08/30/2026
“Remembering the Ax Men Cast Members Who Passed Away” — thank you Show Biz Trend
Ax Men introduced viewers to fearless loggers, pilots and swamp characters who risked their lives in one of America’s most dangerous industries. Sadly, several memorable people from the series have since passed away. Their deaths happened under different circumstances, but each left a lasting place in the show’s history.
Jimmy “Frank” Smith, the determined owner of S&S Aqua Logging, became one of the first stars to show viewers the difficult world of recovering valuable timber from beneath rivers. Working beside his son James Jr. and their unusual vessel, Logzilla, Jimmy brought underwater logging into the heart of Ax Men. He died from cancer on November 1, 2012, at age 55, and the Season 6 premiere was dedicated to his memory.
Helicopter pilot William “Bart” Colantuono gave the series some of its most breathtaking moments as he carried enormous logs through the air. The former Navy pilot died on September 17, 2013, at age 54 when his helicopter crashed during a logging operation in Oregon.
That same year, viewers also lost Wayne “One Shot” McMorris, Shelby Stanga’s longtime friend and swamp companion. Wayne died on October 30, 2013, at age 58. His tough personality and unforgettable appearances made him part of Shelby’s extended bayou family.
Timmy “Sneezy” Gatlin, another lively member of Shelby’s crew, died unexpectedly on October 15, 2015, at only 35. Though his television appearances were limited, his humor, energy and willingness to join Shelby’s unpredictable adventures made him memorable to viewers.
One of the most heartbreaking losses came on September 16, 2016, when Gabe Rygaard died in a three-vehicle crash near Port Angeles, Washington. Gabe was only 45. Viewers had watched him grow from Craig Rygaard’s ambitious son into the leader of Rygaard Logging and one of the central figures of the entire series. After his death, his father Craig and brother Jason continued the family business while carrying the enormous responsibility of preserving Gabe’s legacy.
Just one day later, on September 17, 2016, Shelby’s cousin Richard Fletcher passed away at age 67 after a long illness. Known as “Cousin Richard,” he brought humor, arguments and plenty of swamp chaos to the show. Despite their dramatic on-screen disagreements, Richard and Shelby remained close away from television.
Stacey Robeson was introduced during the revived season as a talented young yarder engineer working with Pihl Logging. Tragically, Stacey died unexpectedly on December 15, 2018, at age 38, shortly before viewers saw him on the series. He left behind his wife and three children, while his Pihl Logging family remembered him as a skilled logger and a one-of-a-kind friend.
Veteran logger Dwayne Dethlefs returned to Ax Men in its revival after appearing during the early seasons with Mike Pihl Logging. Known for his experience, dependability and sense of humor, Dwayne helped connect the show’s original era with its final return. He died at his Oregon home on December 6, 2019, at age 60.
Melvin “Mel” Lardy, the owner of Stump Branch Logging, died on December 2, 2024, at age 49. Mel appeared during the first season as the determined boss of a small crew trying to compete with larger operations using older machinery, skill and hard work. In later years, he faced serious health struggles but continued hoping he could recover enough to return to the woods.
These men represented different sides of the logging world—from steep Oregon mountains and Washington forests to helicopters, rivers and Louisiana swamps. Although Ax Men ended, their work, personalities and stories remain preserved in the episodes that longtime viewers continue to remember.
Which late Ax Men cast member do you remember most clearly from the show?
