Boyd D. Metz, Jr., legendary shooting sports professional, died recently after a brief illness. He was 83. Boyd was born on a farm in Pennsylvania where he also attended Penn State University before his first career as a police officer. He entered the shooting sports industry after being recruited by Jerry Warsky to join Jerry's Sports Center. After Jerry's purchase of Simmons Sporting Goods, Boyd relocated to Kansas to head Simmons' wholesale operation. His career at Simmons was marked by successful expansion of the business with Wal-Mart, Cabela's and local independent dealers.

After his time at Simmons, Boyd went out on his own as an independent manufacturer's representative and represented numerous prominent brands including Sig Sauer, Winchester Ammunition, Hunting Shack Munitions and Dynamit Nobel for over 40 years. He was also active in brokering and advising international brands selling into the US market.

An avid competitive shooter and hunter, Boyd was the national smallbore rifle champion in 1989. He competed regularly and twice participated in the Olympic trials. He enjoyed deer hunting and quail hunting, especially with his beloved German Shorthairs. A fixture in the industry for nearly 50 years, he attended every SHOT Show and several IWA Shows in Germany. Boyd will be dearly missed by everyone that he impacted through his kind leadership, sage advice and years of friendship.

He is survived by his wife, Kathey, of Spring Hill, Kansas.