Tom Jennings passes

[RadSav]

I received word early Tuesday that bow pioneer Tom Jennings had passed away.  Though never a real close personal friend we spent many hours at shows and at his CA house talking archery history and bow technology.  He was an amazing man, a seemingly happy man and an inspiration to myself as a young neophyte eager to learn more about archery technology and the archery industry.  The night spent at his house telling stories around the fireplace feeling the warmth of rejected "Woody" bow risers is a memory I will cherish till my last breath.  I remember the look on his face when I realized he was burning bow risers.  He said, "There are benefits to owning a bow company.  I haven't had to buy firewood in about 15 years!"

I wish we had been given the chance to become closer friends, but industry was pulling us both in opposite directions at the time.  The last time I met him he introduced me to others as "My good friend, Bryan Fry, from Washington state".  Just an example of his warm generosity always making others feel a special connection to him and the sport of archery.  He will be greatly missed by myself and all of the archery world.

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/story/13619570344wr75rj3spc

[RadSav]

I had to pull out my Jenning Uni-Star yesterday and send a few arrows down range.  Seemed only fitting with my mind filled with memories of time we spent together.  I remembered the last time we shot together.  I think it was 1988 at Doug Walkers ranch in Squaw Valley, CA before the Fresno Safari.  Tom had a new version of the Uni-Star that never made it to market.  No steel cables!  100% fast flight strings and a much lighter riser.  He said it was the finest engineered bow he had ever built.  I had to agree! Can only imagine what he would have done with it had he had paralell limbs.  Take a bow that shot that well and make it light and vibration free.  I'd surely have liked that!  To this day that prototype bow of his was one of the best I've ever held in my hands.  And perhaps if I had been shooting it instead of what I was shooting at the safari...I might not have embarrassed myself nearly as much.  But we always stayed up too late and drank too much when bunking at Dougs place.  Never did shoot well after those nights, but it sure was worth it 

I find I'm saying it way too much lately, but Dang it if I don't miss those days!

[MLBowhunting]

Sorry to hear about him B.  Sounds like he was a great person and a good friend.  Great people are hard to find but when you do they seem to help you embrace life and make lasting memories.   

[Zardoz]

My first bow was a Jennings Mag T and I love it. Still my fvorite. 

[Smossy]

Sucks man, RIP Jennings. Chase them record bucks in the sky!

[quadrafire]

Arrowstar for me

[RadSav]

Arrowstar for me

That was my first Jennings too.  I had to really save up for that bow.  Dang it was expensive!  I think it broke the bank at $395.00.  But I absolutely had to have one - Chuck Adams shot it!  It had to be the best

[Whitpirate]

Sorry for your loss Bryan.... too often now days we're losing the foundation pieces of our lives.  Next thing you know we'll expect some young kid to be telling stories about us!

[RadSav]

Sorry for your loss Bryan.... too often now days we're losing the foundation pieces of our lives.  Next thing you know we'll expect some young kid to be telling stories about us!

Yeah, that is probably true.  But I'm sure the stories about our generation will not be of the romance, poetry and tradition of archery.  I can not think of a single talent in my generation where that could hold true.  Perhaps the St. Charles kids or Fred Eichler   Everyone these days wants to be a rock star not a musician.  And that's really sad when you think about it.  But I guess that's where all American values have gone.

And to be quite honest the loss is really not mine.  The passing of Tom Jennings is every archers loss and a great loss to our archery culture.