Owner of Blackberry Farm Sam Beall, 39, Dies in Skiing Accident

Blackberry Farm owner Sam Beall died in a skiing accident on Thursday, Feb. 26 in Colorado. Beall was 39 years old.

Blackberry Farm's released a statement on Friday saying: “The Beall family and the Blackberry Farm team are understandably shocked by this heartbreaking news about the man they loved dearly as a son, brother, father, friend and host. They welcome the thoughts and prayers of all those whose lives were touched by Sam’s hospitable nature, visionary leadership and adventurous spirit.”

The Farm's Facebook page revealed that memorial and funeral information would be announced soon. Mourners can send memorial contributions instead of flowers to the Blackberry Farm Foundation at https://www.blackberryfarm.com/foundation/give.

Beall took over the farm from his mother, Kreis Beall. He added a lot of activities to the farm including Wellhouse (an on-site spa and health center), two new restaurants and more.

Beall leaves behind his wife, Mary Celeste, and five children, Sam Jr., Lila, Rose, Cameron and Josephine.

Beall's parents, the founders of the Ruby Tuesday restaurant chain, transformed their Great Smoky Mountains property (Blackberry Farms) into a luxury resort.

"When the idea of Blackberry transformed from a family home into a business, the plan became more clear that I was going to move back to Tennessee," Beall, who was born on the property once told the Wine Spectator. As the farm grew, the family knew that it would become "a foundation to build upon for the rest of our lives. Each year it would get a little bit better."