generous man, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need,” Cooper said. “His presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy of craftsmanship and kindness will live on in the lives he touched.”

Initial reports from first responders mistakenly listed the victim’s age as 58, an error Cooper later corrected. Marcell was the sole occupant of the residence at the time of the explosion.

As the community grapples with the loss, authorities continue to piece together the circumstances of the tragedy. For now, Young Harris remembers a man whose hands built boats, fixed engines, and touched countless lives with quiet generosity.