Virgil Was A Great Person
Ken, thanks for contacting me with questions regarding Virgil Ward, and leading me to this website. I want everyone to know that Virgil was as nice in person as he was on TV. I have many stories about him, as I filmed shows, and was his advance man when he visited the Quad City area.
Producing the documentary about his life was a high point in my media career. We had a huge amount of footage, but unfortunately only a 1/2 hour could be shown. There were photos that people hadn't seen, such as Virgil as a baby, and his parents.
Virgil was what I called my second father, or "industrial father". He would call about every two weeks just to chat, or ask questions about computers, editing, fishing, or whatever. I miss these communications as much as I miss my own father who left this earth in March. I'm sure he and Virgil, who he knew, are not fishing in God's lakes for some big bass.
As for Virgil cheating in a tournament, that I've never heard, nor has any of the folks that I've spoken to when we put this show together or since then. Everyone interviewed, some of which included Forrest Wood, Johnny Morris, Mel Tillis, Lloyd Presley, and Jim Rodgers, had nothing but good to say about the man.
One of you asked about Greg. He didn't like hosting the show, and made that very clear in the documentary during his interview. At one point when his grandfather died, he was in Alaska as a hunting and fishing guide. I've heard that he moved back to Missouri, but have heard nothing since.
In regards to the documentary, I was glad that Virgil lived long enough to see the show win the top AGLOW Award for that year.
My co-producer/videographer, Brad Mosier and I had the idea to produce this documentary for several years, and I'm glad that Wes Campbell of TTI, Johnny Morris of Bass Pro Shops, and Sam Johnson of Johnson Wax, believed in the project enough to help make it happen.
It has been mentioned about not having a tackle box. Virgil would stuff his rod lockers with lures, but be sure to have enough room for plenty of food - all the fixings for a lot of sandwiches, with some potato chips and Pepsi.:)
Thanks again Ken, I'm sure you had a great time with Virgil - a time you will never forget.
As I always say at the end of my columns, radio and TV shows - Until next time, get out on the water, and enjoy a great day of fishing.
The ol' gent packed it in in 2004
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bruce Carp
But if you have see him in a while he has probably gone fishin! Great show
Too bad. But at 93, I reckon he caught his share. Now he's across the Jordan.
aj