Von Stanford Sloan

SLOAN, Von Stanford "Stan" Age 70, died July, 10, 2008 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Mr. Sloan is survived by his mother, Mary S. McCord; son, Jeff (Tammy) Sloan; daughters, Viki (Mitch) Mitchell, Bambi (Bryan) Sharp and Vonda (Carl) Goodman; grandchildren, Chelsi Morgan, Sydni Goodman, Sloan Mitchell, Jordan Sloan, Gabby Goodman and Taylor Sloan; two great-grandchildren, Brennan and Kenzi. Preceded in death by grandparents, Warren and Emma Sloan, and grandson, Chase Carter. Mr. Sloan attended MBA, graduated from Bellevue High School and later attended UT Knoxville. He began his career as a Metro Police Officer and later became Chief Deputy of the Metro Sheriffs Department. In 1967, after winning the first Bass Fishing Tournament ever held by promoter, Ray Scott, he retired from Metro to start his own business, Stan Sloan's Zorro Baits. Mr. Scott would later start B.A.S.S. and the two of them would remain lifelong friends. Mr. Sloan's innovative designs became legendary within the sport of bass fishing. It was Mr. Sloan who moved trolling motors to the front of boats instead of the traditional back use. He was involved in the design of the first manufactured bass boats. He designed the original black lights used for night fishing, as well as many other fishing lures and products, which became legendary both nationally and internationally for more than thirty years, among both Professional fishermen and everyday fishermen alike. In 1971, Mr. Sloan's design of "The Aggravator" enabled Bobby Murray to win the first Bass Master's Classic. Mr. Sloan qualified for the first five Bass Master's Classics, along with bass fishing legends, Tom Mann and Roland Martin. The last fishing tournament Mr. Sloan competed in was Ray Scott's, Eagles of Angling Senior Tournament in 2001, with President George H.W. Bush in attendance. Mr. Sloan went on to win the tournament. In 2006, he was inducted into the Legends of the Outdoors National Hall of Fame. He continued to run his business until his very final days. Funeral services to be held at the funeral home at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 12, 2008 with visitation beginning at 10 a.m.. Visitation with the family will be Friday, July 11, 2008 from 1-9 p.m.. Eulogies to be given by Mr. Bob Cobb, Founder and original Editor of BASS Master Magazine, Mr. Jimmy Holt and Mr. Jack Wingate. Pallbearers: John Nolan III, Pete Kennedy, Jimmy Holt, Carl Goodman, Bryan Sharp and Mitch Mitchell. Honorary Pallbearers: Joe Sparkman, Jeremy Coldwell and Jackie Lee of Sparta, TN. In lieu of flowers, the family gracefully request donations to the Lazarus House Hospice, 260 West 5th St., Cookeville, TN 38503. MARSHALL DONNELLY COMBS, (615) 327-1111.