Trail Markers

[Hoss]

Verdadero passed June 8 2024. A great friend and cowboy.  He and I travelled to many matches together. He mentored me as I started cowboy shooting & reloading. Truly a great guy. 
 

I know he is gone with Jesus now, but I’m gonna miss him

 

Vaya Con Dios Pard

 

[Eyesa Horg]

Prayers heading up Pard

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

I am very sad to hear this.  I was glad to see him the last time I shot at the Pistoleros.  Prayers for the family.

[Abilene Slim SASS 81783]

 

[Dantankerous]

Major Art Tillery aka Travis Cady left this world on January 13, 2025 at the age of 44. He was not only Classic Cowboy through and through but cowboy in life. Some of Major's SASS accomplishments were Classic Cowboy of the year in 2018, member of the Magnificent 7, Territorial Governor, Regulator, and founder of the Classic Cowboy showdown. Major Art Tillery was the kind of friend that makes everything in your own life better; the matches more exciting, the road trips smoother, the jokes funnier, planning the next adventure more exciting. His dedication to what he loved and whom he loved was second to none. Major could run a Henry 1860 better than anyone I have seen and that takes dedication. He loved the Henry 1860 and had made that his main match choice. Major was very proud of this.

 

Honest, trustworthy, humble, hard working, principled, caring and selfless are all accurate descriptions of him in addition to him being a fun and fierce competitor in cowboy action. Knowing him and being able to share time and life with him was indeed priceless. He was a friend to all. He was loved by many and his passing leaves a void in the hearts of those who called him family and friend. Rest in Peace, brother. Until we get to ride together again...

 

 

Edited February 28, 2025 by Dantankerous

[Eyesa Horg]

RIP Major.

Prayers up for family and friends.

[Pony Soldier]

Well said Dan. I’ll miss him every time I strap on my guns. I loved him like a brother.  

[Bronc]

Reggie Byrum AKA the Apache Kid has gone on ahead to scout the trail for us! RIP

[Eyesa Horg]

RIP Kid 🙏

[Mogollon Munk,SASS#303]

I will miss Reggie. I hope his recipe for "Apple Pie" didn't leave with him. Lots of happy memories with him, Art Crofutt, at the early EOTs at Coto De Casa. Via con Dios, compadre

[Chief Rick]

The Mississippi Peacemakers lost a long time friend on Wednesday, May 7th.

 

Hawg Runner, SASS #61139, was a treasured member of the club and never failed to step up and help, even when his health was not the best.  We will all miss him.

Edited May 9, 2025 by Chief Rick

[Eyesa Horg]

Rest in Peace Hawg Runner 🙏

[Chief Rick]

Richard (Hawg Runner) Craparotta of Collins MS passed away on May 7, 2025, in Weeki Wachee, Florida at the home of his daughter with family. Born on January 16, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York, Richard lived a life marked by passion, dedication, and a deep connection to the things he loved.

Richard was the beloved child of Catherine and Angelo Craparotta, both of whom preceded him in death. He will be remembered with love by his daughter Christine Gregory and son-in-law Gregory Russell. Richard also leaves behind two cherished grandchildren, Christopher Olson (Marina) and Catherine Gregory. His memory will be held close by his sisters Michelle DiBenedetto and Leanora Chiaruttini (John).

Throughout his life, Richard found joy and camaraderie in motorcycle riding and shooting sports. He was an active participant in the Mississippi Peacemakers and the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS), communities that reflected his adventurous spirit and appreciation for tradition.

May Richard’s memory bring comfort to those who knew him and continue to inspire stories shared among family and friends. A Visitation will be held on May 15, 2025, from 04:00 PM to 06:00 PM at Dobies Funeral Home, 9944 Hudson Ave, Hudson FL 34667.

[DocWard]

I just saw on Facebook that @Paladin Gun For Hire passed away on Saturday, July 12. I didn't know him well personally, but we had communicated some, and when I thought I was going to need to get out of the sport due to financial issues, he offered me a couple of revolvers at a price I could afford. I used them for quite awhile and still have them. I will appreciate them more now.

 

I am sure that those who knew him will miss him. My condolences go out to his friends and family.

[Unexpected Bill]

It is with Great Sadness to announce the passing of Red Eye Kid of the Jefferson Outlaws. He also helped in building the Eastern Shore Renegades. He also helped many including myself in developing and helped with ideas to sustain the Quinton Mavericks. He was a Great Mentor and a terrific friend. 
Funeral plans are being made as we speak and will update when they are finalized.

Unexpected Bill

[Eyesa Horg]

RIP Red Eye Kid

Prayers up for friends and family 🙏.

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

Badlands Ben, SASS #27474 passed away on 8/24/25 at age 40.   Though inactive with CAS for some years, he was National and/or World Gunfighter Champion in the early 2000's, while his brother Shalako Joe was an overall champ.

 

This picture of the Hamptons is from 2002 at Tin Star Ranch.  L-R: Badlands Ben, More Ammo, Tally Book (RIP), and Shalako Joe.

 

Edited August 27, 2025 by Abilene, SASS # 27489

[Eyesa Horg]

Our condolences to family and friends 🙏 

[Mogollon Munk,SASS#303]

Sad to hear. I recall his family from EOT and Winter Range. Fine folks. RIP.

[Snakebite]

So sad. A fine young man.  Much too young. 

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

Sargent Shuster, longtime announcer at EOT passed.  He served the Lord in ministry to the Mescalero Apache.  His Kona coffee was delicious.  See Singing Sue's Facebook page for more information.

[Snakebite]

I just heard that Jim Bowie has passed.

Edited December 5, 2025 by Snakebite

[Cypress Sun]

Cypress Sam

 

SASS# 10915

 

1937 - 2026

 

Gunfighter Extraordinaire and Damn Good Guy.

 

 

Edited January 15 by Cypress Sun

[Eyesa Horg]

🙏RIP Cypress Sam 🙏

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

I was sad to read in Trail Markers on page 49 of the January 2026 issue of the Cowboy Chronicle the Miss Ruby Redsmoke passed in early October 2025.  @TUSCON THE TERRIBLE SASS#47089did a great writeup about her that you should read JanChronGo2026.pdf

A few excerpts:

* At the beginning of October 2025, we lost a Cowboy Action Shooting™ legend here in New Zealand. Tracey Ball (Miss Ruby Redsmoke, SASS #48421) was known in Cowboy Action circles around the world as “Ruby Redsmoke,” “Miss Ruby,” or just “Ruby.” 

* Ruby Redsmoke always dressed “to the nines” in B-Western attire. She made most if not all her costumes. Red and black were her signature colors, with many rubies and plenty of bling, matched by her shiny engraved guns and her shotgun, which belched red smoke.

 * At EOT 2016 Ruby Redsmoke was awarded “SASS Regulator” for her efforts “above and beyond.” Well-deserved and very fitting!

* Her list of wins in New Zealand was also impressive. Eight Top Lady Champion for the South Island Champs High Noon (NZ SASS Regional). Ruby was Top Lady Champion a total of sixteen times.

* Ruby’s contribution to Cowboy Action Shooting here in New Zealand was huge. The sport wouldn’t be at this level without her enthusiastic input, guidance, style, costumes, and organizational skills. Her last shoot was the NZ SASS Regional in Hokitika in 2020.

* At Land Run recently, Ruby was awarded “Legendary LOCAS” posthumously. A recognition of her work, her efforts in the sport of Cowboy Action Shooting, and the friends that she net worked with in different countries.

* Miss Ruby succumbed to the effects of MSA, a type of Parkinsons. She will be sadly missed by family and also her Cowboy family on both sides of the Pacific. Loved by many, Missed by all.  Rest in Peace Ruby.

 

I had the pleasure of meeting and shooting with Ruby at EOT in June of 2009 at Founders Ranch in Mew Mexico.  Here are photos of her while there.

 

 

 

 

Edited January 15 by Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L

[Eyesa Horg]

RIP Ruby Redsmoke

[Sedalia Dave]

RIP Big Ol Brad.

 

 

Apparently he was an international fugitive.

 

From the Outlaw Camp fb page.

 

Brad was stopped in Honduras for a traffic violation. The cops took his drivers license to ensure he would show up in court.

But they didn’t take his Passport.

Big ol Brad flew home the next day.

He’s still a fugitive in Honduras. LOL

[J-BAR #18287]

Belatedly adding Gary Warden, alias Warden Callaway, to this list, as he passed on February 24, 2026.

 

Link to his obituary:

 

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/gary-warden-obituary?id=60886614
 

 

 

RIP Bibbyoldman.

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

Gee, sorry to hear about Warden, he posted a lot of interesting stuff.

[Will Kane]

On 4/19/2026 at 6:27 PM, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said:

Gee, sorry to hear about Warden, he posted a lot of interesting stuff.

Me, too. I agree.

[Rattlesnake Slim]

The Celebration of Life for Justice B Dunn, Arizona Territorial Rough Rider #22 has been scheduled as follows:

 

May 2, 2026 at 12:30pm

Crossings Church

16107 W Glendale Ave

Litchfield Park, AZ 85340

 

If you are able to make it, please contact Shawn at 623-341-6697. 

The family will be providing food and want to make sure they have enough for everyone. 

 

Edited April 27 by Rattlesnake Slim