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A man and child who were swept into the ocean Sunday near Port Orford are related to Josephine County Commissioner Lily Morgan, who was tending to official duties Tuesday as well as dealing with grieving family members. "It hit me this morning," Morgan told a group attending a public meeting with commissioners. "I had a rough morning." Jayson Dean Thomas, 31, of Elmira and his 3-year-old son were knocked down by a large wave and pulled into the water. Morgan's aunt is married to Thomas, and the child is theirs. The aunt is the younger sister of Morgan's mother, and is younger than Morgan. "She lost her best friend and child," Morgan said after Tuesday's meeting. "It's unimaginable that amount of loss." Thomas had been walking with the boy on a beach about 2 miles north of Cape Blanco when an unexpectedly large wave known as a "sneaker wave" struck. Seas were rough at the time, according to Oregon State Police. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. Sunday at a steep-angled beach near Floras Lake. The U.S. Coast Guard and other emergency personnel searched for Thomas and his son without success. Crews in helicopters and search boats and state troopers on all-terrain vehicles found only Jayson Thomas' jacket and a child carrier he had been wearing. Morgan has been acting as an intermediary between OSP and the family. She said OSP Sgt. Dave Aydelotte has gone out of his way to provide information. "He has been most kind and communicative," she said. "The compassion that was offered was very much appreciated." Thomas was a good husband, father and provider, Morgan said. "He was a very good role model."