We are saddened to report that John Martin "Tito" Killian, a member of the famous Cosmic Cowboys 5-man team who competed together in the 1970s, passed away on July 27 of COVID-19. Killian, 64, lived in Devine, Texas. Robert Paxton, another member of the Cosmic Cowboys, called his friend Tito "one of the most underrated shooters in NSSA history." He pointed out that it was "difficult to get noticed when you were shooting on the same squad with one of the most natural and best skeet shooters ever to walk onto a skeet field, Ricky Pope." Paxton cited a couple of examples: In 1977, Tito broke … [Read more...]
Final Shots: John Dinning
We are saddened to report the passing of John B. Dinning, Sr., on July 27 at the age of 91. Dinning was a member of the NSSA Hall of Fame and a Life Member of Loch Raven Skeet and Trap Center in Maryland. NSSA Executive Committee Member Alessandro Vitale remembered Dinning as a true gentleman. "He was my coach when I was in high school," said Vitale. "He taught for the love of skeet; his pay was seeing the joy of others breaking targets." Always an outdoorsman and avid shotgunner, he found his way to the Loch Raven Skeet and Trap Center soon after it opened in the late 1950s. Among his … [Read more...]
Final Shots: Allan Lehman
We regret to report that Allan Lehman of Dewey, Arizona, owner of Lehman Optical Sports Glasses, passed away on July 3. Lehman was both a shooter and a friend to skeet and sporting clays shooters who bought glasses from him and socialized during his many years of attending major shoots. In addition to shooting, he had many hobbies that included hunting, fishing, horse racing, and travel. According to NSSA Chief Instructor Ralph Aaron, Lehman taught the Level 1, 2, and 3 instructor classes for 16 years. "He was truly a subject matter expert and was always generous with his time," said Aaron. … [Read more...]
Final Shots: Chris Cantrell of Rocky Creek Sporting Clays
The entire sporting clays world was stunned by the unexpected death of Christopher "Chris" Dean Cantrell on February 17 at the age of 38. Chris was the well-known and popular general manager of Rocky Creek Sporting Clays in Richburg, South Carolina, since 2013. Prior to that, he was general manager at Forest City Gun Club in Georgia and Milford Hills Hunt Club in Wisconsin. Rocky Creek was open for shooting the day following Chris's death, with management commenting, "Chris would want people to come out and enjoy the sport he loved so much." A memorial service was held on February 21 at … [Read more...]
Final Shots: Harry Michelson
We were saddened to learn that Harry Michelson of Bolivar, Ohio, passed away on December 29 at the age of 98. Harry was a Master Referee and was named 2008 NSSA Referee of the Year. He was very devoted to skeet and refereed shoots into his 90s. Harry was instrumental in the success of St. Joe Valley Conservation Club and has been honored by the club with the Harry Michelson Open Skeet Shoot for the past five years. He was a true American hero, having had a distinguished military career that began during World War II with the Army Air Corps. He retired in 1964 from the U.S. Air Force with … [Read more...]
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