It is with great sadness that I pass on the news that Ron LaClair has gone onto the happy hunting grounds last night. Ron was staying in his new cabin on his family farm that he so much enjoy. As I get information about memorial services I will post them here.
My thoughts and prayers are with Ron's children and grandchildren as they mourn the loss of their patriarch.
At some point I may also post a thread to honor the favorite stories and memories of Ron if Terry is ok with it.
Ray Lyon
Shrewhaven member
So very sad to hear. Just the other day I was thinking that he hadn't posted in a while. Prayers for Ron and the LaClair family.
Oh man. Thoughts and prayers for his family and friends. Always wanted to meet him in person.
RIP
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My condolences to his family and friends. Sad news.🙏
God speed Ron !
Prayers up for all his family and friends!!!!!
Bisch
Prayers sent
Condolences
RIP Ron. Prayers for his family
Amen Ron,
Rest in peace.
That is very sad news indeed.
Ron's contributions to traditional archery and his contributions to the success of this community can not be easily be measured.
I would like to take this opportunity to send my deepest sympathies to his family and friends. Ron was an inspiration to archers all over the world and his voice, and stories will be sadly missed by all in the world of archery.
Under the wide and starry sky,
Dig the grave and let me lie.
Glad did I live and gladly die,
And I laid me down with a will
This be the verse you grave for me:
Here he lies where he longed to be;
Home is the sailor, home from sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Mark,
Scotland
Our Community has lost one great member, he was one of my heroes. Happy Hunting Ron.
WE have lost a great friend. This is so sad. Thank you for sharing Ray and letting us know.
May his family & friends have comfort.
RIP
such a great man what a terrible loss! he will be greatly missed!
Very sad news, wanted to see him at the Expo in Kalamazoo, but things just didn't work out this year. I have a couple pictures to post when you start your new thread Ray. Prayers and condolences to Ron's family and all of The Shrew Haven Crew.... :pray: God speed Ron, you are with your Redbird again.
Jason
Deepest sympathies and prayers sent for Ron's family and friends. Ron was a true legend and he will be missed by all of us in the traditional archery family. Tradcat
Oh my....
Prayers to family and friends from WV
God Speed my friend..
I sold and gave Ron several elk horns over the years, one he built his walking stick with, he would go out of his way to find me at Comptons to inquire about elk horns, we always had "good deal"
Hope you have your walking stick with you, Im sure we will trade again.
Our Brother comes to you, as swift and straight, as an arrow shot into the Sun.
Welcome him, to his place at the Eternal Campfire. We will see him again....
:archer: :archer: :archer: :archer: :campfire: :archer: :archer: :archer: :archer:
So sad to hear!!! :( prayers to his family. I always loved his pics as they were always so cool. The only positive I can think of he will be with his lovely wife Nancy
No longer mourning Red Bird.
God's speed brother.....
Sorry to hear this, he will be missed.
Prayers for the family.
:pray: :pray:
Prayers for Ron, family, and friends.
Prayers for Ron's family. God speed Ron! You will be greatly missed.
>>>————->
I got the call from Bill LaClair this morning. Oddly enough, I had a S&W Model 29 in my hand that Ron and I have swapped back and forth a few times. I knew what the conversation was going to be...
Ron had been struggling with some heart trouble, but in "Lobo" fashion he chose to tough it out. The Doctor wanted him to be under care....Ron wouldn't have it. He was going turkey hunting. He hunted pretty hard the last several days. Last night he told his son he was sleeping in this morning, not feeling so well. Bill LaClair found him in the cabin this morning.
Ron had lots of friends. There are dozens, if not hundreds of stories we could tell. Me and some of the boys shared a few this morning. I'm glad we were on the phone. I'm not sure I could have had those conversations with my Shrew Haven brothers face to face. For whatever reason, it was especially hard talking with Tim Cosgrove about it. We have had some lively times...
One thing small to share....Ron called himself a "Venerated Elder" once. I knew what he was talking about, but I always played dumb and would say "Ventilated Elder". It used to get him pretty riled up.
I will miss the Old Fella........
Our loss, heavens gain, happy trails Ron. :pray:
So sorry to hear this! Ron was a great man! Our prayers are with his family.
Requiescat en Paz Sir. May you have many happy trails. May your memory spring eternal with your brothers of the bow.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2:
Sorry to hear this. RIP Ron. My prayers go out to him and the family
Thoughts and prayers are with Ron's family and friends.
:notworthy: Rest In Peace :pray: he had good taste in knives !!!
Prayers sent.
Lost a legend. Condolences to the family.
Ron lived the life he loved. He was an inspiration to thousands of traditional bowhunters, myself included. I kiddingly started calling him "Ham Hands" over 40 years ago. Every time I shook hands with him, I reminded him that his hands and fingers were several sizes too big. I tried on his shooting glove once....very impressive! Ron was gifted in everything primitive... buckskin and wool clothing, poetry, simple bows, hunting camp atmosphere and good friends. He inspired a lot of lives. Happy trails old friend. We will miss you.
What a very special Man.....His love for traditional Bowhunting & Archery was relentless.
My condolences to the many family , friends , brothers & sisters of the bow.....
He will always be Papa Laclair to me ......peace my friend.
Sorry to hear that. I liked his information. He was very nice to me personally when I had dumb questions. Seems like he had a nice cabin.
Tedd
I never met Ron in person, but spoke to him several times on the phone about his bows. Even on the phone, he made you feel like he was your favorite uncle. God speed, Ron!
Man that's tough to hear. He was legendary and such a nice guy. Always took the time when I had a question or just wanted to talk. He is with Redbird again like he's supposed to be. RIP Ron!
I didn't really know him, but did have the opportunity to talk with him several times at Compton years ago. He was one of the great ones and will be sorely missed. A truly great man.
R.I.P. Ron
So sad to hear! Prayers!
So very sad to hear... So very grateful for everything he shared with us! What a wonderful life he lived...
Blessings Ron, rest in peace.
Randy
It is so sad to hear about this. Sincere condolences to his family. He was, indeed, larger than life.
"Flights of angels sing thee to thy rest"
Prayers for Ron's family and my condolences as well.
I am thankful to have lived during the time of Mr. Ron LaClair. I am thankful for all that I've been able to learn, read of and simply observe, even though I had never met the man in person. I saw him at ETAR many years back now..... I wanted to say hello, but did not as he was in conversation with several others at that moment and I didn't want to interrupt. I remember telling a girl I was with at the time that went to event with me "that's a legend sitting over there". Fairly certain she had no clue what I was talking about. Turns out we didn't quite mesh together very well and that courtship was brief. I believe at that ETAR, he let someone take one his personal Shrew bows to shoot the course and he ended up letting that gentleman purchase that bow afterwards because the guy liked the bow so much..... believe I read about that right here, posted soon after the event was over. An extraordinary man who will be missed by so many. And now, he is in great company on the big hunt. Thank You for everything Mr. LaClair. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends. :pray:
Sad news. When I lived in Michigan in the mid-1980's, Ron was a fixture at many of the shoots that I attended. He nearly always finished first or second. Best shooting form I have ever seen.
So sorry to hear this, I have met and talked with Ron a couple times at ETAR, so happy that I did and that I have a shrew bow and a couple of his knives. Rest In Peace Ron.
I did not know Ron, although I saw him a few times at Kalamazoo/Compton over the course of a few years. But I always enjoyed his contributions here on Tradgang.
RIP my friend.
[attachment=1]
Had a lot of fun over the years with my Super Shrews and nothing was more enjoyable than stopping by with an apple pie or some stone sheep steaks and visiting with Ron and Nancy.
Icon and legend in my book.
Thank you, Ron, for the many wonderful loves that you have so generously shared throughout your lifetime.
May God be with you!!!!!!!!!!
[attachment=1]
Ron reminded me and I'm sure many others of their grandfather. I know this trinket brought a twinkle to my grandfather and mentor's eyes in his waning years; bringing back memories of the depression and all the glory days and adventures after.
Dang it. I'm going to pour myself a Basil Hayden and toast the old kodger.
A sad day indeed.
I shared a campfire with him and his wife Rosebud at Compton.He was good company and a good storyteller.
He lived life how he wanted and had many extrordinary experiences in the great outdoors that he treasured and loved.He did things the hard way and the old school way to get the most out of life.
The Wilderness of the U.P of Michigan will be lonely without his presence it seems to me.Like a piece is missing.
Rest in peace.The Holy Spirit was with you here and beyond Ron LaClair
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No!
Oh, damn. The moment I am someplace where I will not alarm my neighbors, I will howl a long and loud howl. He, on the other hand, is one with his God, and a red bird is happy to have him back.
I will miss him greatly, he always had kind words for me.
Killdeer
Prayers are offered for his family and friends. Ron was truly a legend in our sport, and he will be sorely missed. He is home now and reunited with his beloved Red Bird. RIP.
Ron was an inspiration to me as a bowyer. He will be sorely missed... Kirk
Quote from: Killdeer on May 08, 2022, 10:12:48 PM
No!
Oh, damn. The moment I am someplace where I will not alarm my neighbors, I will howl a long and loud howl. He, on the other hand, is one with his God, and a red bird is happy to have him back.
I will miss him greatly, he always had kind words for me.
Killdeer
Killy,
On several occasions Ron and I talked privately and you were always a Tradgang favorite of his. He loved your spunky feistiness (and that you appreciate bourbon and cigar's!!).
RIP ron. I find comfort you are sharing the eternal campfire with Red Bird. Prayers for family and loved ones.
thats sad, will miss his posts.
My sincere condolences go out to all of Ron's family and friends. One of a kind, no doubt. Very admirable man worth honoring. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. We are all blessed to have been among his presence here and throughout the archery community.
Ray,
For an hour and a half I have been searching for a photo I once posted of my campfire, a bottle of Basil Hayden, a very round glass, half full, a perfectly grilled venison backstrap, with one slice laid out, and I believe a Partagas perfecto.
I think Ron took it with him.
In which case, Godspeed!
Killdeer
I am so sorry to hear this news. He was one of the good guys. He was a man's man and lived a life many only dream of. I also appreciated the fact he documented his lifestyle since childhood. "A picture is worth a thousand words."
Maybe 12 or 13 years ago I was riding a bus from Portsmouth, NH to the Boston Airport. The gentleman sitting next to me struck up a conversation telling me he was from Sweden (or maybe Switzerland? I can't remember but it was one of those South American countries :goldtooth:). The guy was just finishing up a motorcycle tour of the entire U.S. for that last month. He asked me where I was headed and I told him I was a bowhunter and headed to speak at a sports show somewhere. He said, "Bowhunter? You ever hear of a guy named Ron LaClair?" It seems he'd met Ron on the Harley tour. Then the guy made the statement, "He can really shoot that thing!" Ha. The next time I saw Ron I told him the story and kidded him he was WORLD renown. Yes.. another world famous legend has now passed on. My condolences to all his friends and family. I'll miss shaking that big paw of his. BW
Sad news. The man is a legend of our sport.
".......cause in the wind he's still alive!" - Uncle Ted
So sad to hear. May his family find comfort and may he rest in peace.
Never had the honor to meet Ron but an inspiration and influence form everything I have read or watched. He will be missed, may his memory be eternal.
Just read an account written by Ron about the history of the Michigan Longbow Association and the establishment of the Great Lakes Longbow Invitational. Impressive leader in our world of archery.
RIP ron. I find comfort you are sharing the eternal campfire with Red Bird. Prayers for family and loved ones.
Prayers of comfort and condolence go out to family and friends.
I was so sorry to see this last night. Ron and Nancy were so nice. He will be missed. Prayers for their family and loved ones.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_C5sIKWBjoY
Here's the link to Ron's deer camp on a local TV show episode
:pray:
Another legend gone. However, he is reunited with his bride. Rest In Peace Sir.
Rest in peace old timer. Truly one of a kind. Enjoyed all he added to this site.
I never met Ron but bought many bows and other gear from him though out the years . He always took time to just chat with me and no matter the subject he always left me with a kind word and wisdom . I will sure miss his contributions to archery and will never forget him .
Another legend of the longbow goes back home. Definitely one of a kind and a true "Mountain Man". He will be missed. Have to put the little Skinner on my back quiver this year...
Terrible news. Prayers for the family
One of the best!
May God rest his soul. Prayers for his family, and friends.
this is a tough one for sure. I always loved reading anything Ron posted. such a great contributor to our sport.
Prayers and sympathy for the family and friends. He always spent the time to answer any and all questions I had over the years. I also enjoyed his bows and many of the wares he sold.
I always enjoyed the stories and anecdotes that he shared. There was much to be admired about the man. Perhaps, as others have already alluded to, the most admirable quality was his love for his friends and his wife. There are few hunt camps that make an impression outside of their immediate locale. The memories and pictures that Ron posted over the years made you feel a part of the Shrew Haven experience, if only vicariously. Rest in Peace.
I'm at a loas
Quote from: Terry Green on May 09, 2022, 03:38:50 PM
I'm at a loas
Yesterday the news hit me and I was surprisingly calm. Ron had been having some heart issues and recently had a pacemaker/defibrillator put in. Our Shrewhaven gang has an ongoing phone text group and we'll share pictures and what we're up to on the group thread. One of Ron's last pictures he sent to us last week was a picture of an antique German made double barrel shotgun that he was using to turkey hunt with and the picture was the gun poking out of the blind at his decoys. I had talked to him late in the morning the day before on the phone and asked him how he was doing (one week out of surgery) he said he was ok but tired and he had got a late start on the birds that morning because he had to wait for his son to help him move his blind.
This morning I watched the TV episode I posted the link to above that was filmed at Shrewhaven. Ron talks about a lot of things but one sentence brought the above conversation full circle—-'I'm going to hunt til they throw dirt in my face'. Wow did that hit home and bring the emotions out. If you haven't watched it, click on the video and you'll get a first hand glimpse of Ron and our beloved Shrewhaven experience.
That phrase is excellent, I'd heard him say that before.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2:
When Ron was layed up with his foot, He and I "talked" quite a bit on here....
I was telling him that 30years of walking 5-6 miles a night, around that goat trail of a train yard, in any and all kinds of weather, had taken a toll on my hips and knees.... Climbing the mountain to hunt, was getting harder every year.
The boys at camp, would always offer me a ride in the sidexside, but I always said "No thanks, I'll walk"
I told Ron that I'd walked that mountain since I was a kid... Riding, just didn't feel like hunting.
Ron told me "Take the ride Chuck, we do what we gotta do, to do what we gotta do" :archer:
That was a cool video Ray. Thank you. Makes me wish I coulda experienced that. God bless ya for getting to do so
I never got the chance to meet Ron. I did talk to him and bought a pretty little Shrew Scout with copperhead skins. I feel I got to know him more through his TG posts. He will be Missed. RIP my friend.
He was a good one RIP Ron Condolence to all your family and friends
RIP ... :pray:
Ron had that yearning and style of a real mountain man ,,i appreciated every picture that he was dressed in old school, period hunting garb that was badass.ill miss it. .. Rip Brother
Sad news.
Only "knew" him from the stories told here and articles about him and now the many Tributes written here.
It seems that he had a good life well lived.
Prayers go out to his family
RIP Ron.
Prayers for his family.
A true legend! RIP
Solace to the family.
I had seen Ron at GLLI going back to the early 90's and he was always bigger than life. He was a man, who loved his wife and family along with being passionate of his archery pursuits. It was a life well lived. RIP and prayers for his family.
He was bigger than life in the traditional way of life. I only met him once at Denton Hill, but we had the privilege of working with him to develop a product with the Shrew logo. We were all lucky to have him among us. God bless you Ron , and we won't forget you. :archer2:
It seems it all started a long time ago
When as a young child he picked up a bow
Many hours he spent out bending a limb
Watching arrows fly true, then do it again
As time went on he continued to grow
With a fiery passion, and a love for the bow
One way or another he inspired us all
So with longbow in hand, I will answer the call
He will always be with us, as his memory lives on
Like our heros before him who are now gone
With his name on my arrow, I will loose it in the air
For a true legend of our sport, Mr. Ron LaClair
RIP
R.I.P. Mr. LaClair :pray:
May he RIP
Truly, one of the great one's. R.I.P. Ron.
A remarkable man that kept his row well hoed.
For over 20 years I've lived through Ron and his adventures, his passing is a crushing blow. To his close friends and family and the rest of us I offer my prayers.
I enjoyed the time travel beyond words Ron. God bless you
You 'are' a man's man!!! 😀 my generation would refer to you as a Stud!
Respectfully yours,
Rusty
Quote from: Switchensticks on May 10, 2022, 11:51:36 AM
It seems it all started a long time ago
When as a young child he picked up a bow
Many hours he spent out bending a limb
Watching arrows fly true, then do it again
As time went on he continued to grow
With a fiery passion, and a love for the bow
One way or another he inspired us all
So with longbow in hand, I will answer the call
He will always be with us, as his memory lives on
Like our heros before him who are now gone
With his name on my arrow, I will loose it in the air
For a true legend of our sport, Mr. Ron LaClair
RIP
This would be so Ron approved👍🏽
I didn't know Ron well, only met him a few times, we never had any lengthy conversations. Here are my thoughts: Ron was one of the leaders in the traditional bowhunting community, all of us owe him thanks for his contributions. Even more important, he was a good husband and a good person. He will be missed.
Unfortunately, this fall my quiver will be missing an arrow after one of my elk hunts.
As will mine, and many others I'm sure, Walt...
I'm sure as we're sitting quietly in the woods, our thoughts will turn to our departed Brother Ron.
I'm sure as well, many arrows will be shot into the sun in his honor.... :pray:
a legend lost. Prayers up.
Sad to hear this! He is a great inspiration and legend in our sport!