At 5:25 P.M. today the fishing industry took a hit. John Smith of Brownwood, Tx. lost his year long battle with cancer. I know right now many of you are asking who’s John Smith? Best answer I can give you is to look on the back of any fishing plaque hanging on your walls and chances are there’s a little tag that says J& G Enterprises or J-Ann Awards. John had been providing awards for most of the circuits and many of the clubs around the country. Many times when directors were having trouble finding award sponsors, John would furnish the awards so that no fishermen went home with out a memento of his big day. He was one of the most generous men in fishing.
John furnished many a trophy at his expense for anyone putting on events for children and readily responded to help anybody where kids were involved. I suppose this was a hangover from his coaching days. John gave the children of Texas 30 years of his life in the classroom and athletic field. There’s no telling how many young lifes were touched by him.
John was on the Skeeter Team for almost 20 years and enjoyed all the Skeeter Events. He particularly enjoyed the Skeeter/ N.F.L. events in South La. I don’t think he ever got tired of football and visiting with the pros was always an annual highlight.
Besides being a director for Angler’s Choice, John actively fished tournaments all over the country. The last few years he fished “The 2 of Us” with his wife Ann. John will be missed. He was a member of our organization often my mentor and coach, team partner, best friend and most of all he was my big brother.
He leaves behind Ann his wife, Daughter Jimmie, Son Russell and 3 grandchildren Kandi, Harper and Samantha.
Please remember his family in your prayers!
By: W. R. Smith
