Longtime Marketing Director for Anglers Resource Jim Ising died at his home in Foley, Alabama on January 19 due to complications from COVID-19 and leukemia. He was 71 years old.
James Otto Ising Jr. was born May 30, 1951, in Texarkana, Texas. He was a 1975 graduate of the University of Florida School of Journalism and began his career working for Nissen Advertising in Lakeland, Florida. Soon after, he accepted a position as marketing director for Jacksonville-based soft plastics manufacturer, Zetabait. When the company was sold, he launched his own brand, Coastal Lures, which made saltwater fishing lures.
Ising eventually sold Coastal Lures and opened his own advertising agency, which he ran for 18 years. Among his clients were Zoom Bait Company, Bandit Lures, Muzzy Broadheads, and Tecomate Wildlife Systems. In 2010, former Anglers Resource CEO, Carl Haber offered Ising the position of marketing director at Anglers Resource—distributor for Fuji Rod Components throughout North America.
Longtime friend and Anglers Resource coworker, Donnie Paul said, “Jim was a great partner to work with, all the way back to when we were at Zetabait together. He was incredibly talented and creative. He brought so much innovation to the brands we worked on together. His passing is a huge loss to us all.”
The company’s current owner and CEO, Bill Falconer said, “Jim embodied the best of Anglers Resource—passion, drive, innovation, and education. He was a dedicated family man and a very resourceful angler. All who knew him were touched by his generosity and impressed by his achievements. Jim will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.”
Ising is survived by his wife of 44 years, Elaine (née Ellison), his son James, and his daughters Katie and Krissy.