‘Fishing won’t be the same without him’: Beloved fisherman, guide remembered after drowning in Old Hickory Lake
HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — After a beloved fisherman drowned in Hendersonville earlier this week, his friends shared their memories of him with News 2, describing him not only as a master on the water, but also a loving husband and father.
According to the Hendersonville Police Department, first responders recovered the body of 76-year-old Mervin Johnson Jr. in Old Hickory Lake following a report of a possible drowning at the Saundersville Boat Ramp on Wednesday, May 15.
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“It’s sad. I can’t believe this,” Adrian Payne, who often fished with Johnson, told News 2.
We’ve all heard of fish tales, but when it came to Johnson, the stories were often true.
“He was a master,” Payne stated.
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Johnson was reportedly a master beyond the water, where he served as a fishing guide.
“He’s definitely one of the top guides in this area, and there probably [won’t be] another one like him,” fishing guide Daniel Brown said, adding that Johnson was a mentor to many.
According to friends, the Goodlettsville man died where he loved spending much of his time: on the water.
“He was on the water almost every day,” Brown said.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) said Johnson’s boat had drifted away from the courtesy dock at the boat launch area on Old Hickory Lake. A witness reported the 76-year-old jumped into the water and was trying to swim the boat back to the dock when he disappeared.
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“I’ve been to this ramp thousands of times. I can’t even fathom it,” Payne stated.
This tragedy that has left the fishing community reeling.
“Fishing won’t be the same without him,” Brown said.
Johnson was a Vietnam veteran known for his tough love and comedic personality. His friends told News 2 he also loved to boast about his wife and kids.
“He’s a great husband, great father. He’s going to be missed,” Johnny Kommavongsa explained. “I’m going to miss hearing his laughter and all the stories that he had. I just want to say he’s a great person, always gave back to the community,”
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In addition to being a fisherman, Johnson was an avid hunter and cook. He served as a role model to many who vow Johnson’s generosity will always live on the water.
“What a great guy,” Brown stated. “I thought the world of him.”
Since Johnson wasn’t wearing a life jacket when he drowned, officials reminded the fishing community and anyone else planning to use lakes or waterways for recreation during the summer months to wear a life jacket.
A funeral service for Johnson will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21 at Hendersonville Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.
According to the TWRA, Johnson’s death marks the fifth boating-related fatality in Tennessee this year. If you have any information about Wednesday’s incident, which is still under investigation, you are asked to call the Hendersonville Police Department at 615-822-1111 or Hendersonville Crime Stoppers at 615-594-4113.
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