The rifle and pistol range in Heaven has added a new member.
John August Taffin, author, originator and Chairman Emeritus of The Shootists, and good friend has passed, aged 85, from this mortal coil and crossed the river on March 10th, after a long illness.
His presence here on Earth will be missed
Actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa found dead
Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have been found dead at their home, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office says.
In an interview with Santa Fe New Mexican, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said there was no indication of foul play and their dog had also died.
He said Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 63 and a classical pianist, were found dead on Wednesday afternoon (Thursday AEDT) at their home in Santa Fe Summit north-east of the New Mexican city.
Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Denise Avila said deputies responded to a request to do a welfare check at the home on Wednesday about 1.45pm and found the bodies.
Mendoza did not provide a cause of death for the actor, one of the industry’s most respected and honored performers, or Arakawa, his wife of more than 30 years.
HONORING A HERO
Supporting the Family of
Sergeant Major Anders T. Johansson
Sergeant Major Anders Johansson proudly served his country for over two decades, enlisting as an infantryman in 2003. His unwavering dedication to duty saw him rise through the ranks within 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group as a Special Forces Engineer Sergeant and then within the United States Army Special Operations Command, where he held numerous leadership positions.
His bravery and commitment were recognized with numerous awards and badges, including a Silver Star, a Purple Heart, eight Bronze Stars, and was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit. Sergeant Major Johansson bravely deployed on multiple occasions in support of combat operations during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Operation NEW DAWN, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, and Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.
Beyond his military service, Sergeant Major Johansson was married to his loving wife, Sarah. Together, they built a beautiful life filled with laughter and love. They were blessed with four children: Anders, Gunnar, Arete and Eowyn who will forever cherish their father’s memory.
Sergeant Major Johansson will be remembered for his strength, courage, and unwavering devotion to his family and country. His legacy of service and sacrifice will continue to inspire generations to come.
Everyone seems to wonder about Carter, when he was just another politician, though one with the narcissistic mile-wide-and-deep ego needed to want to be POTUS.
The Under- and Over-Estimated Jimmy Carter, RIP
The public appearance last fall of a senile Jimmy Carter was one of the worst cases of public elder abuse I’ve ever seen. It was ghoulish of his family to wheel him out in such an undignified condition in service of a political stunt on behalf of the Democratic Party, even if Carter wanted to bask in the glow of knowing that soon he would no longer be regarded as America’s worst modern president after Joe Biden’s ignominious end.
I generally disdain speaking ill of the recently departed, and there are some aspects of real genius to the Carter story, especially his insight into how an obscure figure could rise fast and win the presidency out of the ashes of Watergate in 1976. And we can expect a flood of encomiums in the days ahead about how Carter was an unappreciated president, and above all that he was America’s greatest ex-president.
In fact this story line has been taking shape for at least 25 years now. As disastrous as his presidency was, many Americans came to have a warm spot in their heart for Carter, sympathizing with his intentions, admiring his good works such as Habitat for Humanity, fighting to eradicate horrible diseases in the Third World, and hopeful about his globetrotting efforts on behalf of peace. People magazine, which Carter criticized during his presidency for its focus on self-absorbed celebrity, wrote about him 20 years ago: “Almost everyone agrees that Jimmy Carter was not our best President, but as former Presidents go, he’s tops,” while Time magazine wrote that Carter is the “consensus best ex-President.” Carter’s former chief of staff Jack Watson remarked effusively that Carter is “the only man in American history who used the United States presidency as a stepping-stone to greatness.” Howard Baker said in the 1980s that “history will be kind to Jimmy Carter.”
I’ll leave to another time evaluating both his presidency and ex-presidency, and for the moment reflect merely on how Carter’s character and capacities were both underestimated and overestimated from the very beginning and continuing to this day.
The Crocodile From ‘Crocodile Dundee’ Dies At 90, But Is Paul Hogan Still Alive?
It’s a sad day in Hollywood.
Burt, the Saltwater crocodile many may recognize from the 1986 comedy Crocodile Dundee, has reportedly passed away. The crocodile was estimated to be over 80 years old.
His passing was announced in a statement from the Australian herpetarium and aquarium Crocosaurus Cove, which noted that Burt “passed away peacefully over the weekend.”
The statement notes Burt was captured in the 1980s in the Reynolds River and came to Crocosaurus Cove in 2008, where he lived until his final days.
“Known for his independent nature,” the statement notes. “Burt was a confirmed bachelor—an attitude he made clear during his earlier years at a crocodile farm. His fiery temperament earned him the respect of his caretakers and visitors alike, as he embodied the raw and untamed spirit of the saltwater crocodile.”
The statement continues, “Burt was truly one of a kind. He wasn’t just a crocodile; he was a force of nature and a reminder of the power and majesty of these incredible creatures. While his personality could be challenging, it was also what made him so memorable and beloved.”
While this is tragic news, Burt should not be confused with comedy legend Paul Hogan, who wrote and starred in Crocodile Dundee as the titular character, Mick “Crocodile” Dundee.
Hogan is very much alive and well! His most recent projects include the 2020 comedy The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee, which features Hogan as himself attempting to rehabilitate his career before he gets knighted, as well as a role in the 2018 comedy That’s Not My Dog!
He also reprised his role as Mick ‘Crocodile’ Dundee in the 2018 comedy from Danny McBride, who plays his son Brian Dundee.
A socialist and a gun grabber, I never cared much for his musical ability either, but he was a passable actor.
Kris Kristofferson, singer-songwriter and actor, dies at 88
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kris Kristofferson, a Rhodes scholar with a deft writing style and rough charisma who became a country music superstar and an A-list Hollywood actor, has died.
Kristofferson died at his home on Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday, family spokeswoman Ebie McFarland said in an email. He was 88.
McFarland said Kristofferson died peacefully, surrounded by his family. No cause was given.
May the Force Be With Him: RIP, James Earl Jones
As I recall, the first time I saw James Earl Jones in a film (not counting his uncredited voicing of Darth Vader in “Star Wars”) was in 1997, in the Michael York/Marty Feldman comedy “The Last Remake Of Beau Geste,” in which Jones played “the Shiek.” Later, on a television Saturday matinee, I saw him as a young United States Air Force Lieutenant Lothar Zogg in “Doctor Strangelove.”
Now, James Earl Jones is gone, having died in his New York home. He was 93.
James Earl Jones, the revered actor who voiced Star Wars villain Darth Vader, starred in Field of Dreams and many other films and Broadway shows and is an EGOT winner, died this morning at his home in Dutchess County, NY. He was 93.
His reps at Independent Artist Group confirmed the news to Deadline.
Widely regarded as among the world’s great stage and screen actors Jones is one of the few entertainers to have won the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony), though his Academy Award was Honorary. Jones has received two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Daytime Emmy, a spoken-word Grammy Award in 1977 and three Tony Awards.
James Earl Jones’ range was as great as his voice was deep and magnificent. He played such different roles as Thulsa Doom in the original film adaptation of “Conan the Barbarian,” Admiral Greer in “Patriot Games” and several other adaptations of Tom Clancy’s work, as well as lending his legendary voice to a variety of features from Disney’s “The Lion King” to narrations of dozens of documentaries and other productions.
Jones’ honors and awards were as varied as the roles he played.
He was nominated for a Lead Actor Oscar for his role in The Great White Hope (1971) and was given an honorary Oscar at the 2012 ceremony. An eight-time Emmy nominee, his two wins both came in 1991: Lead Actor in a Drama series for Gabriel’s Fire and Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special for Heat Wave.
Jones also was a 2002 Kennedy Center Honoree and received Lifetime Achievement Awards from SAG-AFTRA in 2009 and by the National Board of Review in 1995.
Also a commanding presence on the Broadway stage, Jones earned four competitive Tony Award nominations for Best Actor in a Play, winning twice for his performances as Jack Jefferson in The Great White Hope in 1969 and as Troy Maxson in August Wilson’s Fences in 1987. He received a Special Tony Award at 2017 ceremony.
Hollywood is a bit messed up these days, but James Earl Jones was an example of what an entertainer could be: Talented, focused, and dedicated to his craft. The world of show business is now a poorer place for his passing.
If to mark the event, you want to see one of Mr. Jones’ lesser-known works that is nonetheless wonderful and touching, seek out the 1996 film “A Family Thing,” in which Robert Duvall co-stars as James Earl Jones’ brother. Yes, really. It’s a heartwarming piece about how people from different backgrounds can learn to see each other as family – a lesson we could all use as a reminder today.
Paul Harrell, YouTuber And Gun Rights Activist, Dies
Paul Harrell, a renowned gun rights activist and firearms expert with over a million YouTube subscribers, has passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer. The news was shared by fellow YouTuber Tom Grieve, who posted on X, “I just learned and was given permission to share that Paul has passed. A true lion of men, a paragon of integrity, the gun dad of the internet, and a role model for us all. May he continue inspire and call us to be better and do more. Rest in peace.”
The announcement came shortly after Harrell’s brother released a video indicating that his time was running short. Following his passing, fans and followers took to social media to honor his legacy.
“RIP Paul! This is a loss for not only his loved ones, but an entire community, that will be felt for a long time. Let’s ordain him the Patron Saint of something,” one person wrote on X.
Another wrote, “Paul Harrell passed away today. He fought hard, and he’s finally at peace. A lot of you have never seen his videos, but Paul, even as his page grew, never developed an ego or changed. He was always willing to help anyone and did so because he loved it. He was the gun dad for many who didn’t have anywhere to get advice from. Rest in peace, Paul, and may God welcome you in open arms.”
A third person expressed, “A GunTube legend passed away today. Paul Harrell will live on forever for his contributions to our nation and to the 2A community. Rest in peace Paul. You will be missed but never forgotten.”
Another person wrote, “I will always miss Paul Harrell. He had the greatest knowledge and experiences when it came to firearms and hunting, and he lived a legendary life being involved in several shootings. The man had influenced my purchases even his video made me buy a Beretta 92. RIP Paul God bless.”
In July 2023, Harrell announced his diagnosis of Stage 2 pancreatic cancer and said he would be around “for a long time.”
Bob Newhart, Dean of the Deadpan Delivery, Dies at 94
Bob Newhart, the beloved stand-up performer whose droll, deadpan humor showcased on two critically acclaimed CBS sitcoms vaulted him into the ranks of history’s greatest comedians, died Thursday morning. He was 94.
The Chicago legend, who won Grammy Awards for album of the year and best new artist for his 1960 breakthrough record, The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, died at his Los Angeles home after a series of short illnesses, his longtime publicist, Jerry Digney, announced.
The former accountant famously went without an Emmy Award until 2013, when he finally was given one for guest-starring as Arthur Jeffries (alias Professor Proton, former host of a children’s science show) on CBS’ The Big Bang Theory…..
MARK HAMPTON, WRITER AND HANDGUN HUNTER, PASSES AWAY
Mark Hampton, world-famous handgun hunter, author of the Handgun Hunting column in American Handgunner and an old friend of mine, passed away suddenly while on his latest African big game hunt. Details are limited right now, but it seems Mark passed away on day two of the hunt from natural causes, doing what he loved to do most — hunt!
I’ve known Mark for 25 years and brought him aboard to write his iconic column in Handgunner to replace J.D. Jones — tough shoes to fill! Mark’s modest demeanor and easy story-telling prose often hid the fact he was likely the world’s number one handgun hunter. Mark hunted on every continent, taking hundreds of game animals of every type with many landing in world record books. He hunted in Africa almost 30 times, and his tales of hunts around the world and the guns he used graced the pages of American Handgunner and GUNS for almost two decades. Yet, when my wife and I hunted with Mark and his wife, Karen, on their farm in Missouri, he was always a pure gentleman, caring and humble about his many talents and experiences.
Mark also wrote several books on handgun hunting and hundreds of articles in publications across the industry. His legacy of knowledge, consideration, thoughtful help and sincere desire to help new hunters learn the ropes will be missed by all who knew him.
Our hearts go out to his wife, Karen and to the family members.
It is with great sadness that we announce that San Francisco Giants Legend and Hall of Famer Willie Mays passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93. pic.twitter.com/Qk4NySCFZQ
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) June 19, 2024
Reports on many venues are that Mike Venturino passed away yesterday from heart related problems.
May 26, 2024
25 years ago, Mom passed away in surgery for a Aortic dissection. Time does not heal all wounds.
MILESFORTIS WILL RETURN.
Bud Anderson, last surviving World War II triple ace pilot, dies at 102
The last surviving World War II triple ace pilot died at age 102 this week, more than 75 years after serving in the U.S. Air Force and flying missions over Europe, the Washington Post reported.
Brigadier General Clarence E. Anderson, better known as “Bud,” died peacefully in his sleep on May 17, his family said in a statement on his website.
“We were blessed to have him as our father,” the statement read. “Dad lived an amazing life and was loved by many.”
Anderson is survived by his two children, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. His wife, Eleanor, died in 2015.
Anderson, who was born in California and learned to fly at 19, served two combat tours during World War II, according to his website. He escorted heavy bombers over Europe from November 1943 to January 1945, flying 116 combat missions and destroying over a dozen enemy aircraft in aerial combat as part of the 357th Fighter Group, nicknamed the “Yoxford Boys.” He was the highest scoring ace in his squadron, according to his website.
Anderson’s other military service included serving as the commander of a squadron in post-war Korea and as the commander of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing during combat in Southeast Asia.
During his military service, Anderson earned 25 medals, including two Legion of Merits, 16 Air Medals and “many campaign and service ribbons,” according to his website. He has also been recognized as a fighter ace, or a pilot who has destroyed five or more enemy aircraft in aerial combat, three times over.
When not overseas, Anderson was a fighter test pilot and served multiple roles, including as the deputy director of flight test operations at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. In total, Anderson logged over 7,500 flying hours in more than 130 types of aircraft.
Anderson retired from the Air Force in 1972, and joined the McDonnell Aircraft Company and spent 12 years serving as the manager of a test facility at Edwards Air Force Base in in California. He retired fully in 1984, published an autobiography in 1990, and quit flying at 90 years old but continued to lecture on the topic and consult on computer flying games, according to his website.
Anderson was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2008 and the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in 2013, according to his website. He received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2015. In December 2022, he was given an honorary promotion to Brigadier General at the Aerospace Museum of California.
Legendary ST. LOUIS CARDINALS MLB manager Whitey Herzog dead at 92
Herzog helped the Cardinals to a World Series in 1982
Baseball Hall of Famer Whitey Herzog, who won a World Series as manager with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1982, has died, the team announced Tuesday. He was 92.
Herzog played eight years in the majors before heading into the dugout. He was a manager for the Texas Rangers and California Angels for part of the 1973 and 1974 seasons, respectively, before finding some success with the Kansas City Royals and later the Cardinals.
Manager Whitey Herzog, #24 of the St. Louis Cardinals, looks on from the dugout prior to the start of a Major League Baseball game circa 1989. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
“The entire Cardinals family is heartbroken to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer and World Series champion manager Whitey Herzog at the age of 92,” the Cardinals said in a statement posted to X.
O.J. Simpson Has Died.
On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer.
He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace.
-The Simpson Family
— O.J. Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) April 11, 2024
RIP
Tommy Smothers
Tom Smothers, half of the Smothers Brothers and the co-host of one of the most socially conscious and groundbreaking television shows in the history of the medium, has died at 86.
The National Comedy Center, on behalf of his family, said in a statement Wednesday that Smothers died Tuesday at home in Santa Rosa, California, following a cancer battle.
Gaston Glock
Gaston Glock, the reclusive engineer and tycoon who developed one of the world’s best-selling handguns, died on Wednesday aged 94, Austrian news agency APA said.
The Austrian won loyal followings among police and military across the world with the weapons that bore his name. Forbes estimated his and his family’s fortune at $1.1 billion in 2021.
Emilie was the wife of long time friend and fellow Shootist, Tom Lindner, and a good friend in her own right.
