Unicoi County Schools mourn loss of parent who worked at Impact Plastics

ERWIN, Tenn. (WJHL) — Last week, the Unicoi County High School (UCHS) football team boarded a bus with head coach Drew Rice, but the team wasn’t heading to a game. They went to serve as honorary pallbearers at the funeral of Johnny Peterson.

Peterson, one of five confirmed Impact Plastics employees who died as a result of flooding, was the father of a UCHS quarterback.

“We had a late practice that night and he (Peterson’s son) was there,” Rice told News Channel 11. “He left the service for his dad and came to football practice. I think that just says a lot about him.”

Rice said he is confident Peterson was a great father because his son is a stand-up player and teammate.

Unicoi County Superintendent John English agreed.

“I know he was extremely, extremely proud of his family, all of his kids who came through the system,” English said.

English lives a few houses down from the Peterson family and told News Channel 11 he would sometimes chat with Johnny about his kids while on morning runs past Impact Plastics.

“He was a very, very, very proud father, that’s for sure,” English said.

English said he and district staff have been in touch with the Peterson family.

“We just wanted to make sure they knew we’re here, and we will be here,” English said. “We want to be supportive in whatever way we can be and (of) whatever needs they’re going to have. We just wanted them to know that we’re here for the long haul for them.”

Rice said with so much of normal life disrupted by the tragedy of Hurricane Helene, he is grateful that football is back up and running.

“I know our guys have been there for him and will continue to be there for him,” Rice said. “We’re not in school right now, but I’m glad that he’s had football to hopefully give him some escape and some distraction and some normalcy during all this.”

In small communities like Erwin and Unicoi County, English said the loss of even one life can make a big impact.

“It’s been tough watching particular students go through loss and the just emotional piece of that for them and for this entire community,” English said. “We’re a very close community, so when something like this happens, the good thing is everybody comes together and rallies together.”

English said he is still unsure when the district will return to class.

UCHS’s football team is set to play its first home game since the flood Oct. 18.

Both the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating Impact Plastics in regard to the deaths of the employees.

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