Oak tree outdoors/Ron Sappington

[Dutch Dog]

Fellas, There was a 22 year old young man killed this weekend here in Desoto county named Ron Sappington. I know a Ron Sappington that works at Oak Tree Outdoors and have hunted with him and some of the other boys from up there many times. Although we weren't what you would call close friends we were "hunting buddies" nonetheless. I was wondering if anyone on here can confirm or refute whether that person and him are 1 and the same? In case any of you are wondering which one of the guys I am referring to at Oak Tree, he was the one that had kinda reddish hair, about 5'10" or so and weighed about 150-160 lbs.

[deltaduxs]

Sorry to say but yes they are one in the same. Ron Sappington, Jason Hill, and Jason Smith were all in a fatal car accident yesterday. I am planning on attending Rons funeral if you would like me to post funeral arangments when they are available.

[Dutch Dog]

Jason Hill, and Jason Smith. Do you know anything about them. Those names sound familiar. According to the paper the wreck was in the curve on 301 at Wilson Mill rd. Anyone familiar with that curve, its a 90 degree turn at the bottom of 2 separate hills. I grew up fishing several ponds in that general area and my family and the Wilsons are long long time friends.

[Doc & Nash]

Jason Hill is a grad from Southaven High not sure what year. His father is Tommy Hill who hunts on the Mudhole, if you have every been down there Mr. Hill was most likely referred to The Mayor.

I am unsure about Jason Smith, if anybody knows who this was any post would be greatly appreciated, I know two Jason Smith's from that area.

Please keep the families in your prayers.

[Dutch Dog]

Ok, Now I am not saying this is him or anything, but I know a fella named Kyle Hill that would be about 26 years old or so, that I know for a fact has hunted the mud hole before. I don't know if that is the same person or not. Does anyone know? I am at a loss here guys...I don't want to go making phone calls especially about something as sensitive as this. I wish there was a media source I could contact that had more info.

[deltaduxs]

Kyle is Jason's younger brother, Jason is about 30 or 31 he was a good friend of mine during school days and he got me hooked on duck hunting I can remember skipping school to hunt together, I havnt talked to Jason in about 5 years, strange how you just lose contact with you old buds after school, man we had some good times together, sorry I didnt know the Smith boy, but I am sure he was a good ole boy to, I know Hill and Sap were to of the greatest.

[Dutch Dog]

Damn. I don't know why that didn't click. I know Jason too. I can remember us going out to Denim and Diamonds and Cowboys (country bars) about 6 or 7 years ago. I talked to him almost 2 months ago at Backtracks in Lake Cormorant. We both just happened to be there watching Gabby Johnson play on a friday night and talked for quite a while about the duck season since it had just closed. I know him, Kyle, and their sister Brooke. I don't know why it didn't click. Anyway, they were good people for sure.

[deltaduxs]

yes they were good folks, I imagine Dutch Dog you and I have met before it sounds like we are about the same age, and I am sure we have run into each other at oak tree.

[bwm]

Was the Smith Boy from Olive Branch? I went to school with a Jason Smith from Olive Branch. Bout the same age.

[deltaduxs]

yes, the paper says he was from OB

[deltaduxs]

Rons viewing (closed casket) will be from 6-8 this evening at Forest Hill funeral Home (Holmes RD) and his funeral will be tuesday at 10:00.

[ March 25, 2002: Message edited by: DRYLOK ]

[BigGun]

Damn thats sad. Didn't know him personally but he always did me right up there at oak tree. A heart felt sorrow goes out to everyone who knows him and too his family.

[Dutch Dog]

From what I have heard it must have been one TERRIBLE accident. The fact that it is a closed casket "viewing" tells me it must have been bad in itself...along with some of the details in the paper about the vehicle being cut completely in two. We can only hope there was no suffering, if there is anything we can "hope" for in a situation like that. I sure am gonna miss them early dove and teal seasons with Ron. We had some good times for sure. It's kinda funny how we met....we were teal hunting separately and they just happened to set up kinda close to us. I didn't mind since there were 3 separate groups trying to hunt about 15 acres of marsh. They shot 1st that morning and it happened to be a big old fat greenhead (which just happened to fall in our decoys) anyway, I had Dutch with me he was 4 months old at the time...he retrieved it an brought it right back to me. I kinda let them know my displeasure with their shooting an out of season bird and it falling in our spread and now my dog retrieved it to me. if a game warden happened upon us PRESTO instant ticket for me. This is a testament to how good of a person he was. They (Ron and his buddy Darren) apologized repeatedly, came over, got the bird, and we ended up hunting the rest of that morning together and we all limited out. He sure will be missed.

[deltaduxs]

this was in todays paper, read the obituaria for Jason Hill "member of the mudhole duck club." www.gomemphis.com/mca/archive/0,1426,MCA_561_03-26-2002,00
Jason I have you to thank for getting me hooked on duck hunting.
you will be missed buddy!

[ March 26, 2002: Message edited by: DRYLOK ]