PASSINGS

Rock Island Armory and Armscor announced that Martin Tuason, its President and Chief Executive Officer, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. Tuason became President and CEO in 2012, continuing the Tuason family legacy that began when his grandfather, Celso Tuason, transformed a small retail sporting goods store into Arms Corporation of the Philippines (Armscor) in 1952.

Barbara Mellman Skinner, longtime Bushnell Optics Public Relations representative, former Advertising and Product Specialist, passed away on October 22, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona. Editors and outdoor writers covering Bushnell’s new products, including competitive shooters seeking the right optic, all knew Barbara as their go-to trusted expert.

Nosler®, Inc. is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Robert “Bob” Nosler, our Chairman, on September 2, 2025, at the age of 79. Bob dedicated his life to carrying forward the innovation and spirit that defined Nosler from its beginning, a company founded by his father, John A. Nosler. During his four decades of leadership, Bob guided the company through significant expansions and innovations.

With heavy hearts, Gun Owners of America (GOA), Gun Owners Foundation (GOF), and Gun Owners of California (GOC) announce the passing of Sam Paredes, a GOA Board Member, a leader within GOF, and the longtime Executive Director of Gun Owners of California (GOC). Sam’s life was marked by an unwavering commitment to defending the Second Amendment and advancing the cause of liberty for future generations.

We at Ed Brown Products are deeply saddened to report that Ed Brown, industry icon and founder of Ed Brown Products, passed away at his home on September 15, 2024, after an intense battle with an aggressive, un-treatable liver cancer.

Longtime writer and American Handgunner Magazine Contributing Editor Mike “Duke” Venturino has died. Mike passed away June 9, 2024, at his Montana home after a short illness.

From Bill Wilson, "The Wilson Combat team and I mourn the passing of industry icon Melvin Forbes. Unfortunately, I didn't know Melvin in person until May of 2022 and had only known him by his reputation as the godfather of ultralight hunting rifles."

On Thursday, March 21, Joseph M. DeCosta passed away. He was 91. For 30 years, Mr. D. was the man who made the National Matches happen. He would arrive in May, two months before the Matches started, and leave in September, a month after they ended.

Mack Gwinn III advised of the passing of his father, Captain Mack Gwinn, Jr. CPT Gwinn developed multiple firearms designs. According to the obituary, "Following his retirement from the Army, Mack began his lifelong career as an inventor and entrepreneur, ultimately filing nine patents."

James (Jim) Easton passed away at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and friends. He was 88 years old. His family-owned archery companies, Hoyt Archery, and Easton Technical Products, employ more than 400 workers in Utah and Indiana. Mr. Easton is survived by his wife of 29 years, Phyllis, son Greg, daughter Lynn, and three grandchildren. The family will celebrate Jim’s life at a private memorial observance.

Legendary industry range designer Clark Vargas, 78, died August 1 following a battle with cancer. A native of Barranquilla, Colombia, Vargas was a professional engineer, United States Army veteran and dedicated supporter of the shooting sports.

Smith & Wesson announced that former CEO and longtime board member Michael F. Golden passed away unexpectedly on June 5th, 2023. Mike was a pivotal member of the Smith & Wesson family for many years and served as President and Chief Executive Officer from November 2004, until September 2011 and remained Co-Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors until present day.

The Second Amendment Foundation announces the loss of one of their founding directors and secretary, Sam Slom of Hawaii. He was 81.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program announces the passing of Major Larry Pendergrass, U.S. Army, Ret, on Sunday, May 14, 2023.

Well-known competition shooter Michael Plaxco of Corinth, Texas, passed away on May 17, 2023.

John Linebaugh, 67, of Clark, Wyoming, passed away on March 19, 2023. Linebaugh was an American gunsmith who gained international renown for creating custom revolvers in the largest calibers in the world. He invented the .500 Linebaugh caliber — the first successful .50 caliber revolver (and cartridge) in 1986. He is also credited with inventing the .475 Linebaugh cartridge, which he perfected in 1988.

The staff of Rock River Arms mourns the untimely loss of Steve Mayer, a 20-year employee of the company and an integral part of the sales and product development teams. Steve passed away October 12, 2022.

"We at Ed Brown Products are deeply saddened to report that John May, Sales and Marketing Director, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 2. He will be greatly missed by our team."

United States Marine Corps veteran Hershel “Woody” Williams died Wednesday at 3:15 a.m. at the Huntington, West Virginia, Veterans Affairs hospital named after him, according to a statement from his foundation. Williams, 98, was the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.

Our dear friend and longtime industry insider George Trulock, founder of Trulock Choke Tubes, died June 13 of pancreatic cancer.