Linda Williamson tends to her uncle’s garden. She waters the new tomato plants, small stems with a few leaves sprouting above the ground.
Her uncle, Tommy Cannon, planted this garden Thursday outside of his home. He was born and raised in the Land O Lakes wooden structure. Just hours later, his house caught fire. According Pasco County Fire Rescue, Tommy’s wife Joanne was smoking while using her oxygen machine, which started the fire.
Joanne was able to get out on her own, but Tommy had to be rescued by fire fighters.
Tommy and Joanne were airlifted to Tampa General Hospital. Joanne is expected to recover. Tommy died Friday afternoon.
But not without a fight, Linda said.
“He’s been one hell of a survivor,” she said. “My brother said last night, they say a cat has nine lives, he had a least seven.”
Linda’s uncle drove race cars while she was growing up. He herded cattle. He broke almost every bone in his body. He lived life to the fullest, she said.
“He was quite a character,” she said. “He liked his alcohol. He loved to dance and he liked the ladies.”
Everyone knew him and loved him, Linda said.
“He was one of the best men that ever put feet on this Earth,” she said.
Linda continues to water her uncle’s garden. His memory will live on and Linda will make sure his tomatoes do, too.