An encounter with an outdoors legend that I have never heard of before
Earlier this summer, I was approached to attend a fundraiser for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation in honor of Mr. Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. At the time of the conversation, all I focused on were the words “Texas Parks & Wildlife” and not the honoree. Mainly because I am passionate about former and really did not know who the latter was. I figured him to be some big donor who was getting his well earned recognition. A few weeks later, I received my formal invitation in the mail with a brief overview of the guest of honor for the event. His biography encompassed everything I wish I could be or become as an outdoorsman, businessman and citizen. His resume’ was right out of an Earnest Hemingway story with a little John Wayne and Texas “Oil Tycoon” all wrapped into one. As I researched him more on the internet, I knew that I was going to meet a man of his time and an outdoors legend that I had never even heard of.
Mr. Glassell was a native of Louisiana and went on to serve in WWII in North Africa and Europe. After the war, he became a successful businessman in Texas. He devoted his free time to marine biology research, outdoorsmanship, civic affairs, philanthropy and the arts. He donated his extensive collections of African gold art to the Houston Museum of Fine Art and established Houston’s Glassell School of Art. He has been recognized for many other civic and business contributions as well.
As an outdoorsman, Mr. Glassell had few equals. He was particularly fond of upland game and was a member of both Ducks and Quail Unlimited. He is known as a prominent rancher and a proficient quail hunter. However, it was his landing of a 1,560 pound marlin in 1953 which put his legend on the map. The fish still holds the record as the largest marlin ever taken on a handheld rod and reel and placed him in the IGFA hall of fame. The footage of the catch was used in Ernest Hemingway’s movie The Old Man and the Sea.
There are not many men left like Mr. Glassell. He is a true outdoorsman’s outdoorsman and a Texas gentleman. In many ways, he is also a symbol of his adopted state. It was a true pleasure to have met him.
