Smoker Craft announced some sad news this week. John Babbit, Smoker Craft’s international sales manager, passed away last week at the age of 69 at his home in Indianapolis. John handled the international sales for Smoker Craft for the last 14 years and was well-known and highly regarded by those that knew him.
John was born in Austria and followed his father’s example by enlisting in the military. After his service as a tank commander in the US Army was completed, he began with Starcraft in the early 1970s as the export manager. His experience abroad led him to form his own company in the early 1980s. He returned to Smoker Craft in 2002, where he remained for the rest of his years.
John had no children, despite being married three times. Those who knew him will remember him as a warm and generous man. In a statement by the company, they said, “He was truly a larger-than-life personality who took no greater delight than sharing his intense love of travel, fine dining and French wines at every opportunity. He will be sorely missed.”
