Teunis “Tom” van Wingerden of Huntersville, founder of Metrolina Greenhouses in Huntersville and an avid auto racer, died Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009, in a vehicle accident on the grounds of his residence and family business. He was 63.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, Dec. 23, at 11 a.m. at Calvary Church, 5801 Pineville Matthews Road, Charlotte. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Calvary Church.

In a statement released Saturday, the family said: “It is with great sadness to let you know our dad and the company founder, Tom van Wingerden, passed away early this morning after a tragic vehicle accident on the property. Dad was the visionary founder, a constant inventor, a generous businessman, a missionary in Haiti, a great leader, and most importantly, a great husband, Father, and Grandfather to all of us in his family.”

Arrangements are by Raymer Funeral Home, Huntersville.

We’ll publish a full obituary when it becomes available. (Update: Read Mr. Van Wingerden’s full obituary, published Monday, Dec. 21.)

RELATED LINKS

Dec. 20, 2009, Charlotte Observer, “Metrolina Greenhouses founder dies.”
Aug. 21, 2009, Charlotte Business Journal, “Metrolina Greenhouses: A Growing Business.”