Terry's Daughters' Fund (Asheville Hurricane Helene Fund)

Julie Wilson is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Rachel HH.

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On Sept. 27 when Hurricane Helene hit Asheville, Terry Michael Johnson was with his two young daughters when he was swept away by the Swannanoa River. We are so sad to share that, after over 3 weeks, the rescue crews working so hard throughout our WNC communities weren't able to find Terry's body. The Asheville PD notified the girls and their mom on Oct. 21 that Terry is now presumed dead.

Terry's death is a shocking and heartbreaking loss for all who loved him--especially his 8 and 10 year old daughters.

Terry was a fun-loving dad with a charming smile, a ready giggle, and a salty sense of humor. His girls even called him a "kidult" for his playful ways.

Terry made an everyday trip in Swannanoa into an adventure, making airplane tickets with the girls and pretending the mailbox was an airport. He set up whole pretend stores inside their house. He taught his girls to love art and nature and to identify the plants and animals around them.

Terry was a visual artist who made sculptures, drawings, and collages. He loved going to the movies, reading science fiction, and perusing thrift stores. Terry also took care of countless rescued and injured animals and enjoyed spending time in the natural world.

At the time of his death, Terry had worked for over a decade with the West Asheville company Bionic Man Painting. He previously cooked at the Asheville restaurant Biscuithead as well as the Athens, Georgia restaurant The Grit and the Green Bay, Wisconsin restaurant Hinterland. Terry was someone who tended the places and things that nourish us: the outdoors, our homes, good food.

Terry's daughters are loved bountifully by their mom, Sarah. Still, traumas to children require whole communities, so we need to surround these two girls and Sarah with love, hope, and—at this critical moment—financial support.

Terry's Daughters' Fund will go directly to the girls’ mom Sarah to support them in the absence of Terry's care over the months and years to come.

Most immediately, Sarah has found a therapist who specializes in supporting children through the traumatic loss of a parent, and this fund will support these out-of-network costs.
The Fund will also be used to close up Terry’s home and ensure care for his two cats.
After these immediate needs, the Fund will be saved for the girls’ additional educational, health, and other needs as their mom and community sustain them in the wake of their dad’s traumatic death.

Thank you so much for showing up here and supporting Terry’s Daughters’ Fund. Julie Wilson, a longtime friend of the family from when she lived Buncombe County, is managing this fundraising website. Sarah's sister Rachel HH is managing all funds received on Sarah's behalf.