Lt. Colonel Robert K. Brown, founder of Soldier of Fortune magazine, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2026. His wife Marie honored his wish for privacy until November 2nd, marking what would have been his 95th birthday.
Benchrest Shooting Hall of Fame member and firearms industry executive John "Jack" Neary passed away on September 25. Neary, a Capstone Precision Group executive and Team Lapua member, set multiple world records and dedicated decades to mentoring shooters through clinics and his YouTube channel All Things Benchrest with Friends.
Benelli USA mourns the passing of Steve Otway, former CEO and founding figure who passed away August 23rd following a battle with Parkinson's disease. Otway was instrumental in developing the Super Black Eagle shotgun and Benelli's Direct-To-Dealer model, establishing the brand as a dominant force in U.S. hunting and shooting markets.
Barnes Bullets announces the passing of Randy Brooks, the company's former owner and creator of the revolutionary Barnes X Bullet®. Brooks and his wife Coni purchased Barnes in 1974 and transformed it into a trusted leader in the hunting and shooting industry through innovation and dedication to their employees.
Bob Morrison, a prominent 50-year veteran of the shooting sports industry who served as President and CEO of Taurus USA and held executive positions with Smith & Wesson, Colt, U.S. Repeating Arms, and Bianchi Holsters, passed away June 10, 2026. A West Point graduate and U.S. Army officer, Morrison was dedicated to Second Amendment advocacy through the NRA and NSSF.
Lee Hoots, a respected editor of Rifle and Handloader magazines at Wolfe Publishing and former editor of Guns & Ammo, died February 6, 2026, at age 57 due to early-onset dementia. He had a 30+ year career in outdoor publishing with Western Outdoor News, Outdoor Sportsmen Group, and Petersen's Publishing.
Dennis Highby, former Cabela's CEO who joined the company in 1976 and led it to become a $4 billion outdoor retailer, passed away February 26 at age 76. Highby was instrumental in Cabela's growth, IPO in 2004, and was credited by industry leaders like Gary Loomis and Tim Leatherman for launching their success.
Evernham & Associates founder Michael Boyd Evernham, 80, died Friday, January 9, 2026 in Fishers, Indiana. A longtime industry figure, Evernham held positions with Simmons Gun Specialties and Winchester-Olin before founding Evernham & Associates in 1983. A renowned shotgunner, Evernham was inducted into the Indiana Trapshooters Hall of Fame in 2020.