HAPPENINGS


Tri-Turf Sod Farms, Inc. Co-Founder Passes It is with heartfelt sadness that we report the passing of longtime member Carleton "Carl" Pooler, Sr. Mr. Pooler, age 81, of Paris, TN, passed away Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at Henry County Medical Center. Carleton D. Pooler was born December 27, 1936, in Skowhegan, Maine, to the late Levi Pooler and the late Ernestine Bisson Pooler. On February 6, 1959, he married Georgia Wood Pooler and she survives in Paris, TN. He is also survived by a daughter, Maureen (Hal) Perry of Como, TN; three sons: Carleton Pooler Jr. of Nashville, TN, Mike (Rhonda) Pooler of Paris, TN and Jason (Tina) Pooler of Paris, TN; a sister, Laurel Pooler of Bangor, Maine; eleven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Besides his parents, Mr. Pooler was also preceded in death by a son, William Andrew Pooler; a sister, Teresa Pooler; and a brother, Oliver Pooler. Mr. Pooler was a Veteran, having served in the United States Marine Corps. He drove for Trailways Bus in Philadelphia and co-founded Tri-Turf Sod Farms, Inc. in Paris along with his sons, Jason and Mike in 1991. He retired in 2008. He loved his family and traveled to every state in his motorhome. Memorials may be made to: Boys Scout Troop #22, c/o: Trinity United Methodist Church, Attn: Tom Beasley, 409 North Wilson Street, Paris, TN 38242.


Steve Tubbs Retires from TMI After 44 years in Turf Industry An email was forwarded to Turf News the end of March. Te email had been sent out to an unknown list of Steve Tubbs’ contacts announcing his retirement. Te following has been excerpted from that email which he sent on November 9. Subject: Do not go gentle into that good night-Dylan Tomas I am remiss at not writing to you all sooner, but I mistakenly thought that if I avoided verbalization, my retirement would seem less real. I have spent a whopping 44 years in the grass seed industry, 34 of those years as proprietor of Turf Merchants, Inc. Now, at 66 years of age, I just felt it was time for me to go. TMI has been through several incarnations in 34 years as customers, products, and delivery systems changed, and I am sure it will continue to adapt to a rapidly evolving future driven by technology. I needed to get out of the way for that to happen. TMI has always been on the forefront of outsourcing and adapting to change, and my sale of stock to John Cochran anticipates the next phase of evolution in our industry as seed growers become more basic in varietal acquisition and production, and seed companies evolve into more of a service orientation requiring less personnel, assets and capital employed. I hope this is not goodbye, I am sure to see many of you again in my remaining travels through life. I will always champion causes for TMI and hope to remain its goodwill ambassador


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as long as I draw breath. In the meantime, thank you for giving me a helluva ride and a life beyond compare. All my best, always Steve Tubbs Steve can be reached at stubbs1951@gmail.com


Bobby Winstead Inducted into Special Hall of Fame


TPI member and past president, Bobby Winstead, is the latest Inductee to the Paul Piper Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. Te award is given by Briarcrest Christian School, Memphis, TN, each year to an alumnus who has shown outstanding achievement in their professional career and/ or have been recognized for their influential leadership and support of educational, civic, religious or charitable causes. Tis award was established in 2004 and is named in honor and in memory of Mr. Paul Piper, a highly successful Christian entrepreneur whose foundations have provided financial support to so many causes. Briarcrest Christian School will always appreciate and remember his generous support. Winstead was a member of the Class of 1978. Te Award was announced on April 6. Robert (Bobby) Winstead, Jr., Winstead Turf Farms, Inc., Arlington, TN, has been active on various TPI committees. He served as a TPI Board of Trustees member from 2003- 2006, then as the association’s Secretary-Treasurer, and Vice- President. He was TPI President for 2012-2013. Winstead also served as the host for TPI’s 2006 Field Day which drew over one thousand visitors from around the world to the Memphis area. In addition, Winstead has been active in the Memphis area Home Builders Association, the Tennessee Turfgrass Association and many civic organizations such as the Memphis and Arlington Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau. Other awards include the 2012 Professional of the Year Award from the Tennessee Turfgrass Association.


TPI Turf News May/June 2018


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