Tift District Attorney Dies Suddenly

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Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024

Tifton, Georgia

Your Local Digital Newspaper for Tifton and the Greater Tiftarea

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

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Tift District Attorney Bryce Johnson, left, poses this past summer with Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp and Gov. Brian Kemp. Johnson, 52, died Monday after a medical emergency.

TIFT DISTRICT ATTY

BRYCE JOHNSON DIES UNEXPECTEDLY

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Bryce A. Johnson, district attorney for the Tifton Judicial Circuit, died unexpectedly Monday from a sudden medical emergency. He was 52.

Johnson of Tifton had been transported to the hospital emergency room at approximately 11:30 p.m. Friday after suffering a possible pulmonary embolism. While at the hospital, he also experienced a stroke from blood clots, according to those close to the family. He died Monday.

"The Tifton Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office is deeply saddened to announce the passing of District Attorney Bryce Johnson, who unexpectedly passed away Monday due to a sudden medical emergency. Bryce’s passing is an immeasurable loss to our office, our community, and the justice system he served with unwavering dedication," Johnson's office said in a written statement.

Gov. Brian P. Kemp released a statement early Tuesday asking Georgians to "please join Marty, the girls, and me in praying for the family and loved ones of District Attorney Bryce Johnson as they mourn his passing. D.A. Johnson faithfully served the people of Irwin, Tift, Turner, and Worth counties, and we are thankful for his contributions. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Southwest Georgia community during this time."

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said he and Johnson were friends for two decades.

"He was a man of integrity who had a great sense of humor, was a student of politics, and knew more about Georgia high school football than anyone I have ever known," Carr said. "Bryce dedicated his life to serving the community he was so proud to call home, and he was a standout district attorney in our state."

Johnson was elected district attorney in 2020, and was unopposed in his re-election last month to a second term. He previously was the assistant solicitor general of Tift State Court since 2005, served as a special assistant district attorney in Irwin, Turner and Worth counties, and has served as assistant district attorney in the Oconee Judicial Circuit.

He has taught history and political science at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Johnson had a love of sports and had served as co-host of a Friday night high school football radio show broadcast throughout South Georgia. His colleague on the broadcast, Chris Beckham of Tifton, said Johnson's untimely death is "such a shock; still hard to believe."

Beckham said that "Bryce co-hosted our Friday night football show for all or parts of 15 years. As his son got older, he stopped doing the show so he could spend more time with him, which I completely understood. Bryce was one of the smartest people I've ever known. If he knew anything about a subject, it seemed like he knew everything about it.

"And he loved people. He was just as comfortable talking about high school football to someone on Love Avenue in Tifton as he was talking politics with someone on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. He will be missed," Beckham said.

Patrick Warren, whom Johnson selected as his chief assistant, will step into the role of acting district attorney on an interim basis.

Warren said Johnson's leadership, integrity, and commitment to justice earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues and constituents, and his tireless work to ensure fairness and uphold the rule of law leaves a legacy that will guide and inspire the District Attorney's Office.

“It is a privilege and an honor to have worked with Bryce for so long,” said Warren. “While this is a time of change for our office, I am confident in the strength and dedication of the team Bryce built. Together, we will continue to serve our community, and we are committed to upholding the values and mission set forth by our District Attorney Bryce Johnson.”

Johnson leaves behind a wife, Erika Stribling Johnson, and a son, Will, 9.

On this Giving Tuesday, we are excited to announce our

Food & Supply Drive to benefit the students of ABAC!

ABAC's Student Pantry strives to meet the needs of all students in need so that every student remains fed and supplied throughout each semester. To that end, we are collecting non-perishable food and snack items, and a variety of supplies such as toiletries, cleaning products, pots and pans, and other cooking supplies, paper products, feminine hygiene products, etc., to help restock the pantry before the start of the Spring 2025 semester.

Want to help but not sure what to bring? If there is a nonperishable food or snack item or a kitchen or bathroom supply you use regularly at your house,

then students probably need that supply too!

Just grab two next time you go shopping and donate that extra one to a student in need!

Donations can be brought to our office from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday

at 609 Love Avenue in Tifton.

Get your donations to us by Jan. 2 so we can get them to campus before classes begin.

Thank you so very much for your help and support. As our community proves again

and again, if we all do a little, we can accomplish a lot!

Have questions? Reach out to Heather at 229-386-2727.

SHARING LIFE LESSONS LEARNED ALONG THE WAY

I recently had a big birthday, one of those that end in zero and begin with a seven. As I approached that milestone, I began jotting down some “life lessons” as they came to mind.

Although I don’t pretend to have the corner on wisdom, I thought some of my observations may be of interest and thought-provoking.

So, here are some of the “Life Lessons” I have come upon thus far:

Once a jerk, always a jerk. Few people really change who they essentially are within.

Don’t keep putting off things; all you have is right now.

Spend your money on travel and experiences, not on physical things that don’t last and ultimately mean little to you.

Stay young: Keep learning and look forward.

Never forget to say thanks. Even for the smallest actions.

Always do your best and try to do the right thing, even when no one is looking, because you know the difference and have to live with yourself.

Don’t quibble about spending a few dollars more for something better; it’s usually worth it.

Realize that the size of your house and the model of your car is really not important. Instead, find what’s comfortable and practical.

Stop saving that special dinnerware and other special items for a truly special occasion. Every moment in your life is special.

Trust your gut. There’s a reason something seems right or wrong.

You can’t fix others; you can only improve yourself. You can be of help to someone, but true change is up to them.

Take a deep breath and appreciate where you are in your life right now. The circumstances will certainly change one day.

The only constant in the world is change.

Associate only with life-affirming people. Avoid those who create drama and negative energy.

Don’t worry about what others think of you. You may find they don’t think about you that often anyway.

Find your purpose; everybody has one. We all have something to contribute.

Don’t judge others. They are probably dealing with something in their lives that you don’t know about.

Think positive thoughts. Thoughts are real, and they help create your reality.

Be aware and prepared. Opportunity sometimes arrives when unexpected.

Most people are basically good. However, evil is real and does exist. Do not trust blindly.

Be honest with yourself and others.

Believe in miracles.

Be forgiving of others, but don’t forget their transgressions.

Decisions have consequences. Some decisions may seem trivial now, but they can have lifelong impacts.

Never trust someone who is cruel to animals.

Don’t expend effort on regrets. You cannot change the past, nor can you repeat it.

Always remain active and engaged. When you stop living, you start dying.

Frank Sayles Jr., a third-generation newspaperman, is editor and publisher of the Tifton Grapevine, and is a former publisher and editor of daily newspapers across the Southeast. He is a former management trainer for Thomson Newspapers, now Thomson Reuters, and has conducted seminars across the U.S. and Canada.

Brent Conner, Tifton Exchange Club public safety chair, left, presents the Officer of the Year award to Cpl. Courtney Gonzalez of the Omega Police Department as Omega Police Chief John Tyson looks on.

EXCHANGE CLUB HONORS OMEGA POLICE OFFICER

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Exchange of Tifton has named Cpl. Courtney Gonzalez the 2024 Officer of the Year from the Omega Police Department.

Gonzalez has been with the police department since 2021, when she graduated from the police academy. She leads the department with distinction, always looking to take on new challenges and pick up extra duties, said Omega Police Chief John Tyson.

He said Gonzalez excels in self initiation, never waiting to have to be asked to do something. She leads the department in traffic stops and drug interceptions, and has completed more than 800 hours of training.

When asked why she became a police officer, Gonzalez said, “My goal is to be there for someone when they need it and get them the justice they deserve. I want to make a difference in my community.”

FORMER OMEGA MAYOR DIES AT AGE 83

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Former Omega Mayor Ray N. Hunt Jr., who spent nearly 30 years on Omega City Council – 26 of those years as mayor – died recently at age 83.

Hunt was a lifelong resident of Omega, where he was born on June 7, 1941. He died there Nov. 21.

A graduate of the former Omega High School, Hunt earned an associate's degree in criminal justice from South Georgia State College and worked as a Georgia state revenue agent before establishing Ray Hunt Enterprises in 1981, where he was self-employed.

He was first elected to Omega City Council in 1994 and became mayor in 1997, serving through last December. In addition to his council duties, Hunt served his community as a volunteer fireman for the Omega Fire Department for 25 years.

TIFTON COUNCIL CALLS SPECIAL MEETING; VICE MAYOR HAS QUESTIONS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tifton Vice Mayor Josh Reynolds is questioning why a "special called" City Council meeting for 11 a.m. Thursday includes reconsideration of a contract the city just awarded in October for janitorial services at city buildings.

Following months of review, City Council, at its meeting Oct. 21, voted 4-0 to accept the bid from the ICS company to handle janitorial services. Mayor Julie B. Smith was out of town at the time.

A city committee had reviewed numerous companies that bid on the services and had ranked ICS No. 2. The committee had recommended that American Facility Services, which handles Tift County Schools' janitorial services, get the city contract.

But council members accepted ICS's monthly bid of $4,400; American Facility Services had submitted a monthly bid of $5,950.

In an open email late Tuesday afternoon sent to City Council members, the city's management team, and local news media, Reynolds said, "Why would we reconsider a bid for janitorial services? This has already been voted on. I understand that certain individuals might not like who was chosen. This has been discussed at length numerous times.

"So from now on, going forward even after a vote has taken place, is this the protocol we are going to use? If we don’t choose who was recommended, then we must reconsider?" Reynolds wrote.

Reynolds later told the Tifton Grapevine that ICS will cost $52,800 annually versus American Facility, which would cost $71,400 a year. ICS represents a cost savings to taxpayers of $18,600 annually, he said.

"This has already been decided on; it's in the past," Reynolds said. "We need to move forward."

KTB NAMES MONTH'S 'BEAUTY SPOTS'

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Keep Tift Beautiful (KTB), a citizens advisory board, has named the residential and commercial Beauty Spots for December.

The home of the Arthur and Deanna Sigmund family on Hall Avenue in Tifton, pictured above, is this month's residential Beauty Spot.

Fulwood Park, pictured below with city officials and park workers, is the commercial Beauty Spot of the month.

Keep Tift Beautiful promotes recycling, community gardening, litter abatement, and outdoor beautification.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

HomeTown 41

2280 U.S. Highway 41 N., Tifton

Dec. 2

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

If you’ve been searching for the purr-fect mix of an adorable, fun, and ridiculously cute cat, "Glitter" is here to shine! This silly little girl is a non-stop entertainer, turning every toy and string into her own personal Broadway show. Her choreography? Flawless. Her comedic timing? Impeccable. Her bobtail wiggle? Award-winning. Glitter is proof that the best things come in small, sparkly packages. Come visit her and see other pets available for adoption between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

TIFTON CITY COUNCIL REQUIRES DRIVERS

TO KEEP RIGHT, USE LIGHTS AT NIGHT

~ DEC. 6, 1912

At Tifton City Council's monthly meeting on Dec. 6, 1912, council members had the first reading of an ordinance regulating motor cars and trucks within the city. Under the ordinance, drivers must be at least 16 years old, must keep to the right of all roads, and use lights on vehicles when driving at night.