Craig Morgan’s Son: The Tragic Story of Jerry Greer

Behind the heartfelt lyrics of country music star Craig Morgan lies a story of profound love and devastating loss. For fans who know the man behind hits like “That’s What I Love About Sunday” and “Redneck Yacht Club,” one of his most personal and painful chapters involves his son, Jerry Greer.

Jerry was the second oldest of Morgan’s five children, a charismatic athlete who was adopted into the family at nine months old and who brought boundless energy to every room he entered. But in July 2016, at just 19 years old, Jerry’s life was tragically cut short in a tubing accident on Kentucky Lake. The accident would change the Morgan family forever, testing their faith and inspiring some of the most powerful music of Craig’s career.

Quick Facts

Jerry Greer: A Life Remembered

A Gift of Adoption

Jerry Greer’s story begins long before the tragedy. He entered the world with a difficult start, spending his earliest months in foster care after being abused. When Craig Morgan’s wife Karen brought home a nine-month-old baby boy, she was immediately certain he was meant to be their son. “We’re keeping him,” Karen announced to her husband. “I don’t care if we don’t have two dimes to rub together. He is our son.”

The adoption was finalized when Jerry was two and a half years old. Those early lean years would later fade as Craig’s music career took off with his first hit, “Something to Write Home About,” in 2000.

A “Beautiful Soul” and Gifted Athlete

Growing up, Jerry struggled with dyslexia, but he didn’t let it hold him back. He became a popular student and a gifted athlete, playing both football and soccer at Dickson County High School, from which he graduated in May 2016. He was known for his “infectious energy” and his ability to light up any room he entered. “Jerry was a very kind-hearted, free spirit, athletic,” said Dickson County High School Athletic Director Jay Powlas. “I think that’s the reason you are seeing the outpouring you are seeing is because Jerry never met a stranger.”

On the soccer field, he was a formidable forward. His coach, Chris Cardona, recalled: “If Jerry got the ball on a breakaway, there was a good chance we were going to score.” On the football field, his coach described him as a player who always performed “full speed with a gigantic amount of energy.” Jerry could be a prankster, but he was always respectful. “These attributes are great when you have to go into battle on the football field and great attributes to succeed in life,” his coach added.

After his senior year, Jerry had his sights set on Marshall University in West Virginia, where he planned to walk onto the football team starting with spring practice. His potential seemed limitless.

The “Freak Accident”

On July 10, 2016, Jerry was tubing with friends on Kentucky Lake in Humphreys County, Tennessee. Both he and another person on the tube were wearing life jackets. As the tube was being pulled behind a boat, it flipped, and Jerry went under the water. He did not resurface.

A massive search effort was launched. About 50 boats and rescue crews using underwater vehicles scoured a stretch of river up to 15 feet deep. The staging area was at Mason’s boat dock, about nine miles northwest of Waverly. Craig and Karen rushed to the scene, but their presence attracted too much attention. Craig made a deal with the sheriff, promising to leave to make the search easier, on the condition that he be notified immediately when Jerry was found so he could be there to recover his son’s body himself. “I’m his daddy, and it’s my responsibility to get him out,” he told the sheriff.

Jerry’s body was found the following day. An autopsy later confirmed that he had died from accidental drowning. A toxicology report revealed he had marijuana and a low level of alcohol in his system at the time of his death.

A Father’s Grief and Legacy

“I Would Give Every Bit of Stardom Back”

Craig Morgan has been open about the raw, enduring pain of losing his son. He told People magazine: “I would give every bit of stardom back, everything I own, both legs and both arms to have Jerry here. But that ain’t the way it works.”

“The Father, My Son, and The Holy Ghost”

Almost three years after the accident, Craig woke up at 3:30 a.m. with the urge to write. He poured himself a cup of coffee, picked up his guitar, and let the emotion pour out. The result was the poignant song “The Father, My Son, and The Holy Ghost,” which he released as an independent artist. He initially had no intention of releasing it to the public, but he felt God wanted people to hear it. It became the number one most downloaded song in the history of music.

Honoring Jerry’s Memory

The Morgan family has found many ways to keep Jerry’s spirit alive. They buried him on their property in Tennessee, right near their family chapel. His favorite number, 13, is featured in the roof overhang of the chapel. His mother, Karen, continues to buy a Christmas ornament for Jerry each year, just as she does for all her children.

Every holiday, the family laughs and cries together, making sure Jerry is part of every conversation. When one of his sons announced he was expecting a child, Karen immediately suggested “Jerry” as a middle name. Craig also tends to oak trees that he and Jerry planted together years ago, knowing that one day acorns from those trees will fall. “They’re special — because he and I planted those trees,” he said.

Finding Purpose in Faith

Through his grief, Craig has leaned heavily on his faith. He told Bunnie Xo on the Dumb Blonde podcast that he believes God was not punishing him and that the devil, not God, took his son. He chooses not to search for reasons why it happened, accepting that “he’s gone, and that’s it.” As one of his other children put it, “We just have to live with the suck for the rest of our lives.” While his faith will not waver, he acknowledges that there are still hard days.

Craig Morgan’s Other Children

Jerry was the second oldest of Craig and Karen’s five children. The others are:

Wyatt Greer
One of Jerry’s brothers, Wyatt has appeared with the family on their reality show Morgan Family Strong.

Kyle Greer
Kyle is another brother who has joined Craig in business ventures, co-owning an off-grid experience business in Alaska with his father.

Marisa Morgan Beaird
One of Jerry’s sisters, Marisa is married and has been part of the family’s tight-knit support system.

Alexandra Morgan
The youngest of Craig’s children, Alexandra has also appeared alongside her family. A source has referred to her as “Alex” on several family websites.

The family has always been close-knit, and the loss of Jerry has only strengthened their bond.

Key Takeaways

• Jerry Greer was the adopted son of country singer Craig Morgan and his wife Karen. He was adopted at nine months old.

• He was a charismatic and gifted athlete who played football and soccer at Dickson County High School, graduating in 2016.

• Jerry died at age 19 in a tubing accident on Kentucky Lake on July 10, 2016.

• An autopsy confirmed accidental drowning, with marijuana and a low level of alcohol found in his system.

• Craig Morgan wrote the powerful song “The Father, My Son, and The Holy Ghost” in his son’s memory.

• The family honors Jerry’s memory through Christmas ornaments, a chapel on their property, and the acorns from trees they planted together.

FAQ Section

How did Jerry Greer die?

Jerry Greer died from accidental drowning after a tubing accident on Kentucky Lake in July 2016. The tube he was riding in flipped, and he did not resurface.

Was Jerry Greer Craig Morgan’s biological son?

No, Jerry was adopted. Craig and his wife Karen adopted him when he was two and a half years old after fostering him since he was nine months old.

What was Jerry Greer’s age at the time of his death?

Jerry was 19 years old.

What song did Craig Morgan write about his son?

Craig Morgan wrote the song “The Father, My Son, and The Holy Ghost” about his son Jerry.

How many children does Craig Morgan have?

Craig Morgan has five children: Jerry, Wyatt, Kyle, Marisa, and Alexandra.

Was Jerry Greer wearing a life jacket?

Yes, Jerry was wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident.

Where is Jerry Greer buried?

Jerry is buried on the Morgan family’s property in Tennessee, near their family chapel.

What was Jerry Greer’s favorite number?

Jerry’s favorite number was 13. It is featured in the roof overhang of the family chapel.

What did Jerry Greer plan to do after high school?

Jerry had planned to attend Marshall University in West Virginia and walk onto the football team.

Has Craig Morgan spoken about his son’s death?

Yes, Craig has been very open about his son’s death in interviews and in his memoir God, Family, Country.

Final Thoughts

The story of Jerry Greer is one of love, loss, and legacy. A boy who was adopted into a family and given a second chance at life, he grew into a young man who touched everyone he met. His sudden, tragic death left a hole in the Morgan family that will never be filled. But through their faith, their music, and their commitment to honoring his memory, Craig, Karen, and their children have turned their grief into a testament of enduring love. As Craig Morgan sings, Jerry is not gone—he lives on in their hearts.

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