Former Senator Strom Thurmond Becomes 1st Time Grandfather at 100 [Better Late then Never]

The State ^ | June 17, 2003 | Lee Bandy

[ewing]

In a statement announcing the (9 pound, 20 inches long) baby born at 1:59PM Monday to Julie Thurmond Whitmer and Marvin Whitmer, the former Republican Senator and his wife said, 'We are overjoyed and grateful to God with the safe arrival of baby Tate.

Nancy Thurmond flew to Washington to be with her daughter.

Strom, who is in frail health, remained in his private suite at the Edgefield County Hospital, where he has lived since retiring in January from 48 years in the United States Senate.

Nancy said Monday he is doing remarkably well given his age and weakened physical state.

On Thurmonds 100th birthday, in December Julie Whitmer announced she was expecting a baby. 'You finally gave me what I really wanted,' Thurmond said after hearing the news.

[ewing]

So I take it he's not going to be a great grandfather?

[AuH2ORepublican]

"So I take it he's not going to be a great grandfather?"

---

What are you talking about? Strom will not only be a *great* grandfather, he'll be an *excellent* grandfather. : )

[Recovering_Democrat]

Tom Daschle is saddened. Deeply saddened.

[ewing]

LOL, I should have known!

[Salman]

I take it this means he was over seventy when his daughter was born?

[nothingnew]

Strom, who is in frail health, remained in his private suite at the Edgefield County Hospital, where he has lived since retiring in January from 48 years in the United States Senate.

Now that's what I call Health Care! (Do I have to be a 48 year Senator to get some of that action?...)(and I'm NOT pushing for guv health care, just want a little equitable treatment for life long pols)

The guv never ceases to amaze me...guess that's what they're there for.

FMCDH

[Moose4]

Yup Salman. His son, Strom Jr., is a U.S. Attorney here in SC (nepotism? never) and also around 30 years old. Ol' Strom is an amazing physical specimen, he was very much a fitness freak before it became trendy. He really only started to slow down after he hit 90.

}:-)4

[ewing]

Sentorial Medicare?

[ewing]

I believe his wife was 40 years younger than him..

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Nice.

[ewing]

Wasnt Strom was living in Walter Reed?

[AuH2ORepublican]

"I believe his wife was 40 years younger than him.."

---

She was 44 years younger than him (he was 66, she was 22), and she was a former Miss South Carolina to boot. Strom always had a soft spot for the ladies . . . .

[Cathryn Crawford]

Tom Daschle is saddened. Deeply saddened.

And disappointed. Extremely disappointed.

[DannyTN]

"There's a Strom approaching!" - Kelly Bundy

[Moose4]

For the last few years of his term, he was indeed living at either Walter Reed or Bethesda Naval Hospital, I forget which (heck, for all I know, they're the same thing).

People gave South Carolina loads of crap for returning Thurmond to the Senate at age 94 in 1996, but from everything people told me (I didn't move here until 1997) Strom was still sharp mentally in '96, but sliding physically. I bet people were expecting him to retire, and it's possible that he might've had SC kept a Republican governor in office. But in 1998 we got Democrat Jim Hodges, so Strom stuck it out four more years.

I would like to have met the man. He's led a fascinating, full life.

}:-)4

[jackbill]

So I take it he's not going to be a great grandfather?

I don't think that I would bet against that.

[jackbill]

Strom always had a soft spot for the ladies . . . .

Why do you use the past tense? He always HAS a soft spot for the ladies. I don't think that it has diminished. Not one damned bit.

[ewing]

I think Strom only started sliding mentally in his last years..amazing that he could stay that long in the Senate and still contribue..

[vollmond]

amazing that he could stay that long in the Senate and still contribute..

Consider the competition ...

[ewing]