BUFORD, Ga. — A powerful storm in Tennessee caused the death of a well known business owner from Buford.
Ralph Frazier, the co-owner of Frazier's Harley-Davidson, was killed Thursday night when a storm swept through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee.
"Always a helpful guy, outgoing, ready to help you out if you had a question," said friend Bob Tanner. "He knew a lot about motorcycles and knew a lot of people."
Frazier was on a riding trip through the park when friends said he parked his motorcycle due to the storm.
Despite that caution, investigators said wind snapped a tree limb, causing it to fall on his head.
"It's a tragic loss for us," said friend and employee Scott Parker. "We're all a big family at the end of the day when one of us gets hurt, we're always there for each other. It was kind of a surreal thing to hear that he passed away like he did."
Friday, customers stopped by the victim's dealership to pay their respects, while employees continued running the business that Frazier loved.
"This was his life, his passion," said Parker.
Outside, a white wreath hung on the door in his memory.
"I'm just happy that he was out doing what he liked to do," said Tanner. "He was on vacation, which is rare for him to get to do. He was enjoying what he enjoyed the most."
Friends said that Frazier's girlfriend was also on the trip with him, and was not hurt in the incident.
His employees say they will come together for the Frazier family including his two teenage children.
"My heart goes out for his children it's a tragic thing that you can't expect," said Parker. "He'll live on through all of us and his memory will still be here."
WSBTV
