Tomato King Bubba Crosby, 1926-2023
We have lost a Lowcountry legend. The family of Bubba Crosby alerted the public that the family patriarch passed away at age 96 on Feb. 26.
Here is the obituary from Sauls Funeral Home:
“Richard Blake Crosby Jr (Bubba) aged 96, passed from this life and went to be with the Lord on February 26, 2023 surrounded by family. He loved his family and his life was a testimony to hard work and clean living.
After serving his country in World World II, he returned home to begin a career of farming and soon married Joyce, his beloved wife of 69 years who passed away May 28, 2022. They raised four children Richard (Ricky) Blake Crosby III (Laurie), Karen Hettinger (Steve), Janice Austin, Cheryl Phillips (Dave) with 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He lived his life in Beaufort and Jasper counties where he also farmed until he was in his sixties. He then started a sandblasting company and worked until his late eighties.
He always had a passion for the outdoors playing ball, hunting and fishing. He really loved telling exciting stories of his outdoor adventures. He played softball until age 79 and hardly ever missed watching an Atlanta Braves game. He loved planting a garden and was well known for his delicious “Bubba” tomatoes. He loved sharing his produce with everyone. He is greatly loved and will be missed by family, friends and community.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, March 3, 2023 at Sauls Funeral Home, 90 Simmonsville Rd, Bluffton. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:30 pm until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Bluffton Cemetery.”
There are so many Bubba stories that will come out over the next few weeks. He will be celebrated Saturday, May 4 at the Bluffton Plant and Flower Show on Calhoun Street — an event we were hoping he could make in person, but it was time to join his beautiful Joyce.
Here is a video from Cheryl Crosby Phillips just giving you a taste to Bubba’s power for storytelling right to the end:
