lovemyhouse said:The NGA community has sustained a great loss with the passing of Leon Elliott (TBGDN). Folks had noted his absence on the forums and checking on him led to this message from his daughter, Valerie:

"Thanks for writing! Yes, my father was a legend in many aspects! His love for Jesus, his wife Tanya of 56 years, family, grandchildren & his love for flowers will never end…My father has never been a complainer of anything. He battled cancer since 2006. In 2017 he became terminal with bone cancer 😢 He tried many different things to fight this battle. He gave such a great fight! Now he is with our Savior Jesus Christ tending to the flowers of Heaven. I miss him dearly as I know all of you will! ❤ November 29, 2020 is the day he went to Heaven."

What makes his loss even more difficult for his family is that his son, Mike, died nine days later (COVID, I believe), so they have had grief compounded.

A link to this thread will be sent to Valerie so that she can see your comments, thoughts, prayers, and offerings. I have a feeling it will be a long thread.

Leon's generosity, wisdom, and good humor will be sorely missed by all of us who had the privilege of interacting with him. Rest in peace, good sir, you have certainly earned it.

Oh this breaks my heart I am so very very sorry.

Leon and I shared stories over the years about flowers and pets. He was such a kind and wonderful person.

Prayers for his family.

Prayers for you and your family, Vicki, and certainly to Leon's family.

Pirl - Let me rephrase that - my dad did pass away on that day but many years ago.

So sorry to hear this, my thoughts to his family. Always enjoyed his banners, may he have favorable winds on his journey.

Leon was one of those very special People that always lifted up and encouraged others. He was one of my most favorite people here and I hope Jesus has gardening in his plans for him. I will be excited to meet him and his family in heaven.

I was so saddened to hear this. Leon and I exchanged some irises a while back. I am so glad to have some of his cherished irises now in my garden to remind me of the great man I believe he was. He was such a good writer, I enjoyed his blog, and also his thoughtful posts. I will miss him, as I'm sure many others on here will as well. May he rest in peace.

This is a major loss for our community. Leon's many beautiful photos and kind and encouraging comments added so much to our time on this site. He will be missed greatly.

This is such sad news. Leon contributed so much to this site and he will truly be missed but he is now tending heaven's beautiful garden. Sending prayers to his family.

I'm so sorry to read about this. He was such a great member of our group here. He will really be missed.

Very sad I always enjoyed his posts in the Iris forum. He will be missed.

The loss of his son only a short time later is a tragedy on top of a tragedy and my heart goes out to the family.

So sorry to hear this, he was a great guy !

Valerie,
I am so sorry to hear about Leon and his son. God's peace to you and his family. I hope all of your wonderful memories of your father give you great comfort.

So sorry.

I am so glad I reached out to Leon before he passed on. I had no idea that he was ill.

My thoughts and prayers for Leon's family and friends. He was a wonderful man. He will not be forgotton.

My thoughts and prayers for Leon's wife and family. He was a wonderful man. He will not be forgotton.

Gulp
Such a wonderful, kind, and generous man!
I was worried--explains his absence. He has been and will be missed.

I shall have to acquire this one and grow it in honor of Leon!

TBGDN said:
Dirt, Code Of Honor really does something for me. Yes, that is a recent picture of it in the avatar. I guess it's the general appearance, color, garden health and its ability to withstand adverse weather. I don't want to "over-kill" but here is another look. (or two)

I am so sorry to hear of Leon's passing, he was such a nice man. My condolences to his family.

I bought Code of Honor because of Leon's pictures. I loved the way Leon would describe the irises on the forum. He really had a beautiful way with his words. I will truly miss him. My sympathy to his family and friends.

I'm so sorry to hear that we have lost Leon . Thankyou Leon for being a friend to all of us in the forums. I will miss you.
I send my sympathy to his family