Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Todd Overton's Passing...

I'll always remember the first time I "officially" met Todd Overton. Mid 1990's, bumped into him at a big fish farm in Lonoke, Arkansas. I knew about him, the newest young guy in the pond stocking business. He'd bought a fish farm from an old head who'd thought he could retire and strike it rich raising fish. I asked, "Are you Todd Overton?" With a gruff look and sharp retort, he said, "Who wants to know?" I knew at that moment the man had grit.

Todd Overton had grit. I'd bet he still does. When he called and asked if he could solicit business on the forum, I was happy to oblige him, as long as he took time to answer some questions along the way. He definitely did that. As his business grew, Overton Fisheries continued to be a friend of Pond Boss.

When we first heard of his cancer diagnosis a few years ago, I was struck by his young age. It's not fair for someone Todd's age to have to battle that horrible affliction. Hell, it's not fair for anyone of any age to have to battle that disease.

Todd Overton was a worker, a thinker, and great asset to the pond management industry. He's the first guy to raise hybrid stripers to advanced fingerling and subadult sizes, changing the way many people manage their lakes.

He's a tribute to our industry. With mud under his nails, fish in his heart, and customer service where people became his friends, Todd Overton has been a stalwart to everything we all believe in...stewardship of our land and water.

God received a great fisheries professional today. The rest of us lost one. Rest peacefully, Todd Overton. We will miss you. It's been an honor to know you, sir.

RIP Todd. It was an honor to know you. Why is it that many of the great people in this world pass on way too soon in life?

I first met Todd at a Pond Boss Convention. Great guy, hard worker, creative and very good raiser of fish. I am better for meeting and knowing him.

What a loss… he will be missed. Rest in piece bud

I remember him trying to stop the leak(s) in a large aquarium with Bentonite! He was a good guy.

First guy that I bought fish from. I was one of his first customers and he drove a long way to deliver some bluegills and fatheads. Haven’t talked to him in a lot of years.

RIP

Sad day for the Pond Boss community. Condolences to Todd's family.

As long as we remember Todd he will live within us. Sprits don't die only bodies do. Todd brought special fish that he set aside for me (George's CNBG offspring) all the way from the hatchery to central Mississippi. In that pond he threw in some added forage fish and in 3 years we had 10 lb LMB. Todd always went the extra mile !

6 mth old CNBG and 10 lb LMB

I have purchased fish from the Overtons for about 10 years. I am saddened to hear of Todds passing.

I heard yesterday about Todd's passing. Tonight I looked at our pond after sunset with a nearly full moon and and nice fire burning and thought again about Todd. His Lonestar Bass, His CNBG, His Tilapia, Grass Carp, and everything else made our ponds better. His strength to fight, his quiet fortitude, and his professionalism raised the bar. Todd will be missed, may he rest in peace knowing he made things better for those who knew him.

Sad seeing Todd Overton obit. 49 years old is way too young for such an impressive guy. Rest in Peace Todd.

Todd Overton Obit

Nice Obit

So sad to hear. I met Todd at the first Pondboss convention. Before hand I asked him if I could come down to his Hatchery and check everything out. He said we would have to meet first at the convention to make sure I wasn't a crazy person. The week after I went down and spent the day with him and then went on my first electrofishing survey with one of his assistants. As a fisheries biology student I really appreciated him letting me hang out and learn.

Todd's memorial service was well attended yesterday, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon overlooking some of his beautiful lakes.
Billy Elmore and his wife Michelle were also there, and perhaps a few others from the PB community.
Such a vibrant young man to battle that affliction, but he gave it his all. Please keep his family in our prayers.

Kelly, that's me in the 3rd pic. Todd's wife Kathy messaged me and asked me to speak at the memorial, and I did. It hurt a bit, but of course it didn't match the pain and sadness of the Overton family on the front row. I was surprised she just wanted me and one of Todd's school buddies.


I've known about Todd's health issues since day one, but I didn't feel like it was my place to share that info then. He wasn't hiding it, but he just didn't talk about it.

Todd, was so much more to me. I've known him for near 13 years, and slowly we went from a business relationship, to a close personal one. He was quiet, and often customers thought he wasn't paying attention. That wasn't true. He was listening, was hesitating, and was going to give them correct information when he spoke. He often also gave options that had positives and negatives, and then let the customer make the decision.

George Glazener was like a dad to Todd, and we laughed about his, let's say, "dominant" personality. Todd would take George's fish to Cooper TX, and then started dropping off my fish on the way back to Buffalo. After George passed away, Todd continued to bring our fish to us. We hated him making that 6 hour loop, so we suggested he spend the night after a long day. So Sunday's became our Todd's bringing tilapia night. We fed him like a king, and had a suite ready for him. After dinner, we'd go sit on the front porch and cure all the problems in the world. It took us a few hours, but it was worth it. Fish, or fish related issues, were never brought up. All was going great, then Todd told us about his medical issues. He spent 3-4 years fighting his health issues as focused and hard as he could, but things just didn't get better.

Unfortunately, things got worse and Todd and I had our last Little Mexico lunch with our wives. Shortly after that we had our last text. A few days later, Todd had no pain anymore.


Thanks for everything you did for me. Love ya buddy.

Alan,
While listening to you speak at Todd's memorial service, I suspected you were affiliated with the PB group.
We enjoyed hearing the stories from you and Bo. I'm sure Todd was chuckling too.
Wish I had introduced myself afterwards, but there were a lot of chairs that needed stacking.
Maybe our paths will intersect again in the not too distant future.
Cheers.

He will be missed for sure. Hope his family will keep the fishery going. But it won’t be the same…..