Tom Joerndt, owner of North Shore Winchester Gun Club in Franksville, Wisconsin, passed away of an apparent heart attack last week while on a duck hunting trip in Mexico. Tom was elected to the Wisconsin Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame in 1998, along with his brother Warren. Tom holds 22 Wisconsin skeet titles, including HOA seven times. Perhaps one of Tom’s most notable skeet accomplishments was sweeping the 1983 Wisconsin State Shoot by winning all four guns and HOA. Tom and his brother Warren together posted a 799×800 score for the weekend at the 1981 Firecracker Open, which was an unofficial world record at the time. Tom was not only one of the finest skeet shooters in Wisconsin history; he also supported the other shooting sports... [SEE MORE]

It is with much sadness that we report the death of John S. “Kujo” Kujawski, a long-time assistant chief referee for NSSA, on Christmas Day following a brief illness. His funeral Mass was celebrated on January 4 in East Bethany, New York. Kujawski was born in Batavia, New York, and in 1960 was inducted into the U.S. Air Force, where he was a fighter jet mechanic. After traveling all over the U.S., Europe, and Far East, he returned to New York where he worked as a tool and die maker until his retirement in 2003. He enjoyed traveling with his family in his motorhome, fishing, and exploring the outdoors. He was an avid skeet shooter and became a registered referee in 1976. He became assistant chief referee for NSSA in 2005 and helped... [SEE MORE]

The NSSA staff is saddened to report the death of Gene Stewart, a long-time Life Member and an integral part of the NSSA family. Gene passed away suddenly on December 18, 2015. According to his family, his death was caused by a brain hemorrhage. Gene was a well-known fixture at skeet shoots throughout Texas, especially at the World Skeet Championships in San Antonio. He was known as a warm, happy person with a ready smile, encouragement for young shooters, and love for his family and friends. In addition to those who were privileged to know him personally, many NSSA and NSCA members knew Gene’s name through the videos he produced for NSSA-NSCA — coverage of the World Shoot, Junior World, and other events, as well as shooting tips with... [SEE MORE]

We regret to inform you that Glenn Andrew MacWalter of Glendale, Arizona, a long-time NSSA member, NSSA director, and past president of the Arizona Skeet Shooting Association, passed away on November 8, 2015, following a courageous 11-year battle with multiple myeloma. He was 72. Glenn’s daughter Traci has been a long-time skeet referee and achieved Master Referee status at the recent World Skeet Championships. In his youth, Glenn was an Eagle Scout, later serving in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam conflict. He was an avid hockey fan, coaching his children’s teams and following the Boston Bruins and then the Phoenix Coyotes. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and skeet shooting, especially with his son and grandchildren. Glenn... [SEE MORE]

It is with great sadness to inform you that Ira Lewis Place, Jr., 71, passed away on November 7, 2015 at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ira was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 12, 1944, and was an avid skeet shooter, inventor, father, and grandpa. He was a member of the NSSA and MSA for over 40 years. Ira is survived by his wife of 50 years, Conni, sisters Sharon and Kristen, children Robyn and Ira, III, and grandchildren Corinne, Lucas, Calla, Adam, and Connor. One of Ira’s inventions was the Barrel Button worn on the shoes of many skeet shooters. Ira was active in registered skeet right up until the end of this year. He will be missed by everyone in the skeet community. Ira’s family has requested that any desired memorials... [SEE MORE]

We are sad to report the sudden death of Gary McNevin, an NSSA Life Member and friend of the association. Gary died unexpectedly on October 30 at the age of 65 at his home in Montgomery, Minnesota. He was the owner and operator of Cornerstone Equipment, engaged in selling aggregate equipment. Gary was an active skeet shooter as a member of the Minneapolis Gun Club for many years. He participated in league and registered shooting around the Midwest and in the South during the winter months. He also shot in many Mini and World Championship shoots at the National Shooting Complex. He was a Minnesota State Skeet Shooting Association national representative from 2004 to 2010. Gary was a competitor but always willing and helpful to assist new shooters... [SEE MORE]

We are sad to report the death of Harrell Howell, an NSSA Life Member from Alabama and dear friend of the association, after a long fight with several health problems. Harrell died on November 12 at the age of 73. Funeral services with full military honors were November 13. Harrell was a longtime supporter of shoots on the East coast and had worked with Forest City Gun Club for many years. He was also a Laporte dealer. His friend Ken Keth relates a story about an experience he had with Harrell at a recent World Shoot. “I was walking on Vendor Row, meeting friends and shaking hands. I saw Cory Howell, Harrell’s nephew. I said hello and we spoke for a minute,” said Keth. “As I turned to move along, this man who looked like... [SEE MORE]

NSSA member Richard M. “Dick” Dersham passed away earlier this year after a brief illness, and some of his fellow skeet shooters wish to share their remembrances of their friend. Dick was well-known in Texas skeet circles not only as an excellent shooter, but also as a person who did much to help budding shooters succeed. Many times, he loaned out his own equipment to other shooters, and he freely shared his vast knowledge of the sport. Dick always had time to help others. “When fellow shooters think of Dick, one of the first words that comes to mind is ‘excellence,'” says his friend Bob Davis. “From his successful career in the investment business to his involvement in the shooting sports, he always expected... [SEE MORE]

We are saddened to report the death of long-time NSSA member and former NSSA National Director C.C. “Dusty” Rhodes on June 12, 2015. Dusty had a 25-year career with the Florida Highway Patrol and later worked as an arson investigator with Florida’s State Fire Marshal’s office. Since 1973, his favorite hobby was skeet shooting, and he loved both the sport and the skeet family he met along the way. He represented Florida as an NSSA National Director. Among his skeet shooting accomplishments was winning the Florida State Skeet Championship three times and being inducted into the Florida Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame. A celebration of life service was held on June 15. See the complete obituary and express your condolences.... [SEE MORE]

NSSA Life Member and the man known for his role in hosting shotgunning events at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Thomas M. “Tom” Lowe, Jr., passed away on Friday, March 6, 2015, at the age of 86. Tom was the longest-serving Commissioner of Fulton County (metro Atlanta) in Georgia history, having served 40 years before his retirement at the end of 2014. Born in Gainesville, Florida, Tom earned a degree in Civil Engineering from Alabama Polytechnical Institute, which later became known as Auburn University. He was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1949, before retiring with the rank of Captain. Tom was a champion skeet shooter and member of the NSSA Senior All-American Team. In his role with Fulton County, he was... [SEE MORE]