dpreguy 14 #1 December 22, 2011 Does anyone remember a guy named "Smitty the Jumper?" Midwest, as I recall. Bragged he never had paid for a jump. Quite a character. I saw him a couple of times, but never saw him actually jump. I think one time he said he had fifty jumps or so. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #2 December 22, 2011 QuoteDoes anyone remember a guy named "Smitty the Jumper?" Midwest, as I recall. Bragged he never had paid for a jump. Quite a character. I saw him a couple of times, but never saw him actually jump. I think one time he said he had fifty jumps or so. Is this the one who claimed to be the oldest one? There's a picture on the wall at West Tennessee Skydiving of Smitty posing with a very young (I think age 9) Charlie Mullins as the oldest with the youngest..."Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Erroll 49 #3 December 22, 2011 QuoteDoes anyone remember a guy named "Smitty the Jumper?" Midwest, as I recall. Bragged he never had paid for a jump. Quite a character. I saw him a couple of times, but never saw him actually jump. I think one time he said he had fifty jumps or so. Smitty the jumper Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #4 December 23, 2011 Does anyone remember a guy named "Smitty the Jumper?" yup...http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=12264; ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buff 0 #5 December 23, 2011 I was at Savute's here in ICT for Skip Gallagher's send off and Smitty is well known there. The lady that runs the place is at least in her 70s nd said that Smitty was quite the character and ladies man. I asked her if she ever visited Smitty's station wagon and she laughed and said she was a proper girl back then.It's called the Hillbilly Hop N Pop dude. If you're gonna be stupid, you better be tough. That's fucked up. Watermelons do not grow on trees! ~Skymama Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krip 2 #6 December 23, 2011 QuoteDoes anyone remember a guy named "Smitty the Jumper?" yup...http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=12264; Hi T what year was that pic taken? Was smitty the guy that lived out of a van at Z-hills or some other DZ in Fl selling jewelery to raise money for The USA Team? My boss is still pissed I wouldn't buy her a pair silver earings from the guy that were in the shape of round parachutes. Probably late 80's early 90's. R.One Jump Wonder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #7 December 23, 2011 Quote Quote Does anyone remember a guy named "Smitty the Jumper?" yup...http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=12264; Hi T what year was that pic taken? Was smitty the guy that lived out of a van at Z-hills or some other DZ in Fl selling jewelery to raise money for The USA Team? My boss is still pissed I wouldn't buy her a pair silver earings from the guy that were in the shape of round parachutes. Probably late 80's early 90's. R. Judging by the jumpsuit, hat and my bloodshot eyes...id say sometime in the mid 80s ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,048 #8 December 23, 2011 Hi Krip, QuoteWas smitty the guy that lived out of a van You may have him confused with Chet Poland. JerryBaumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krip 2 #9 December 23, 2011 Hi Jerry Confused? who meI;ve got a business card somewhere I'll have to take a look. After my nap and if remember. The pic of smitty and MR T was a hoot. I could tell who was taller but I'm not sure who was olderR. One Jump Wonder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dpreguy 14 #10 December 25, 2011 The picture covers it. I absolutely rememer him in some kind of van or pickup camper, and yes this looks like what I remember him to look like. (OK I don't use proper grammar) I remember us guys talking to him and he was indeed a "cocky and prideful chap" who spun his self-created legend with style. Thanks for the photo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krip 2 #11 December 25, 2011 antone else remember seeing smitty on the on the Johnny Carson show ? Or does any one ever remember the Johnni Carson showWhat other jumper did Johnny C have on his show. Sorry Mr T you don't count, you weren't that famouse at that time,R. R. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krip 2 #12 December 25, 2011 Quote Hi Krip, Quote Was smitty the guy that lived out of a van You may have him confused with Chet Poland. JerryBaumchen Hi Jerry I woke up from my nap and even remembered to look for my "Smitty the Jumper" business card and actualy found it.I've reviewed the his thread "all the way" back to the first post and checked the business card and would like to fill in some blanks. Smitty's birth name was H. Truesdell Smith. In addition to Smitty being on the Jonny Carson show at the age of 81, He was also on with Norman Vincent Peal, And Paul Harvey. During the Freefall with the Coors world champ team they made a hook-up with him on December 15, 1985 in a 8K freefall , That earned earned world wide recognition and good write-up in Sports Illustrated. The card I have is 4 sided and the dead pan expression on Johnny's face is pure Johnny with Smitty wearing a SEG on his face. I don't remember where or when I got the card, But it was pre 1988. In reviewing this thread from the first post ti present I came across a post where someone was trying to raise some funds for Smitty's headstone. Anyone know if "Smitty The Jumper" got his headstone? R Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #13 December 28, 2011 IIRC Robin Heid wrote something about the headstone and it's donations etc...he would know the status currently. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonybrogdon 0 #14 December 30, 2011 Smitty was a true Pioneer of the sport and an all around good person. I am honored to have been his friend.Tony Brogdon D-12855 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tink1717 2 #15 December 31, 2011 Lurked a tandem or two at the WFFC in 88. He was reported to be in his 90's hen. Hell of a guy.Skydivers don't knock on Death's door. They ring the bell and runaway... It really pisses him off. -The World Famous Tink. (I never heard of you either!!) AA #2069 ASA#33 POPS#8808 Swooo 1717 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
winsor 186 #16 December 31, 2011 Quote antone else remember seeing smitty on the on the Johnny Carson show ? Or does any one ever remember the Johnni Carson showWhat other jumper did Johnny C have on his show. Sorry Mr T you don't count, you weren't that famouse at that time,R. R. I do not know about Smitty being on Carson's show, but Johnny Carson jumped with Bob Sinclair. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krip 2 #17 December 31, 2011 We have a winnerBob sinclair was on the JC show. If I remember correctly Mr sinclair took johnny on a AFF type jump. My Mom let me stay up late to watch it. Don't remember the yearR. One Jump Wonder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,048 #18 December 31, 2011 Hi Krip, QuoteDon't remember the year My memory told me 1968; and Google is our friend: http://www.parapublishing.com/files/articles/Article%20AB-312%20Introverts%20Promote%20from%20Home.pdf JerryBaumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CliffDavis 0 #19 January 25, 2012 Smitty was living in Kansas in 1966 and I was with the Jester Skydivers out of Bartlesville OK and we did a demo jump at an airshow in Coffeville, Kansas with the Air force Thunderbirds in June of 1966. Smitty came up to us after we jumped and started telling us he used to be a barstorming parachute jumper. He said he hadn't even been around jumping since the 30s. We weren't sure about him and took him with a grain of salt. He went home I think and got his old parachute that he used to jump in the 20s and 30s. It had the suspension lines tied to an old Ford steering wheel with a leather harness that he had made. We then treated him like a hero that he was. He later became very involved with the jumping community and became famous again and wrote a book. I like to think we brought him out of obscurity.D-1594- USPA Instructor Examiner-PCA LIFE MEMBER #377-National Judge -Gold wings# 1223- Okla Pope #5-Master Rigger Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krip 2 #20 January 26, 2012 Quote Hi Krip, Quote Don't remember the year My memory told me 1968; and Google is our friend: http://www.parapublishing.com/files/articles/Article%20AB-312%20Introverts%20Promote%20from%20Home.pdf JerryBaumchen Thanks Jerry Damn 1968 My uncle took me out of the country for a while that year . I wonder where I got the business card with a pic smitty talking to JC on the backTime to go take a nap.One Jump Wonder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pterodactylLXX 0 #21 February 3, 2012 He was jumping an old delta two parawing back in the mid nineties over at Vandalia Illinois for a POPS meet with Dave Verner's bunch. I saw him make about ten jumps including a hit and rock with his canopy hooked up bassakwards! Kind of a nut sort of guy! Had the audacity to open high under me and I'm six five weighing two twenty at the time! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #22 February 4, 2012 Quote He was jumping an old delta two parawing back in the mid nineties over at Vandalia Illinois for a POPS meet with Dave Verner's bunch. I saw him make about ten jumps including a hit and rock with his canopy hooked up bassakwards! Kind of a nut sort of guy! Had the audacity to open high under me and I'm six five weighing two twenty at the time! I don't think it was the same 'Smitty'... The Smitty of this thread wasn't getting around real well in the 90's, I would be shocked to hear he was actually jumping...especially a delta death...on backwards! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonybrogdon 0 #23 July 4, 2012 Thanks for sharing. He was true friend and a true pioneer to SkydivingTony Brogdon D-12855 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites