By Z. Vance
Johnson City Press
A former Carter County Circuit Court Clerk and his wife were killed when strong winds blew the top out of a large tree onto their campsite during Friday evening’s storm.
Sheriff Dexter Lunceford said Hampton residents John Paul Mathes, 60, and his wife Robin Musselwhite Mathes, 47, were both pronounced dead at the scene in the Fish Springs community.
“The wind blew the top out of a large tree, and it was actually the only tree that fell in the immediate area. It fell and struck both occupants of the campsite,” Lunceford said. “It appears to have just struck them in the head when it fell.”
Mathes was a Circuit Court Clerk for Carter County until 2014 when he decided to retire. He had also been a county commissioner for several years and owned a used car dealership.
Mathes’ son J.P. Mathes II posted a message on Facebook concerning the accident:
“I am saddened to say that my father John Paul Mathes and stepmother Robin Mathes lost their lives last night during the horrendous thunderstorms that came through the area. They were camping on Watauga Lake near Hampton, TN and the wind knocked down a huge tree over their campsite.”
His post continued: “I would like to thank the rescue crews, law enforcement, local government officials, and friends who helped us through a very tough night which has now turned into morning. Our family would also like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this time. Once information concerning the arrangements have been made I will keep everyone posted.”
Emergency personnel responded to a report of an occupied boat being struck by a tree, but upon arrival, discovered the tree had fallen on the campsite.
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