texasfishingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Power-Pole CS, T-Rigger, JoeGoes, EcKo
119150 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
hopalong 120,565
TexDawg 119,510
Bigbob_FTW 94,875
John175☮ 85,892
Pilothawk 83,259
Bob Davis 81,465
Mark Perry 72,280
Derek 🐝 68,311
JDavis7873 67,416
Forum Statistics
Forums59
Topics1,037,800
Posts13,934,729
Members144,150
Most Online39,925
Dec 30th, 2023
Print Thread
Great Loss to Us and Texas Parks and Wildlife #13681281 08/26/20 06:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 535
C
Catyakker Offline OP
Pro Angler
OP Offline
Pro Angler
C
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 535
Just received this email from a mutual friend of many of us here on the Forum. Please pass on your prayers for Mr Ron Smith and family. This is a great loss and he surely will be missed:

"It is with enormous sadness that I write to inform you of the loss and tragic passing of our TPWD-Inland Fisheries colleague, Ron Smith. Ron left our world on Saturday morning after a relatively brief but complicated series of health challenges. If you ever had the pleasure and privilege of knowing him, you would concur that Ron’s heart-warming smile and engaging personality, cheerful and calm demeanor, passion for our mission and heart for service will be a lasting legacy from his 57 years well-lived.

Ron joined TPWD in November 1999 as an Information Specialist in the Resource Protection Division. In that role, he was responsible for compiling information for our website on river access across Texas, which continues to be an important source of information for constituents. In 2004, he moved to the Inland Fisheries Division in Austin, where he remained for the duration of his career. In that capacity, Ron was an integral member of the multi-divisional Texas Paddling Trails team, and was an early proponent of introducing the public to paddling and all that our diverse Texas rivers have to offer. He and his colleagues enjoyed paddling across this great state, and even more importantly, working hard to ensure that others could enjoy those same experiences.

Ron’s career was accentuated by his dedication to getting people outdoors and sharing with them important messages of stewardship and natural resource conservation. Among his many duties, he coordinated Inland Fisheries exhibits at agency outreach events and managed the Angler Recognition Program. Ron was not only an exemplary employee, he loved the outdoors and enjoyed riding his bike, playing tennis, hunting, fishing, paddling, scuba diving, and playing his guitar any chance he could get. He and his beloved wife of more than 30 years, Kathy, delighted in traveling and were blessed to visit many other countries. They loved spending time with their two boys, Austin and Christian, and had many memorable family adventures. He was a cherished friend to so many of us, and will be deeply missed.

Ron’s dear friend and colleague, Melissa Parker, has shared some wonderful anecdotes from her vast memory bank of their (mis)adventures on Texas rivers, such as the Devils, Trinity, Neches, Sabine, and more. One anecdote was from the first time she drove a TPWD truck while pulling a trailer. Melissa confessed to being a little nervous pulling a trailer for the first time, but Ron provided continual reassurance as he gave helpful pointers as she headed down the road. When they pulled up to the first stop sign, they felt a bumping sensation as they slowed, and Ron reassured Melissa that she’d get used to it, and not to worry. She then looked in the rear and side view mirror to see the trailer and boat approaching on the passenger side. Melissa asked Ron if the trailer always pulled up beside the truck, or should she be concerned. Ron’s eyes reportedly got big as saucers as he bailed out of the truck saying, “Oops! I guess that was the wrong size ball; I thought it didn’t seem to fit right!” A quick trip to the nearest auto parts store averted the immediate crisis, but provided years of laughter and humorous reminiscence.

Ron graced us with over 21 years of exemplary and dedicated service to our Department and to the rivers, waters, and resources he loved. Along the way, he left an indelible mark upon all those he encountered. As he now paddles the big rivers in the sky, grinning all the while, I trust you will join me in comforting all who are now left behind. I respectfully ask that in particular you keep his beloved wife and sons, friends and family, and our Inland Fisheries colleagues and partners in your thoughts, prayers, and memories. They need them. Service arrangements are pending at this time, and we will keep you abreast as we know more.

Eternal paddling my friend. The state of Texas is indebted to you for making such a difference for our wild things and wild places and for everyone who gets to enjoy them."



Best,

C. Smith

Carter Smith | Executive Director
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Last edited by Catyakker; 08/26/20 06:19 PM.

Retired AF Security Police Chief
TPWD ELITE ANGLER
Re: Great Loss to Us and Texas Parks and Wildlife [Re: Catyakker] #13681289 08/26/20 06:22 PM
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,515
banker-always fishing Offline
Pumpkin Head
Offline
Pumpkin Head
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,515
Never met Ron but had spoken with him many,many of times over the phone! He will be missed. Praying for Ron's family and friends. The Lord Jesus Christ has control! angel2


[Linked Image][Linked Image]

IGFA World Record Rio Grande Cichlid. Lake Dunlap.

John 3:16

Sinner's Prayer. God forgive me a sinner. I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior !
Re: Great Loss to Us and Texas Parks and Wildlife [Re: Catyakker] #13681389 08/26/20 07:23 PM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,084
G
gar1970 Offline
TFF Celebrity
Offline
TFF Celebrity
G
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,084
We lost a "good guy" he will be missed! Prayers for his wife and family angel2


https://www.Jiglyf.com

TEXAS ELITE ANGLER
Re: Great Loss to Us and Texas Parks and Wildlife [Re: Catyakker] #13681444 08/26/20 08:06 PM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,810
P
Pot licker Offline
TFF Celebrity
Offline
TFF Celebrity
P
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,810
Prayers for his family angel2


Texas Elite Angler 🎣
https://www.jiglyf.com
Re: Great Loss to Us and Texas Parks and Wildlife [Re: Catyakker] #13681544 08/26/20 09:37 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 12,606
C
Curt0407 Online Content
TFF Guru
Online Content
TFF Guru
C
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 12,606
He was a good man. I talked by phone with him several times regarding water body records.

Re: Great Loss to Us and Texas Parks and Wildlife [Re: Catyakker] #13681601 08/26/20 10:18 PM
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,777
O
Osbornfishing Online Content
TFF Team Angler
Online Content
TFF Team Angler
O
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,777
I had many great exchanges with Ron. He was a great asset to the Texas Parks and Wildlife record program. He will be missed. angel2

Re: Great Loss to Us and Texas Parks and Wildlife [Re: Catyakker] #13681679 08/26/20 10:52 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4,541
J
J-Moe Offline
TFF Team Angler
Offline
TFF Team Angler
J
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4,541
I also had several conversations with Ron. It was always fun. I'm glad he got a role in the Angler Recognition program video. It was great to put a face to a name. God Bless his family. angel2

Re: Great Loss to Us and Texas Parks and Wildlife [Re: Catyakker] #13681832 08/27/20 12:45 AM
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,777
O
Osbornfishing Online Content
TFF Team Angler
Online Content
TFF Team Angler
O
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,777
Ron participated in a number of TPWD media events. Here is one:

https://youtu.be/8yHyUWhy948

Re: Great Loss to Us and Texas Parks and Wildlife [Re: Catyakker] #13682542 08/27/20 04:35 PM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 19,021
L
Laker One Offline
TFF Guru
Offline
TFF Guru
L
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 19,021
I know he has touched the lives on some of the anglers who post here. Praying for Ron Smith's family and friends. angel2

Re: Great Loss to Us and Texas Parks and Wildlife [Re: Catyakker] #13683059 08/28/20 12:52 AM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 384
H
Hunter498 Offline
Angler
Offline
Angler
H
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 384
I spoke with Ron several times and he was always helpful and patient with me and my numerous questions. Prayers for the Smith Family.

Re: Great Loss to Us and Texas Parks and Wildlife [Re: Catyakker] #13683063 08/28/20 12:58 AM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 835
P
psalty Offline
Pro Angler
Offline
Pro Angler
P
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 835
In agreement with all above- petitions to the Creator of all for peace, comfort, and blessings to Ron's family. angel


Matthew 4:19
Script-Lures by Psalty
founder and directed by the Big Fisherman
Re: Great Loss to Us and Texas Parks and Wildlife [Re: Catyakker] #13687598 09/01/20 03:17 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17,610
G
Gitter Done Offline
TFF Guru
Offline
TFF Guru
G
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17,610
Sad news. I had watched him on the Fishing For Records video. Seemed like a very nice guy who loved his job. Prayers for his family and friends. angel2

Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 1998-2022 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3