MERLE KEMMERLY, JR.

 LOUISIANA TRAPSHOOTING HALL OF FAME

1999 INDUCTEE

Merle Kemmerly, Jr., of Bossier City, Louisiana, is one of the most prominent Louisiana trapshooters of all time, a supporter of the sport in Louisiana, and an innovator in trapshooting equipment.

Merle was born in Crowley, Louisiana, on July 9, 1925.  He had a long and successful career in the night club business in the Shreveport-Bossier City area of Louisiana.  Since retirement from that field, Merle has operated a gunsmithing business from his home in Bossier City.

Merle began his trapshooting career in 1949.  He was a regular winner of major awards at state, zone, satellite Grand Americans, and major shoots in places such as Las Vegas during his active shooting career.

At the 1960 Grand American, Merle won the preliminary doubles event with the first 100 straight in doubles ever broken by an amateur shooter at the Grand American.  In 1973, he finished as runner-up in the Dayton Homecoming singles event at the Grand following a 200x200 and a shoot off that went over fourteen rounds followed by a carryover tie breaker.

Merle won eight Louisiana state titles over a twenty year span including three All-Around titles, two singles titles, two double championships and the handicap title.  He also captured the HOA title at the 1954 Louisiana State shoot.  In 1961, he captured the Texas open HOA title with a then record score of 728x750.

Merle was selected to the Trap & Field men’s second All-American team in 1963.  He surpassed this accomplishment by being named a first team All-American in both 1964 and 1965.

Perhaps Merle’s greatest accomplishment in trapshooting was winning the Trap & Field All-Around Average award in 1963.

Merle was eventually forced to discontinue serious competitive shooting due to vision difficulties.  However, he has never withdrawn from trapshooting or his interest in its welfare in Louisiana.

For many years, Merle has been a fixture at the Shreveport Gun Club where he is often seen testing some new trapshooting device or gun modification.  Merle has taken this aspect of his interest in the sport and turned it into a business.  Merle has for several years operated a gunsmithing business known as “Kemmerly’s Release Triggers.”  In addition to making release triggers for a wide variety of guns, Merle has also developed a fully adjustable stock for shotgun shooting.

Merle has also been a staunch supporter of trapshooting in Louisiana.  Merle has shown this support in many ways.  He has often taken new trap shooter “under his wing” and assisted and encouraged them and their efforts in the sport.

Merle has also been a long time and constant supporter of the Shreveport Gun Club, the largest trap club in Louisiana.  As the club has experienced ups and downs over the years, Merle has consistently supported it with his interest and financially.  Merle has been one of the driving forces in the recent effort to revitalize the Shreveport club and its registered shooting program.

It is in recognition of his brilliant shooting career and love and support of the sport that Merle Kemmerly, Jr., is inducted into the Louisiana Trapshooting Hall of Fame in its initial class of inductees.

April 27, 1999