I think I was about 8 years old when I was watching Franc White, the Southern Sportsman TV Show early on Sunday mornings. My dad and I always watched the show and enjoyed Franc's humor, commentary, cooking and fishing tips. Many years later, many- we aired Jim Baugh Outdoors in many markets along side of the Southern Sportsman. In Richmond VA we aired as a block also along with Virginia Wildlife TV Magazine.Franc made quite an impression on me, and of course his many fans. Do you remember these quotes?
"Swinus Americanus"
and "Do your self a favor, take a kid fishing"
Classic!

We have been producing Jim Baugh Outdoors TV for 20 years now, and each year I get e mails and calls asking me if I knew what ever happened to Franc White. I had searched the web many times, checked fishing boards, nothing, not a trace. Several people told me he had passed away.
Well, yesterday, I came across a two year old article by Brad Shrader at WRAL TV in Raleigh. I called Brad on the phone and ask him if it was true, and Brad said,
"Yes!!! Franc is alive and kicking at this home in NC"
Turns out Franc did retire and spend time in New Zealand, and then moved back to his home in NC.
Frank does not fly anymore due to health reasons, Franc is in his mid 80's now and still does write for some magazines, according to Brad, Franc also got remarried not to long ago. Congratulations!
Franc flew a zebra stripped airplane, fished and hunted, cooked, and had the most remarkable commentary you would ever hear.
Frank also had several Southern Sportsmans Restaurants, one was in my home town of Richmond Va. That was many years ago now.
I taped Franc's last show on VHS 13 years ago, unfortunately the entire body of work, all of his shows, were destroyed in a airplane hanger. Very sad.
I had met Franc several times over the years. You got to hand it to him, a TV producer and host, fantastic cook, sportsman, air plane pilot, writer, restaurateur, environmentalist, and one of the most entertaining commentators I have ever heard.
Hats off to you Franc, glad to hear your still with us!
For more info, check out the site that his daughters set up for him at http://www.francwhite.com/
Tight Lines,
Jim Baugh
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