Editorial Report
[dropcap]G[/dropcap]eorge Hommell Jr., a legend in the Florida Keys, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday morning, August 31, at the age of 88 in his Islamorada home. He’s remembered by his family and too many famous people to count. For example, he was George H. W. Bush’s personal guide and conservation adviser, salvaged Jack Nicklaus’ business failures, restored famous Keys’ Checca Lodge to financial health, and was fishing guide to Anatoly Dobrinyin, Malcom Frazer, Ted Williams and Lefty Kreh – to name a few.
Hommell served America in two wars, WWII and the Korean War.
George started the first great tackle business in the Keys and called it World Wide Sportsman (WWS), a place that launched the career of a Hungarian immigrant name Tibor “Ted” Juracsik who met Billy Pate there and teamed up with him.
Later, Hommell included a very successful sportman’s travel business, all which he sold to Johnny Morris’ Bass Pro Shops in 1995. The Islamorada iconic store retains the original name.
George helped editor Andrew Derr and I with our first successful tome, Fly Fishing the Florida Keys by introducing us to the inside players in the Florida Keys.
George is not replaceable.
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