John Grumley passed away today.
John was the son of Nels Grumley, Fred Bear's Bowyer up until 1948. John grew up around his father's workbench and was a skilled traditional bowyer in his own right.
I was very fortunate to have been one of John's countless friends. Last fall I had the privilege of acquiring John's entire collection of bows and archery memorabilia, which includes dozens of items, made by and owned by Nels. After John was diagnosed with cancer just a few months ago, we talked about many things including the importance of preserving the traditional history and the artifacts.
I simply can not express what a great person John was and how much he did in his life to preserve the early history of Bear Archery from the 1930s to the 1950s.
Loosing Al Reader last Sunday, then John Grumley today, makes this the saddest week ever to the world of collecting old archery tackle.
John & Al, you guys are really missed. Our deepest sympathies to your families.
My condolences to John's family. Sorry to hear about the passing of yet another friend Wade.
Trap
Wade
Please pass on well wishes from us all, this certainly has been a sad week.
Brad
Condolences to the Grumley family. May John rest in peace.
Joe
I have a friend that used to live right around the corner from John and I had only one meeting with him. It was while I was tracking a deer my brother shot during the late bow season I believe it was either "96" or "97" he had to go home so I told him I'd find it. The area is over 1,000 acres of unbroken cedar swamp and most of it is private property but I didn't think I'd run into anyone since it was the late season, I was wrong.I was tracking the deer until I heard a voice from a tree asking what I was doing on his property and you guessed it was John. I think the only thing that saved me from a severe tongue lashing was the fact I was carrying a recurve. He said that if I made a sharp right turn that I would end up at the main road and that's exactly what I did. After that I called my brother and told him that he would have to ask permission from John if he wanted that deer since I didn't think he wanted to see me anytime soon. Anyway that's my John Grumley story I wish I had gotten into collecting sooner maybe I would have gotten to know him better. Condolences to his family.
My prayers go out to Mr. Grumley's family and friends. Truly a sad week for traditional archery.
My prayers go out to his family as well... I only met john and his son jonh jr a few times.... But man I will never forget those days... Thanks....
Cody
prayers sent from pa.
May he rest in peace and be in a good place with Fred B slinging the golden arrows
sam
What a sad day.I've known John for several years myself and he was truly a special person.As Wade said he did alot to preserve the early Bear Archery history.Condolences and prayers go out to his family.
cancer sucks.
The Funeral will be at the Martinson Funeral Home in Suttons Bay on Wednesday, June 10th at 2:00pm
The number of the funeral home is 231 271-3441
He will be missed .... :archer: Hink
Condolences and prayers go out to his family.
Man,I cant even go out of town without something happening.Prayers go out to his family.Thanks Wade for keeping us informed.
Rick - These are very sad times.
Yesterday, I was looking over many of John's bows including some of his more modern ones. The Bear Super Kodiak Commorative of John's is in its original green padded Bear bow case. John only shot it twice. First at Floyd Eccleston's 21 Arrow Salute, and second at Frank Scott's 21 Arrow Salute. There are several signatures on the bow, including yours Rick. Did you shoot with John in both of those 21 Arrow Salutes?
I did shoot in Frank Scotts 21 arrow salute.Mrs. Scott gave me a Bear key chain afterwards & I have had it hanging on the mirror of my truck eversince that day.It reminds me of Frank every time I see it.John Grumley asked every one that participated to sign the bow.I was present & watched every second of Floyds.I would love to see that bow.Frank & Floyd were friends of mine & are missed very much.I heard that The arrows that we shot were retired after Franks salute.I would ask everyone that reads this post to think a little bit about there health & to keep up on it.I dont want to come home & read one of these again for a long time.
There is a picture of the shooters in Franks salute & if memory serves me I was standing next to Charlie Kroll.I would love to have a picture of that moment If anyone has one I would be glad to pay for it + shipping.Thanks
Rick.....I have picture's of Fred's arrow salute, 7 long bow shooters, 7 recurve shooters and 7 compound shooters, I'll look to see if I have others from Frank & Floyd's salute...If I find them I'll bring them to Compton.....Hink :archer:
Rick - At Compton, I will bring the bow John used for Floyd's and Frank's 21 Arrow Salutes. I'd like to get a list of everyone who was included in both of those groups of 21 and put it with the bow.
Rick - I wasn't at Frank's salute so can not help you out with any photographs of it.
Like you, I watched every minute of Floyd's Salute and took several dozen photographs.
I know you remember this... When Floyd's son Rich came to the line with the last group, and everyone drew their bows, Rich and one other shooter, I believe it was either Frank Scott or John Grumley, were still at full draw after everyone else shot, then Frank or John shot, and Rich was still at full draw for what seemed like an eternity, after 30 seconds or more, Rich finally shot. Later Rich told me that the hardest thing he ever did was letting loose of that arrow.
Thats really great.I couldn't even imagine shooting at my fathers salute.Its a great tribute to Rich & Floyd.Havelinahink I would love to get some pictures of all 3 salutes.Wade,Dean Hall was the President of MBH. at that time & he is the one that sent me my invitation to the 21 arrow salute.He may have a list of the shooters.
I was going through some old photos and came across these.The first one is from a Compton show,I believe two summers ago.In the photo,l-r is Wade Phillips,John Grumley,Mr.Grumley's son John,and myself.That is part of John Grumley's collection in the background that Wade recently aquired.That was a great week-end.
The next photo was taken at the Chippewa Archery Shop and Museum in Mt. Pleasant Michigan.It was Floyd Eccelston's birthday party.John Grumley is on the left,Cliff Coe of Coe Archery is in the middle,and another gentleman.Sad that most of these people mentioned are gone.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e24/detroitdeerslyer/scan0007.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e24/detroitdeerslyer/scan0008.jpg)
John - Thanks for posting the photographs. I've never seen the one you took in Floyd's Shop. It is a great one of John. Did you know that on the wall right behind John is a boarded up window... With all the displays, it is nearly impossible to see it. That should have been a trivia question, it could have been a tough one.
The one of John Grumley, young John Grumley, you (John Kabisa)and me in front of the display cases, I believe was taken in 2005. That year the ABCC met in Colorado and Marv asked us to display bows at Compton. I believe the bows were displayed two other years. In 2006 they were arranged at 90 degree angles, back to back. I don't remember the other year right now. We'll have to get the dates from some old photographs so we know so sure. In any case, you 3 guys are all named John, so we can refer to this photograph as "The 3 Johns & Wade" for easy reference. I'll see if I can find some more from 2005 to confirm that.
Wade-You are probably right on the year of that top photo.I knew it had been at least a couple of years since it was taken.Hard to believe how fast the years go by.Seems like yesterday.I was thinking you might want to have your name changed too,at least for the one photo,but then I figured not everyone wants to be called a "John".LOL The second photo wasn't taken by me but it was given to me by someone else.I've got some other photos around here of John and his brother Bud at a Grayling show.If I can find those I'll post them.
John K - What do you know, just found this photograph and I remembered correctly. It is dated 2005 and was in the 2005 Compton folder.
This photograph of John Grumley was taken at the same time as yours at 2005 Compton. I wish it was better quality.
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo301/WadePhillips/JOHN.jpg)
Wade-Wow,2005,4 years ago already.Hard to believe.I guess I better date my photo too.Nice pic of John.Gonna miss him at the shows.
Wade and John great photo's guys....
Cody..
P.S I may have a pic of John and myself some where I will see what I can find.....
Cody