Local man killed in Bush Hog accident
Kermit Johnson moved to area in December
By Harrison Keely EDITOR

A Hayesville man was killed in an accident with his Bush Hog Wednesday, July 16 the Clay County Sheriff's Office confirmed.

Police said Kermit E. Johnson, 67, was driving his Bush Hog on the slope of a hill at his property on Crockett Mountain Lane when he was abruptly ejected from the mower at approximately 2:50 p.m.

"He possibly hit a stump which threw him off, and [the machine] rolled on top of him," Officer Defee said. "It gave him injuries which he was not able to survive."

Johnson's wife or neighbor called to report the accident to emergency medical services, Defee said, noting that Johnson passed away before anyone was able to respond.

"It was kind of a confusing call at first," he said. "His hand had been cut off; it came across later that his head had been injured as well."

On a rotary cutter, Bush Hog blades can reach a tip speed of over 150 mph, according to safety information for the machines.

Johnson moved to Clay County in December 2007 after living most of his life in Hollywood, Fla. A native of Eaton, Ohio, Johnson grew up on a farm in Spartanburg, Ind.

Johnson served in the US Air Force and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a finish carpenter and a member of the Hayesville Church of Christ.

He was the son of the late JD and Hazel North Johnson.

Surviving are his wife, Paula Siravo Johnson; a daughter, Deborah A. Ali and husband, Vince of Coconut Creek, FL; a son, Kevin E. Johnson of Mount Croghan, SC; a sister, Ilo Ketron of Aurora, MO; two brothers, Julian Johnson of Ft. Wayne, IN and Merlin Johnson of Port St. Lucie, FL; and a granddaughter, Chelsea A. Ali.

A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. July 19 in the Hayesville Church of Christ with Ministers Keith Ritchie and Steven Morris officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Kermit E. Johnson to the Cancer Research, c/o Bill Peoples, West Broward Church of Christ, 12550 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation, FL 33325.

E-mail Harrison at hkeely@ smokymountainsentinel.com.

Reader Comments

No comments have been posted. Be the first!

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
Land transfer tax-- let the voters decide	1