HOOD
15-06-05, 08:39 AM
Well our archery club has suffered a great loss.
We said farewell to one of our great club members and friend to all.
Andrew as he was known passed away after a long fight against Parkinson's.
For me and many others he was an inspiration to us all. He and the Range Captain were friends from way back when Andrew was his apprentice plumber and reamained friends till this day.
Andrew after not having contact with Max due to work commitments rang him one day to ask if he was still doing the archery thing. So began his love of the sport.
But as Parkinson's took over his body he was forced to stop working but still was a busy member of our club.
For me I was astounded at his ABILITY to still shoot even though he had trouble walking and holding a cup or can of drink with out spilling it.
He was always helping out where he could teaching new comers and the old school as well, welcoming new members and helping them set up their equipment (as he did for me).
He also designed our new target butts which were aptly named "The Kit-Bag" which was his nick name as an apprentice.
His shooting style was one of perfection he more then had the ABILITY to out shoot many. Although he shook like a leave bobbing and bouncing his way around the course (dropping his water bottle, then an arrow then a couple more, it was never to much for anyone to pick them up for him) it may have taken him 2 or 3 or even 5-6 attempts to get his arrow on the string but he got it there and then to have it fall of the rest a couple more times never seemed to bother him. Still shaking he'd bring his bow (barebow compound) up and pick the spot (still shaking) bringing his arm to extension and then it happened he showed the ABILITY to become a statue bringing his bow to full draw with out even a flintch, aimed then released the arrow on it's way to the spot he picked. No sooner had the arrow left his bow reality would hit home and he would start shacking like a leaf yet again. And so he'd go on to the next target to repeat his statue like shooting sequence and then turn back into that leaf again. Many a time some one had to sit with him under a tree and help give him his medication (his body would freeze up on him) and wait for it to take effect so he could continue to stagger his way around the course. But never once did I ever hear him complain about it or look for sympathy.
To me He is a true ledgend of the sport, he showed me that no matter what your dis-ABILITY you had the ABILITY to do what ever you wanted to do.
Andrew had the ABILITY to make you laugh and make people feel at ease around him. He was never rude or nasty.
He had been hunting many a time before Parkinson's took over his body, he even found someone crazy enough to take him hunting goats after it took over. He scored a good billy, but man I don't think I'd be standing to close with him waving his arrow around trying to get it on the string with a razor sharp broadhead in it.
For me I'll never forget the lessons he taught me and what he showed me about having the ABILITY to do things even when all seems lost.
He never gave up trying and nor should we no matter how hard it seems, you do have the ABILITY to do it.
RIP
Neil Andrew Jeffers
1958 - 2005
We said farewell to one of our great club members and friend to all.
Andrew as he was known passed away after a long fight against Parkinson's.
For me and many others he was an inspiration to us all. He and the Range Captain were friends from way back when Andrew was his apprentice plumber and reamained friends till this day.
Andrew after not having contact with Max due to work commitments rang him one day to ask if he was still doing the archery thing. So began his love of the sport.
But as Parkinson's took over his body he was forced to stop working but still was a busy member of our club.
For me I was astounded at his ABILITY to still shoot even though he had trouble walking and holding a cup or can of drink with out spilling it.
He was always helping out where he could teaching new comers and the old school as well, welcoming new members and helping them set up their equipment (as he did for me).
He also designed our new target butts which were aptly named "The Kit-Bag" which was his nick name as an apprentice.
His shooting style was one of perfection he more then had the ABILITY to out shoot many. Although he shook like a leave bobbing and bouncing his way around the course (dropping his water bottle, then an arrow then a couple more, it was never to much for anyone to pick them up for him) it may have taken him 2 or 3 or even 5-6 attempts to get his arrow on the string but he got it there and then to have it fall of the rest a couple more times never seemed to bother him. Still shaking he'd bring his bow (barebow compound) up and pick the spot (still shaking) bringing his arm to extension and then it happened he showed the ABILITY to become a statue bringing his bow to full draw with out even a flintch, aimed then released the arrow on it's way to the spot he picked. No sooner had the arrow left his bow reality would hit home and he would start shacking like a leaf yet again. And so he'd go on to the next target to repeat his statue like shooting sequence and then turn back into that leaf again. Many a time some one had to sit with him under a tree and help give him his medication (his body would freeze up on him) and wait for it to take effect so he could continue to stagger his way around the course. But never once did I ever hear him complain about it or look for sympathy.
To me He is a true ledgend of the sport, he showed me that no matter what your dis-ABILITY you had the ABILITY to do what ever you wanted to do.
Andrew had the ABILITY to make you laugh and make people feel at ease around him. He was never rude or nasty.
He had been hunting many a time before Parkinson's took over his body, he even found someone crazy enough to take him hunting goats after it took over. He scored a good billy, but man I don't think I'd be standing to close with him waving his arrow around trying to get it on the string with a razor sharp broadhead in it.
For me I'll never forget the lessons he taught me and what he showed me about having the ABILITY to do things even when all seems lost.
He never gave up trying and nor should we no matter how hard it seems, you do have the ABILITY to do it.
RIP
Neil Andrew Jeffers
1958 - 2005