Checking the Tomato Plants

Looking Good!
Beverly and I went to Knoxville today to visit Mary. We had a good visit and really enjoyed our time together. Precious moments.

While there we checked on Dad’s Tomato Garden. I was amazed at the growth in only one week. Instead of just blooms there were dozens of green tomatoes. I think every plant had green tomatoes. While there I decided to give the plants a watering. Here’s a few pictures Beverly took while I was watering the plants.

Dad would be proud of his tomato plants this year. It sure looks like there is going to be a bumper crop.

Book Sales
If you want to buy one of Dad’s book, it is not too late. You should order online through the link in the side panel, but we are not using PayPal. When you order on line the order will go direct to Jim, and when he receives your check or money order he will ship your book(s).

~~~

Thanks again for all your Phone calls. comments, emails and cards. They have meant so much to us during these days of sadness.

Hello to All of Dad’s Friends

Something was telling me to make a post on Dad’s blog. Tomorrow it will be only 3 weeks since Dad passed from the earth’s fading scene and into eternity. I think we’re still in a daze since it happen so fast. We miss him but are thankful for his long life and that he did not have to suffer. He is an inspiration to everyone to keep active and continue learning new things as we age. He meant so much to us so it is hard for us to lose him.

At the Silent Keyboards website a friend wrote a tribute to Dad. You can see it here:

Tribute to Dad

And I learned about more tributes to Dad:

Tribute 2

Tribute 3

~~~

Many thanks for your mail and comments expressing your condolences. We appreciate it very much.

Dad loved pictures of sky above. I saw this picture today and posted it because I knew Dad would like it.

One more thing that you might enjoy. When I was with him on Friday before his death, I told him I needed him to autograph some of his books for me. He nodded and said, “It’s rough being famous.” That got a good laugh from all of us.

Someone told us that Dad was like the man Seraiah mentioned in Jeremiah 51:59 (KJV) who was referred to as a “quiet prince.”

A Visit Home

This is Jim Writing
Yesterday I visited Mary and home in Knoxville. It was the first time I had been back since last Friday. It still feels like a dream—the fact that Dad is gone. I miss him in so many ways.

While I was there I filled his bird feeders and watered his tomato plants. I felt like he was watching me while I was doing these things…

His tomato garden looks great. Ted, his next door neighbor put the cages up around the plants a few days ago. Here’s a couple of pictures of Dad’s Tomato Garden.

Dad’s Tomato Garden 24 Tomato Plants, each 3 feet apart. (Pictures taken 5/24/2012)

These Blooms will soon be baby tomatoes, then big green tomatoes, then they will turn into delicious red tomatoes. Dad really knew how to grow good tomatoes!

Obituary

In Memory of Ray F. White
September 2, 1913 - May 9, 2012

White, Ray F. age 98, born September 2, 1913, passed away May 9, 2012 at Physicians Regional Medical Center. He was a non-denominational Christian. He was founder and co-owner of White Brothers Poultry & Egg Company and since his retirement he has enjoyed gardening, raising tomatoes and roses. One of his greatest joys was feeding the birds and wildlife at his home which was designated as a Wildlife Habitat. In 2003, he began blogging with his well-known blog, "Dad's Tomato Garden." He had many friends and followers from all over the world.

Preceded in death by beloved wife, LaVerne R. White; parents, Harris and Maude White; grandson, Greg White; brothers, Ralph, Earl, Howard, and Willard. Survivors, son and daughter-in-law, James and Beverly White of Kingsport; daughter, Mary L. White of Knoxville; grandchildren, Kevin and wife, Lesley White of Kingsport, Bethany R. White of New Jersey; great grandchildren, Mandy and husband Alex Rogers, Kara White and Zachary White; Mandy's mother, Sylvia Massey; sister, Helen Weals; brother, Roy and wife, Mavis White; several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 PM Friday, May 11, 2012 in the chapel of Berry Funeral Home, Chapman Highway with funeral service to follow at 8:00 PM.

Ministers Greg Harger and Robert Johnson will officiate. Family and friends will meet at Woodlawn Cemetery on Saturday, May 12, 2012 for a 10:30 AM interment service.

Pallbearers will be Don Johnson, Lance George, John Delius, Pat Cooke, Ted Beightol, Jerry Walker and Michael VanVuuren. Honorary pallbearers are Jerry Pell, John Walker, Woodrow Franklin, Jay Conatser, Pinky Conatser, Ben Burnette, and Don Brawdy. Condolences may be offered at www.berryfuneralhome.com.

We Are Sad & Grieving

This is Jim writing.

We wanted to let all of Dad’s friends know that he passed away this morning while he was in the hospital. The doctors postponed surgery yesterday because of some health issues.

Yesterday afternoon  he felt pretty good and was alert and talked to his visitors. Early this morning he was resting, was alert, and knew all the family that was with him. Around 9:00 AM or a little later he turned for the worse and died around 10:15 AM while he was asleep.

Tuesday Morning

This is Jim writing.

Dad is in the hospital. Here’s what happened.  Yesterday morning around 3:30 AM (just after Dad had posted his blog) he was sitting on the edge of the bed and slid off onto the floor. He hit the floor with a bump. We called 911 a little later and got him to the hospital where the X-ray showed a broken right hip joint. Monday was a stressful day for Dad and the whole family. But by the end of the day he was in a room and resting with the aid of some pain meds.

Today they plan to repair his hip with surgery. Dad is in good spirits. We are all hoping and praying that the surgery will be a success and give Dad the opportunity to continue to grow tomatoes and write his blog.

Dads Mondays Entry Six Thousand Two Hundred Fifty One Hundred Fifty one

Good Morning.

Lets try to begin the week with God and continue and end the week with Him.

This day of the week is my day. I love Mondays. It’s a day that I am glad to get out of the house and get my hands and clothes dirty.

We speak a lot about the clean , unspotted sheet that God gives us each morning. we need to do our best to keep it clean and white until the end of this week, and we can with Gods help, and not in ourselves and by the Grace of God, live a life that God will be pleased with, we should live this week for others.

Dad-The Tomato Man.

My new book has been ready a few weeks, I  am satisfied with the ones that I am shipping each, I still have a good stock, and if I need to I can place another order, it takes only a few to get them here.

Why don’t you let Dad mail one to you. Click on the picture and it will this office today.

Time is so precious –do not waste it living only yourself, Give a little of your to others.

Favorite Links

• American Profile Magazine
• Artic Web Cam
• Audio Bible
• Brush Strokes
• Dad's Airplane Flying Days
• Dad's Fried Green Tomato
• Dad's Memoirs Dad's Memoirs
• Dad's Outdoor Web Cam-1
• Dad's Outdoor Web Cam-2
• Dad's Outdoor Web Cam-3
• Dad's Rose Garden Album 2010
• Dad's Smile Album
• Dad's Songbirds and Roses
• Dad's Tomato Garden Photo Album 2008
• DAD'S TOMATO PROBLEM SOLVER
• EAGLE CAM
• Glen in Australia
• Great Smokey Mountains Web Cam
• John White
• Knoxville News-Sentinel
• Learn Bird Songs
• My Everyday Life
• Record Relics
• RefDesk
• Sara's Dog Training
• Shooting My Universe
• Starbucks
• Tennessee Granddaddy
• Tomato Casual
• Urban Garden Casual
• Weather

About Me

Dad

I started this Journal on August 28, 2003 for the main purpose of helping others produce a good home grown tomato. That is still my desire. Since then I have added roses and smiles. I will be glad for any comments or criticism. Contact me at white6416r@aol.com I appreciate all of my readers who have stayed with me through these years. Dad Copy Righted © this in 201o, use any of of this blog and D-The Tomato Man. Call Dad for help.

white6416r@aol.com