J.D.T. Memorial Catfish Tournament coming up soon

By Stephen Jones
sjones@casscountynow.com

On Jan. 5, 2010 tragedy struck the Turner family and the Linden community when Jacob ‘Dude’ Turner was fatally injured in an auto accident on Hwy. 8 between Douglassville and Maud.
To honor Turner’s memory and to give back to the community he called home, the family created the Jacob Dude Turner Foundation. Through the foundation, the family has been able to support the community and keep Jacob’s memory alive.
Since its inception in 2010, the foundation has awarded close to $50,000 in scholarships, teacher grants and other grants to local charities and organizations including the D.A.R.E. Program, Cass County Coon Hunters for cystic fibrosis, FFA of Linden-Kildare High School, the Big Bird Crawfish Boil for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the Cass County Rodeo Association.
“I like to see the kids get scholarships,” father J.G. said. “It keeps his (Jacob) legacy alive. It means a lot to the family. He (Jacob) had a big heart for others and he never met a stranger. He had friends from around the world.”

Fishing Tournament
One of Jacob’s favorite activities was catfishing at Rocky Point on Wright Patman Lake. The family has turned one of Jacob’s passions into one of their main fundraisers of the year: The Jacob ‘Dude’ Turner Memorial Catfish Tournament & Benefit Weekend.
The 7th annual event will be held Sept. 22 through 24 at the Rocky Point Pavilion. 
The tournament begins Sept. 21 at 5 p.m. with setup for the Trotline-Jug Line Division. In this division, a total of 25 fish will be weighed per team. Fish must we weighed in by Sept. 24 at 10 a.m.
Fishing in the rod and reel division will be Sept. 24 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
A total of 50 fish per team will be weighed. 
Participants must be in the weigh-in line by 3 p.m. at the Rocky Point Campground. Entry fee is $50 per team which includes both divisions. 
Teams can consist of up to two anglers. A third person, under age 16 or older than 65, will be allowed per team. 
Other weekend plans include a Hamburger Supper Friday with live music on Sept. 23, starting at 5 p.m.; a 10 a.m. popcorn and bingo event on Sept. 24 with a fish fry sponsored by Catfish King of Atlanta and the Wildflower Inn of Hughes Springs planned later the day at 5 p.m., which will be followed by an auction.
A raffle will also be held. Among the items are a Bayou Classic Fish Fryer donated by Trico Lumber. Tickets for the raffle are $3 each or two for $5. A special raffle will also be held for an AR10 DPMS 308-7.62 NATO. This firearm is currently on display at the Queen City Pawn Shop. Tickets for this raffle are $5 each or five for $20.
For more info. contact J.G. Turner at 903-824-835 or Jody Turner at 903-824-0788 or go online to their Facebook page at facebook.com/jacobdudeturnerfoundation.