Harold Johnson Jr. and his family know what they're thankful for this Thanksgiving.

His name is Tray Ross.

Ross pulled Johnson, a 76-year-old Gainesville resident who is blind, from his burning home at 1190 Purina Drive early Monday morning.

His rescuer, a line supervisor at a chicken plant, gave up on a dream to become a firefighter so he could support his family.

That didn't stop the 20-year-old Ross from using his training and an apparent instinctual bravery to enter a burning home and save a man's life.

While Johnson is still recovering at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, his daughter, Janet Williams, said the family is glad their father is still alive.

"We're truly blessed," Williams told the Times on Tuesday. "There is a God, and Tray was an angel."

Ross and Johnson were both treated for smoke inhalation.

Johnson, now stable, was in the intensive care unit until Tuesday morning, Williams said. Doctors do not expect him to be released from the hospital this week, she said.

Ross was released from care Monday and is already working again at the Fieldale chicken plant near the scene of the fire.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Gainesville Fire Department.

Johnson, who lives alone with assistance from a nurse, told his daughter that he thought he felt heat and smelled smoke earlier that day, she said. He knew there was trouble when he started hearing the windows pop.

Unable to escape, Johnson hunkered down on the kitchen floor, Williams said.

Meanwhile, Ross was on break with co-workers at the chicken plant when they noticed a lot of smoke coming from Johnson's house, he recalled to The Times.

While co-workers called 911, Ross said he took off his jacket and ran on the porch of the house.

He described a glow coming from a back room that he knew was a fire.

When Ross called inside, he said he heard a voice yelling "Help me. There's someone inside. Help me."

Ross, who had served as a volunteer firefighter in Blairsville, said he knew the dangers but also knew he had to help.

"It's a person in there," he said. "He's got family just as well as I do."

The door was unlocked, Ross said, so he entered and dropped down to his stomach to navigate through the thick smoke.

"It felt like forever," said Ross, who estimated he was in the house for five minutes.

"Where you at?" Ross said he yelled to Johnson, who guided him through the house to the kitchen.

"I'm going to get you outta here," Ross said he told Johnson, who responded, "That sounds great."

It wasn't until later that Ross realized Johnson was blind.

By the time the two were out, paramedics were on scene to assist both men, Ross said.

On Monday, Gainesville Fire Chief Jon Canada credited Ross with saving the man's life, with the caveat that he doesn't encourage residents to enter burning buildings.

Ross said he agrees with the sentiment but felt comfortable enough with his fire training to handle the task.

Ross' dream as a child was to be a firefighter, he said. He graduated from fire school and has his firefighter license but has never found work beyond the role of volunteer.

When his wife got pregnant, he said, getting a full-time job became the first priority.

Ross said he is not actively looking for another job but still hopes to be a paid firefighter in the future.

"I wouldn't mind it," he said, "if the situation works out."

Ross may not be a full-time firefighter now, but he's certainly a hero to Johnson's family.

Williams said she has already visited Ross at the chicken plant to thank him personally.

While Johnson remains in the hospital, his family is trying to figure out where he will live next with his home burned beyond repair.

Williams said that she and her brother will have to figure out living arrangements, but that will have to come after Thanksgiving dinner.

Doctors are telling Johnson's family that he won't be out for weeks, which means he won't be home for the holiday. Instead, Williams said she's cooking dinner to bring to the hospital.

"We're just glad to have him here," Williams said. "And we'll take Thanksgiving to him."