Like most of us, I was in shock at the news of Steve's passing and have been unable to find the words. I do not want to pretend that I knew him really well, or that we were even close friends, and I certainly do not want to elevate him to sainthood as is so often done with those that have passed. I would like to say he was my friend and I will miss him, and there has been a dark cloud hanging over since I heard the news. We had many phone conversations and I always enjoyed the opportunity to visit with him at matches. Steve was always very supportive and interested in what I had going on. Helpful advice was always readily given, and I couldn't help but feel he tried to protect me. He was incredibly enthusiastic and I learned a lot from him about how to put on a match. I bought quite a few supplies from him over the last several years, and was always amazed how he shipped stuff with an invoice, and then you sent him a check. He would go out of his way to help new shooters try to figure out how to make these darned BPCR rifles work, and if he refused help to anyone, ever, I never heard of it. I will always smile thinking about his loud voice and jokes around the campfire, his and Kidwell's bantering here on the forum, his feud with Brent, and his sincere worry that Kirk Bryan would find out he had filed on the breech block of my rifle at a match to get me going again. I had a broken firing pin and I couldn't get the darned sliding piece back into the rifle. I took it to Steve between relays and he got out a file only after making me swear I wouldn't tell Kirk about what he was doing.
I guess I have taken this time to reflect on all of the really great people I have met and the friends I have made from shooting BPCR. When it boils right down to it, life is really about relationships, I thank the Lord for all the many friends I have and that I had the chance to know Steve. I don't believe funerals are for those that died, I think they are for those that live. I wish I could be at Steve's service to comfort and support his friends and family, but I cannot. For those that have not seen this
https://www.steverhoadesmemorial.com/
take care my friends,
Cody Smith
