SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- "It was his house. I always told my family, the only way my Dad was coming back to Fort Wayne is if he died. He loved South Bend. He just loved South Bend."

When Stanley Bryant learned of his Dad's passing, he couldn't help but reflect on a life well lived.

"He loved giving back to the community. He loved being positive with the kids," Bryant said. "He loved kids. He was a kid at heart, really, if you want to know the truth."

Today, that love still stands.

Earlier in his life, Garfield Bryant was a foreman for a local construction company.

He helped build parts of the St. Joseph County-City Building and Mishawaka High School.

Add to that, a playground in his yard for all the neighborhood kids.

"He set values in me to work hard, to go to work everyday, and do a good job," Bryant said. "I'm proud of him, and I want him to be proud of me."

So while his father's house may have gone up in flames, the life lessons he learned from him, will always carry on.

"Enjoy life, and enjoy it to the fullest. Treat people nice, and be good to people, because you never know."