Jacob S. Jake Thomas, age 28 of Atlanta died September 21, 2014 as a result of an accident at Lake Lanier. Jake was born on October 12, 1985. He attended Woodward Academy and graduated from Ben Franklin Academy. Jake had a passionate love of the outdoors and spent many happy days hiking and dog sledding with his father. Following a year at Georgia Southern University, Jake enlisted in the United States Army. After basic training at Fort Benning, GA, he completed airborne training and deployed to Wardak Province, Afghanistan, with the 173 Airborne Brigade. While stationed there, Jake’s unit was engaged in frequent combat. Jake distinguished himself by his bravery under fire and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for an engagement in which he held the enemy at bay alone while firing his machine gun and saving the life of a wounded comrade. Jake will be remembered by all who knew him for his kind and generous spirit, his willingness to help others and his devotion to friends, family, and country. He is survived by his parents Penny and Jim Thomas and his sister Anna Thomas.