Grounds’ generosity and enthusiasm to teach others was a common theme.

“I’m so sad,” said Dwight Hoffard of Johnston City, longtime organizer of the Southern Illinois Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Days. “Tim was a unique individual, but he had a heart as big as a basketball. He always was in the middle of everything. He loved his sport and was always anxious to pass it along to the young folks. Tim was a good guy in a lot of ways. I hope people realize that.

“He passed the Tim Grounds Goose Calling Championship to us. He began that in I think 1990, and he passed that on to National Hunting and Fishing Days. He was a big supporter of that.”

That first contest was small in scale, but eventually became recognized as one of the premier calling contests in the nation. The event drew callers from throughout the United States to National Hunting and Fishing Days.

After his calling career ended, Grounds remained a giant in the business by continuing to create new calls. He was also active in making hunting videos.