It is with great sadness of heart I announce passing of a very special Cowboy Action Shooter who was dear to all of cowboys in the Northwest.  Rogue River Ranger, SASS Life #26284, aka Richard D. Jameson, passed away of cancer on July 22, 2008 at the age of 85.

Ranger fought and won many battles in life.  He was a true-life hero and warrior in every sense.  In the summer of 1941, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and fought in the Pacific theater.  He was stationed on the peninsula of Bataan when it was captured by the Japanese.  Ranger escaped to Corregidor where he was wounded and captured by the Japanese when Corregidor fell.  He then spent the next three years as a prisoner of war.  When Japan surrendered and he was liberated, Ranger spent several months in military hospitals recovering from his long ordeal.  As a result of his dedicated service to our country, Ranger earned a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.  Ranger would continue to serve our country for another 20 year before retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant.

Ranger embodied all the quality traits we look for in tried and tested role models.  He was 78 years young when I introduced him to Cowboy Action Shooting in Southern Oregon.  He would later go on to win the Oregon State Championship in the Veterans category.  Along the way, he would introduce many others to the sport, including his grandson Purgatory Smith, SASS #48494.  Ranger provided the love, support, and motivation that would forever guide Purgatory in his pursuit of excellence in Cowboy Action Shooting.  Ranger also served on the Board of Directors for the Merlin Marauders cowboy club, and we all benefited from the wisdom of his input.

Ranger will always occupy a very special place in our hearts and minds.  He will be remembered as a ”straight shooter” and as a true hero – not only to his grandson, Purgatory, but to all those he touched in life.  Many will miss him, but all of us who remain behind will be very grateful for having known him and traveled life’s journey with an honorable friend.  Simply put, Ranger was the sort of pard we enjoyed sharing our campfire with.  Upon our own passing, we can only hope that the glow from Ranger’s campfire will lead us to him and all our cowboy pards who have passed on before us.  Thanks, old pard, for enriching our lives.

~Bear Bone Smith, SASS Life #10719

Rogue River Ranger

AKA

Richard D. Jameson