A Big Day for Zachary---May 23, 2012

Graduation & Birthday
Yesterday Zachary graduated from 5th Grade and had his 11th Birthday! We shared in the fun of these two events which will become warm memories of the future. I took pictures and a few videos. I hurriedly put them together last night in a little YouTube Video. Excuse the quality, but I think it captures the fun we had.

Sorry about the sound not coming through on all the videos…

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Being in a good frame of mind
helps keep one in the picture of health.

~~~

Quote of the Day
A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.
~Douglas Pagels

~~~
Joke of the Day

The sign below from one of my cousins. You’ll have to guess which one?

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Cameras

A Couple of Pictures
I really enjoy the wonderful ability we have these days to capture pictures with these fantastic digital cameras. My phone does almost as good a job as my Canon camera, and I have it with me everywhere I go.

Kara and I were comparing our Canon cameras earlier this week. She’s got the best camera! Anyway, here’s a couple of pictures I snapped…

This is Kara with her new digital camera. She’s very creative, combining her camera work with her artistic skills.	This is a flower on our patio, It’s one that we transplanted from some of the flowers we received at the funeral.

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Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
A bird sings because it has a song to sing.
We also have songs to sing. 
Songs of praise and thanks.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart. 
~Kahlil Gibran

~~~
Joke of the Day

Here’s a comical song and video about aging…

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Beautiful Days

The Lake
I enjoyed getting on the lake today for a few hours. My friend Doug went with me and it gave me a chance to relax and reflect. It was a beautiful day. I thought of Dad many times while on the water. He would always tell me on any day the weather was nice, that this would be a good day to go fishing.

While we fished it seemed that was not the real reason to be on the water. I think I enjoyed nature more than I ever had. But we did catch fish. We caught 5 nice lake trout but only kept the 3 largest. I was lucky in catching the biggest one which weighed 4 pounds and 12 ounces.

Here’s a picture I took on South Holston Lake today.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Take the time to be kind to everyone.
We all appreciate kindness, and at times it can make a tremendous difference to our attitude.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Dad, your guiding hand on my shoulder
will remain with me forever.
~Author Unknown

~~~
Joke of the Day

A woman got on a bus holding a baby. The bus driver said, "That's the ugliest baby I've ever seen."

In a huff, the woman slammed her fare into the fare box and took an aisle seat near the rear of the bus.

The man seated next to her sensed that she was agitated and asked her what was wrong.

"The bus driver insulted me," she fumed.

The man sympathized and said, "Why, he's a public servant and shouldn't say things to insult passengers."

You're right," She said. "I think I'll go back up there and give him a piece of my mind."

"That's a good idea," the man said. "Here, let me hold your monkey."

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A New Chapter

Life Goes On
Dad is gone and we miss him so much. We go forward with wonderful memories that help the pain of loss. We know things will never be the same, but time does heal, but there will always be a scar.

One of our good friends wrote the following about Dad:

How do we say, "I am sorry and I am rejoicing for him in the same sentence!?". Where would you find a better man? Mr. Ray was a man that God had made like a wedge of gold...

Thanks to All
For all the family I want to thank everyone for their care, thoughts, and concerns for us during this time. Thanks for your comments on our blogs, your cards and letters, etc. We appreciate it very much. Friends help hold us up when we are weak.

Dad’s Tomato Garden Blog
We have been asked by Dad’s friends to leave his blog on line. We plan to do that. In the days to come we may add some thoughts and share some memories about Dad. So we’ll let his blog remain as a continuing tribute to him.

The tomato plants he planted earlier this year are really growing good. Dad’s next door neighbor, Ted, is caring for them. We’ll post some pictures of Dad’s garden and his tomatoes later in the year.

Tennessee Granddaddy’s Blog
Some have asked if I plan to continue my blog. The answer is YES. I started my blog because of Dad’s encouragement, and I plan to continue. However, in the next few weeks I may not be able to post as regularly as I have in the past, but I’ll do my best to make 2-3 posts per week.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Time is precious, use it wisely.

~~~

Quote of the Day

No one can confidently say that
he will still be living tomorrow. 
~Euripides

~~~
Joke of the Day

From somewhere up north in January…

Wife texts husband on a cold winters morning:"Windows frozen."

Husband texts back: "Pour some lukewarm water over it."

Wife texts back: "Computer completely screwed up now."

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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

I wanted to let my readers know that my Dad passed away this morning while he was in the hospital. The doctors postponed surgery yesterday and again earlier this morning 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 quickly turned for the worse and died around 10:15 AM while he was asleep.

No Surgery Today

The doctors are working with Dad to make him a little stronger before the surgery. The main issue is his oxygen level which dropped last night.

If things change I'll make another post.