Chris Gadd, Cindy Watts, Andy Simmons, and Ariana Sawyer

The Tennessean

The body of 19-year-old Jerry Greer, son of country singer Craig Morgan and wife Karen, has been recovered from Kentucky Lake, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

Greer had been missing after a boating accident over the weekend.

In earlier reports, Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said two teens were tubing on the Tennessee River near Kentucky Lake on Sunday when they fell into the water. Greer, who witnesses said was wearing a life jacket, never resurfaced.

A candlelight vigil was originally planned for Monday night, but was canceled out of respect for the families.

Allison Pendergrass, a close friend and classmate of Greer, said he “had an amazing heart, he was caring, and funny.”

“He had his own way of doing things which people didn't understand, but he was a beautiful soul and will forever hold a place in my heart,” Pendergrass said.

Craig Morgan’s son Jerry Greer remembered as competitive, ‘beautiful soul’

Before the Dickson City Council meeting Monday night, Dickson Mayor Don Weiss Jr. asked for a moment of silence for Greer and his family for what he said "looks like the loss of one of our local kids here in town."

Dickson County High Principal Joey Holley said Greer was "loved by many of his classmates."



"His charisma and passion for sports made him one of the fiercest competitors at our school," Holley said Monday night. "He was an outstanding and one-of-a-kind athlete. He will be greatly missed. Our prayers go out to his family."

Counselors will be available Tuesday through Thursday at DCHS to support students through the grieving process, Holley said.

Davis said crews worked throughout Sunday night and additional resources were requested from other rescue organizations beginning at 6 a.m. Monday.

Rescue teams went back out with the boater who was pulling Greer when he went under. Authorities were hoping he could direct them to the specific spot where he went missing.

According to Davis, there were about 20 to 30 boats out in the area searching. The boats focused their efforts on about 300 or 400 yards from the river on the bank where the accident occurred.

Davis stated he's not certain what could've caused this to occur.

"There's always hazards in the area that could've contributed to this accident," Davis said.

Dickson County Underwater Search and Recovery, the Tennessee City Volunteer Fire Department and the City of Dickson Fire Department personnel also assisted throughout Sunday night.

"The family is grateful for everyone’s support and prayers and requests privacy during this difficult time," said a statement from Morgan's publicist.

Craig Morgan focuses on craft, music video shot in Dickson

Greer, a recent graduate of Dickson County High School, was close with his dad, an Army veteran who has had several hits, including “Tough,” “Almost Home,” “That’s What I Love About Sunday” and “International Harvester.”

Morgan is the host of “Craig Morgan All Access Outdoors” on the Outdoor Channel. The show takes Morgan on adventures around the world, and Greer sometimes went with him. The program’s website shows Morgan and Greer posing with a goat they shot in Hawaii.

Greer is one of Morgan’s four children.

A call was first placed to the county dispatch for help at about 4 p.m. Sunday.