By Tabitha Evans Moore | EDITOR & PUBLISHER
WINCHESTER, Tenn. — Friends and family plan the second annual Block’s Bass Tournament for Saturday, September 6 beginning at 7 a.m. at the Tims Ford Bass Club in Winchester. It’s an annual tournament held in honor of former Moore County Property Assessor Darin “Block” Harrison, who died unexpectedly in 2023.
During his life, the Moore County native served as president of the Moore County Bass Club – a club he and close friends started for both bass fishing competition and fellowship.
“Darin loved fishing,” says his wife, Lynn Harrison. “After our girls were grown, he spent more time fishing. He’d spend hours planning and organizing tournaments and he loved every minute of it.”
Funds scholarships for local students
When he died, Lynn, his girls, family, and friends looked for a way to honor him and pay it forward. The first annual event took place last year and all proceeds funded scholarships for MCHS students in Darin’s honor.
Lynn says applications are handed out to MCHS seniors each year and anyone can apply.
“Darin always encouraged young kids to go to trade school, so we definitely look at those.”
So far, five local students have received scholarships from funds raised during the tournament. The 2024 recipients were Wes Clifton, Dayce Stone, and Jordan Suarez, and last year’s recipients were Bryson Carter and Brooklyn Danay Hampton, Darin’s granddaughter.
Helping youth is just something Darin always looked to do, according to Lynn. She says he lived as an amazing husband and father but always seems to love his “grands” just a little more. In fact, he loved all kids and was known at church as “the baby whisperer” for his ability to calm an upset child.
“Darin possessed a larger-than-life personality and lived every day loving life,” Lynn says. “As a friend, he listened and encouraged, but he always gave a straight answer – whether you wanted it or not.”
At the time of Darin’s death, Lynn says she and family members decided to launch the fishing tournament by taking donations in lieu of flowers and the event really took off.
“We decided to create a fishing tournament with a scholarship to combine the two things that Darin loved most: fishing and kids,” Lynn says.
Lynn says based on the success of last year, she and Darin’s friend hope to put on the tournament for years to come. If community members would like to donate to its continuation, donation can be made at the Darin Harrison Memorial Scholarship account at the Jack Daniel Credit Union.
He should still be here with us.
Lynn says the tournament will be an emotional day for her. Last year, Lane – Darin’s only grandson – and his dad, Lee, blasted off first in Darin’s boat, and Lane weighed in the very first fish – making the day even more special.
“He should still be here with us, but I’ll be there this year casting and celebrating him on his special day. Hopefully, I’ll catch something,” Lynn says. “He always made me promise that if we ever experienced this loss, I’d keep moving on and in his honor and memory, I will.”
Lynn says that with continued success, the group also hopes to support the new Moore County High School Bass Fishing Team recently launched by alumni Will Baker. {To read more about the new MCHS Bass Fishing Club, click here.}
“Darin so badly wanted Moore County to have a fishing team, so this will definitely be something we look to support in the future.”
Registration for this year’s tournament will take place on the day of the event. You can also register early on September 5 at Tims Ford Bass Club from 5-9 p.m. The entry fee per boat is $100 and up to three people can fish per boat. There will be payouts for first, second, and third place for largest smallmouth bass and largest largemouth bass. They’ll also serve BBQ sandwich plates for $10. For more information, contact Lynn at 931-307-9146 or Dawn Millaway at 931-581-6421. •
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