Smitty the Jumper

[tonybrogdon 0]

I would like to pay tribute to one of the true pioneers of our sport, Smitty the Jumper. Smitty was from Witchita, Kanas. He made his first jump in 1922 at the age of 36 with a parachute he made himself out of silk and had a horse harness maker make his harness. Smitty made about a dozen jumps with his orginal rig before he saw another parachute of any kind. I had the previdge of meeting Smitty at Hutchinson, Kansas when I made my first jump in September of 1977. I brought Smitty to Perris Valley Skydiving Center December 15th, 1985 where he made a tandem jump joined by the Mirror Image World Champion 8 way team sponsored by Coors beer. He brought along his orginal rig to show all those that were interested. He died a year after his last jump at the Oskosh Air Show at the age of 93. Smitty was a truly remarkable person and pioneer skydiver.

Tony Brogdon
D-12855

[Tonto 1]

I heard a bunch about him when jumping in El Dorado, Kansas in the early 90's. Do you know what year he died?

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[DYEVOUT 0]

If he was 36 in 1922, and died at 93 - I'm gonna say 1979.

----------------=8^)----------------------
"I think that was the wrong tennis court."

[Tonto 1]

"Perris Valley Skydiving Center December 15th, 1985 where he made a tandem jump joined by the Mirror Image World Champion 8 way team "

Wow. And he died in 1979. That's hard core. No wonder he's a legend.

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[DYEVOUT 0]

Yep, I would definitely say there are some inaccurate dates in that post.

----------------=8^)----------------------
"I think that was the wrong tennis court."

[tonybrogdon 0]

Smitty was 87 when I brought to Perris 1985. He died at age 93 in the year 1991 in his trailer in Witchita he called his "wall of fame" in his sleep. He was a wonderful person. Hope this helps.

Tony Brogdon
D-12855

[DYEVOUT 0]

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He made his first jump in 1922 at the age of 36. . . . .

That makes him 24 years old in 1922. Just a little confusing, that's all.

----------------=8^)----------------------
"I think that was the wrong tennis court."

[airtwardo 7]

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Smitty was 87 when I brought to Perris 1985. He died at age 93 in the year 1991 in his trailer in Witchita he called his "wall of fame" in his sleep. He was a wonderful person. Hope this helps.

Hi there Tony!

Smitty was a corner stone at the EAA Oshkosh convention for many years...

As a performer there, we take a ' Clap-Lap ' down the showline in a convertible following our performance.

We always loaded "Smitty" up in the car and took him down the line with us...
He would keep us all in stitches with his stories and comments...

We would be rolling down the crowd line of 100,000 or so people...
and Smitty would point off into the crowd and yell...

" HI MOM! "

Everyone in the area would be looking around to see who this old guy was pointing AT!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[nutinbutdust 0]

Smitty used to come up to Albert Lea in the late 80's to Grampas jumpfest. I think he used to ride with Jeff Bodinger(from El Dorado). He also used to always be hanging out at the nationals in Muskogee. He was a very funny man with loads of wonderful stories about the things he had done. I always enjoyed spending time with him. If I remember correctly Jeff took him on a tandem at Jumpfest one year.

Al

[Tonto 1]

You're correct... Jeff Boddiger ran Skydive El Dorado. I learned about Smitty from him, but never got to meet him as I was only there in 1992. Sounds like an inspiration to us all. Hope I'm still skydiving at that age!

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[lfhower 0]

I met Smitty at Woody Underwood's DZ at Maize Ks (near Wichita) in I think 69. He made his last solo jump (I think) the weekend I was there. He had his old rig with him for all to peruse. What a deal that was. All the lines were tied to an old Ford steering wheel. He was an amazing guy. A true pioneer, and could still party hard at the end of the day. I sure was glad to meet him.

Always remember, when you get where you're going, there you are!

[tonybrogdon 0]

Hi Jim;

Thanks for your reply. I just thought it wouldn't be right to talk about the history of our sport without honoring our mutual friend, Smitty.

Blue skies!

Tony Brogdon
D-12855

[airtwardo 7]

Knew I had some PICS of Smitty !

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[tonybrogdon 0]

Thanks Jim for the PICS of Smitty.

Blue Skies!

Tony Brogdon
D-12855

[RonD1120 61]

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Knew I had some PICS of Smitty !

I have one of Smitty's business cards.

[airtwardo 7]

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Knew I had some PICS of Smitty !

I have one of Smitty's business cards.

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Hey!
Long time brother!!
How have you been?

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[RonD1120 61]

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Hey!
Long time brother!!
How have you been?

[tonybrogdon 0]

Jim, found these pictures of Smitty, hope they are readable. They are black and white. One has Smittys own words on it. His son Jerry, whom i became good friends with once told me that he grew up with his mother telling him that his dad was crazy.

Hope you enjoy the PICS

Tony

Tony Brogdon
D-12855

[airtwardo 7]

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How was Oshkosh this year?

***Fun!
Got weathered a couple of times, but a great time!
This was our 20th year opening there!

I did a few candycanes on your old canopy!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[RonD1120 61]

I did a few candycanes on your old canopy!

[airtwardo 7]

Found another one...

from the real early 80's

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[RonD1120 61]

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Found another one...

from the real early 80's

WOW JT with brown hair. I almost didn't recognize him.

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[airtwardo 7]

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Found another one...

from the real early 80's

WOW JT with brown hair. I almost didn't recognize him.

***
I said it was an OLD picture!!!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[indigoSkye 0]

Smitty was living and well at Oshkosh, 1986.

Perfect speed is being there at the goat roast.

[tbrown 26]

I brought Smitty to Perris Valley Skydiving Center December 15th, 1985 where he made a tandem jump joined by the Mirror Image World Champion 8 way team sponsored by Coors beer.