Folks

To let you know that I've just had an email telling me that JKH sadly passed away in Cornwall UK (with his family at his side) a day or two ago just after having a hip replacement operation during which he suffered kidney failure and other complications.

John was one of the key players in the great days of the industry and we all owe him a great deal. Africa and African hunting wouldn't be a shadow of what it now is if it were not for John's contribution to our sport.

RIP John.

I am sorry to hear this. My mother was in the ICU recovering from an emergency surgery a few weeks ago here in Oklahoma. My wife and I had taken her to the ER and as we were not prepared for this we were dressed for yard work and my attire included a cap that had Africa on it. One of the nurses kept staring at my cap and finally asked if I had been to Africa. I told her I had and she asked what I had hunted. I started telling her and when I got to elephant she asked if I knew John Kingsley Heath. I told her no but that I had his book and had read about him quite a bit. She went on to explain that her dad had hunted with him several times over the years and her dad was mentioned in his book. Her dad was New Mexico rancher Ace Christmas who had roped a cape buffalo with John (that had to have been exciting). She had never been to Africa herself but had talked with John after her fathers passing. She said that she and her siblings had split up her fathers trophies and she ended up with a 96 pound elephant, a sable, and a mountain nyala. She told me her father said the JKH was the best PH he had ever hunted with.

JKH was "The Real Deal" I am sad he has passed, but our industry is the richer for his life and contributions to our sport. His book on dangerous game is one of my favorites. Another great one gone.

May he rest well in God's embrace.

Another great one gone. Rest well you have earned it,

I sat next to him on a plane leaving the convention years ago. I was very excited to sit next to a legend. He was very pleasant. We had a great discussion of hunting. I will always remember that.

I knew him when he served as an international director for SCI, and was fortunate to have spent a couple of days riding with him to visit several members in the Washington, D.C., area before one of the club's board meetings years ago.

A nicer fellow would be hard to find. RIP, John.


Bill Quimby

I'm reading his book right now and I am glad his great stories of 100lbs per side ivory are preserved forever. My grandfather hunted with JK-H way back when. He was the real deal and will be missed.

Always sad to lose one of the old school PH's.

They are the yardsticks by which all others are measured.

Saddened to hear this news. RIP mate.

I just remember all the articles over the years where he figured quite prominently. Sad to lose real folks that were actually there and lived the life.

I have his book too. Its well worth the cost. He is one of the few that could pull off a beret! RIP John--hope the ivory is long and heavy where you are!!!!

Wow. I had to pull my copy of Jack O'Connor's Big Game Hunts to take a look once again at a picture of Jack and JKH posing with a lion. O'Connor was old then, but John looked young as hell.

For some reason this makes me think of a photo that hangs in our laundry room. It is a big print of the famous Doisneau photo of a guy kissing a woman near the hotel de Ville in Paris. It is right after WWII. I put a post it note on that photo a few years ago and wrote, "They were young a long time ago, and now they are dead."

Good thing to keep in mind when it comes to making your hunting plans.

I am greatly saddened by the news of the passing of John Kinsley Heath. John was no doubt one of East Africa's greatest Professional Hunters.

We are fortunate that John did record his great stories in his book "Hunting The Dangerous Game of Africa". Its an absolute classic, and a must read for all who love hunting in Africa.

I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family. Rest in Peace J.K.H.

great hunter-warrior ,i admire him a lot ,RIP .

Shakari

Thanks for the sad up date. I spent a couple of days with John and Sue in Cornwell "filling in a few holes" about my Dads earlier life as he did his appyship under John.

John was a charming gentleman and his passing is a great loss to the hunting industry as a whole. He was certainly one of the greats from yester-year and will be sorely missed by all that knew him. Buzz

May he rest in peace. I still remember reading the story where a wounded lion knocked him down and was on top of him. He pulled up his legs so the lion could not open him up with claws and then he stuck his fist down the lions throat so the teeth could not put a killing bite to him. His tracker finally killed the lion if I remember it correctly.

Regards,

Mike

A tragic loss.