1970-1979
Mac Bale
Born: April 23, 1945
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Died: February 1, 1970
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Buried: Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California
Age: 24
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Full Name: Malcolm Lewis Bale
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Nickname:
​
Location: Lake Ming, near Bakersfield, California
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Event: Kern County Boat and Ski Club Drag Race
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Accident Date: February 1, 1970
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Boat: "Climax" hydro
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Biographical: His craft went out of control at about 170 MPH. He had just finished a run and had just deployed his parachute when his boat fishtailed and he was flipped into the water. Rescuers pulled him from the water, but a doctor at the scene said he apparently had suffered brain damage and a concussion. He was transported to Kern General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. He was from Walnut Creek, California.
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Sources
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"Hydro driver Bale killed," Hayward Daily Review, February 2, 1970
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"Drag boat driver killed in crash at Lake Ming," Los Angeles Times, February 2, 1970
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Photos
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Dwight & Mac Bale Memorial Pages
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Jan Barrett
Born: November 13, 1939
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Died: October 7, 1973
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Buried: Oak Hill Cemetery, Ballard, California
Age: 33
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Full Name: Jan Michael Barrett
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Nickname:
​
Location: Lake Ming, near Bakersfield, California
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Event:
​
Accident Date: October 7, 1973
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Boat:
​
Biographical: He was traveling at more than 150 MPH when his boat became airborne and flipped over on top of him. He was transported to Kern County General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. He was from Playa del Rey, California, and was a former football player for Cal State at Fresno and played two years for the Oakland Raiders.
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Sources
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"The Southland," Los Angeles Times, October 9, 1973
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"Man killed in boat race," Hayward Daily Review, October 9, 1973
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"Boater killed," Oxnard Press-Courier, October 8, 1973
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California Death Index (Jan M. Barrett, born November 13, 1938 in Calif., died Oct. 7, 1973 in Kern Co.)
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Social Security Death Index (Jan Barrett, born Nov. 13, 1939, died Oct. 1973, SS# issued in Calif. In 1954)
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California Birth Index (Jan Michael Barrett, born Nov. 13, 1939 in Santa Barbara Co., mother’s maiden name was Wolf)
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Photos
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Don Brandon
Born: September 23, 1937
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Died: November 3, 1974
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Buried: Alex Cemetery, Oklahoma
Age: 37
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Full Name: Delyn Don Brandon
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Nickname:
​
Location: Lake Ming, near Bakersfield, California
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Event:
​
Accident Date: November 3, 1974
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Boat: 18-foot blown gas flat
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Biographical: His boat went out of control, went out of the water, and he was thrown from the boat when it re-entered the water. He was transported to Mercy Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. He was from Fair Oaks, California.
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Sources
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California Death Index: Delyn D. Brandon, b. Sep. 23, 1937, Oklahoma, d. Nov. 3, 1974, Kern County
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Social Security Death Index: Delyn Brandon, b. Sep. 23, 1937, d. Nov. 1974, SS# issued in Oklahoma in 1955
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Don Brandon, e-mail communication to site administrator, Jan. 30, 2012
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"Race boat pilot killed in crash," Long Beach Press-Telegram, Nov. 4, 1974
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Photos
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Don Brandon, e-mail communication to site administrator, Jan. 31, 2012
Buster Brownfield
Born: December 31, 1934
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Died: November 15, 1975
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Buried: Sierra Hills Memorial Park, Sacramento, California
Age: 40
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Full Name: Buster Ross Brownfield
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Nickname:
​
Location: Nimbus Lake, near Folsom, California
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Event:
​
Accident Date: September 1975
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Boat: Keith Black Chrysler-powered "Zip Code"
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Biographical: He lived for several months after the accident, succumbing to heart failure in a convalescent hospital. He was survived by his wife, Marcia, and three daughters.
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Sources
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California Death Index: Buster R. Brownfield, born Dec. 31, 1934 in Calif., died Nov. 15, 1975 in Sacramento.
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Social Security Death Index: Buster Brownfield, born Dec. 31, 1934, died Nov. 1975, SS# issued in Calif. In 1951
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California Birth Index: Buster Ross Brownfield, born Dec. 31, 1934 in Nevada Co., mother’s maiden name was Macbuster
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"Obituary," Roseville Press-Tribune, Nov. 18, 1975
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Don Brandon, e-mail communication to site administrator, Jan. 30, 2012
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Mark Hoffman, telephone conversation with site administrator, Apr. 18, 2014
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Bill Roberts, e-mail communication to site administrator, Aug. 1, 2014
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Photos
Ray Caselli
Born: November 4, 1933
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Died: March 18, 1973
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Buried:
​
Age: 39
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Full Name: Raymond J. Caselli
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Nickname:
​
Location: Oakland Marine Stadium, California
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Event: American Powerboat Spring National Championships
​
Accident Date: March 18, 1973
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Boat: "Panic Mouse" 007 blown fuel flatbottom
​
Biographical: Just after winning his race at a speed of 131.38 MPH, the boat started riding on its side and then nosed into the water. It was thought that he may have broken a rudder. He was thrown clear of the boat and his emergency parachute opened, but hit the water at a bad angle on his neck. It was a freak accident. He was transported to Alameda Hospital where he died five hours after the crash. He was a former world record holder from Reseda, California. Just a week earlier he had won the blown fuel flatbottom class during the California Drag Boat Championships at Long Beach with a speed of 144 MPH.
​
Sources
​
"Drag racer dies in Oakland crash," Hayward Daily Review, March 20, 1973
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"Boat driver dies in flip," Long Beach Press-Telegram, March 20, 1973
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[Donnell Culpepper column], Long Beach Press-Telegram, March 21, 1973
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"Crash claims boat racer," Bryan Times, March 20, 1973
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"Racer killed," Ellensburg Daily Record, March 20, 1973
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Social Security Death Index (Raymond Caselli, born Nov. 4, 1933, died Mar. 1973, SS# issued in Illinois)
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California Death Index
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Mark Hoffman, email to site administrator, Apr. 18, 2014
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Photos
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Mac Christensen
Born: August 31, 1933
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Died: June 30, 1974
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Buried: Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, California
Age: 40
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Full Name: Charles Mack Christensen
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Nickname:
​
Location: Oakland Marine Stadium, California
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Event:
​
Accident Date: June 30, 1974
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Boat: Hondo "Shockwave"
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Biographical: He was traveling about 180 MPH on a tuning run when his boat flipped and he was thrown out. He was transported to Alameda Hospital, but died from his injuries about three hours later. He was married and the father of three children and was from Norwalk, California. He was the national champion in 1971 and 1972 while driving his unblown fuel hydro "Crucifier." In 1973 he set the quarter mile record of 202.46 MPH.
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Sources
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"Drag boat champ dies in accident," Long Beach Independent, July 2, 1974
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"Mac Christensen, former boat racing champ," St. Petersburg Times, July 2, 1974
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"Boat champion dies in mishap," Bangor Daily News, July 2, 1974
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"Boat racing champ killed," Florence Morning News, July 4, 1974
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California Death Index (Mack Christensen, born Aug. 31, 1933 in Utah, died June 30, 1974 in Alameda Co.)
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Social Security Death Index (Charles Christensen, born Aug. 31, 1933, died June 1974, SS# issued in California before 1951)
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Photos
Gianmarco Cighetti
Born:
​
Died: December 19, 1970
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Buried:
​
Age: 33
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Full Name:
​
Nickname:
​
Location: Sabaudia Lake, Italy
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Event: world water speed record attempt
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Accident Date: December 19, 1970
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Boat:
​
Biographical: He was trying to set a new world speed record for 1,500cc inboard boats. His boat hit a wave causing it to go airborne. He was thrown into the water as the boat was traveling about 125 MPH. He broke his neck on impact.
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Sources
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"Boat racer killed," Orlando Sentinel, Dec. 20, 1970
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Photos
Charles Abajian
Born: September 16, 1947
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Died: May 20, 1978
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Buried: Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, California
Age: 30
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Full Name: Charles Arthur Abajian
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Nickname:
​
Location: Lake Ming, near Bakersfield, California
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Event: Coors Boat Drag Nationals
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Accident Date: May 20, 1978
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Boat:
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Biographical: He was traveling about 100 MPH when his boat overturned and trapped him beneath it. He was transported to Mercy Hospital where he died.
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Sources
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Los Angeles Times, May 22, 1978
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"LA motorboat flips; man dies," Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 21, 1978
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Social Security Death Index
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California Birth Index (Ancestry.com)
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California Death Index (Ancestry.com)
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Photos
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Whittier Pioneer High School 1963 Yearbook
Mac Bale
Born: April 23, 1945
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Died: February 1, 1970
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Buried: Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California
Age: 24
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Full Name: Malcolm Lewis Bale
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Nickname:
​
Location: Lake Ming, near Bakersfield, California
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Event: Kern County Boat and Ski Club Drag Race
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Accident Date: February 1, 1970
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Boat: "Climax" hydro
​
Biographical: His craft went out of control at about 170 MPH. He had just finished a run and had just deployed his parachute when his boat fishtailed and he was flipped into the water. Rescuers pulled him from the water, but a doctor at the scene said he apparently had suffered brain damage and a concussion. He was transported to Kern General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. He was from Walnut Creek, California.
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Sources
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"Hydro driver Bale killed," Hayward Daily Review, February 2, 1970
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"Drag boat driver killed in crash at Lake Ming," Los Angeles Times, February 2, 1970
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Photos
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Dwight & Mac Bale Memorial Pages
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Jan Barrett
Born: November 13, 1939
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Died: October 7, 1973
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Buried: Oak Hill Cemetery, Ballard, California
Age: 33
​
Full Name: Jan Michael Barrett
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Nickname:
​
Location: Lake Ming, near Bakersfield, California
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Event:
​
Accident Date: October 7, 1973
​
Boat:
​
Biographical: He was traveling at more than 150 MPH when his boat became airborne and flipped over on top of him. He was transported to Kern County General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. He was from Playa del Rey, California, and was a former football player for Cal State at Fresno and played two years for the Oakland Raiders.
​
Sources
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"The Southland," Los Angeles Times, October 9, 1973
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"Man killed in boat race," Hayward Daily Review, October 9, 1973
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"Boater killed," Oxnard Press-Courier, October 8, 1973
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California Death Index (Jan M. Barrett, born November 13, 1938 in Calif., died Oct. 7, 1973 in Kern Co.)
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Social Security Death Index (Jan Barrett, born Nov. 13, 1939, died Oct. 1973, SS# issued in Calif. In 1954)
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California Birth Index (Jan Michael Barrett, born Nov. 13, 1939 in Santa Barbara Co., mother’s maiden name was Wolf)
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Photos
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Don Brandon
Born: September 23, 1937
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Died: November 3, 1974
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Buried: Alex Cemetery, Oklahoma
Age: 37
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Full Name: Delyn Don Brandon
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Nickname:
​
Location: Lake Ming, near Bakersfield, California
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Event:
​
Accident Date: November 3, 1974
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Boat: 18-foot blown gas flat
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Biographical: His boat went out of control, went out of the water, and he was thrown from the boat when it re-entered the water. He was transported to Mercy Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. He was from Fair Oaks, California.
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Sources
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California Death Index: Delyn D. Brandon, b. Sep. 23, 1937, Oklahoma, d. Nov. 3, 1974, Kern County
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Social Security Death Index: Delyn Brandon, b. Sep. 23, 1937, d. Nov. 1974, SS# issued in Oklahoma in 1955
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Don Brandon, e-mail communication to site administrator, Jan. 30, 2012
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"Race boat pilot killed in crash," Long Beach Press-Telegram, Nov. 4, 1974
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Photos
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Don Brandon, e-mail communication to site administrator, Jan. 31, 2012
Buster Brownfield
Born: December 31, 1934
​
Died: November 15, 1975
​
Buried: Sierra Hills Memorial Park, Sacramento, California
Age: 40
​
Full Name: Buster Ross Brownfield
​
Nickname:
​
Location: Nimbus Lake, near Folsom, California
​
Event:
​
Accident Date: September 1975
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Boat: Keith Black Chrysler-powered "Zip Code"
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Biographical: He lived for several months after the accident, succumbing to heart failure in a convalescent hospital. He was survived by his wife, Marcia, and three daughters.
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Sources
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California Death Index: Buster R. Brownfield, born Dec. 31, 1934 in Calif., died Nov. 15, 1975 in Sacramento.
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Social Security Death Index: Buster Brownfield, born Dec. 31, 1934, died Nov. 1975, SS# issued in Calif. In 1951
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California Birth Index: Buster Ross Brownfield, born Dec. 31, 1934 in Nevada Co., mother’s maiden name was Macbuster
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"Obituary," Roseville Press-Tribune, Nov. 18, 1975
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Don Brandon, e-mail communication to site administrator, Jan. 30, 2012
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Mark Hoffman, telephone conversation with site administrator, Apr. 18, 2014
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Bill Roberts, e-mail communication to site administrator, Aug. 1, 2014
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Photos
Ray Caselli
Born: November 4, 1933
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Died: March 18, 1973
​
Buried:
​
Age: 39
​
Full Name: Raymond J. Caselli
​
Nickname:
​
Location: Oakland Marine Stadium, California
​
Event: American Powerboat Spring National Championships
​
Accident Date: March 18, 1973
​
Boat: "Panic Mouse" 007 blown fuel flatbottom
​
Biographical: Just after winning his race at a speed of 131.38 MPH, the boat started riding on its side and then nosed into the water. It was thought that he may have broken a rudder. He was thrown clear of the boat and his emergency parachute opened, but hit the water at a bad angle on his neck. It was a freak accident. He was transported to Alameda Hospital where he died five hours after the crash. He was a former world record holder from Reseda, California. Just a week earlier he had won the blown fuel flatbottom class during the California Drag Boat Championships at Long Beach with a speed of 144 MPH.
​
Sources
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"Drag racer dies in Oakland crash," Hayward Daily Review, March 20, 1973
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"Boat driver dies in flip," Long Beach Press-Telegram, March 20, 1973
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[Donnell Culpepper column], Long Beach Press-Telegram, March 21, 1973
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"Crash claims boat racer," Bryan Times, March 20, 1973
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"Racer killed," Ellensburg Daily Record, March 20, 1973
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Social Security Death Index (Raymond Caselli, born Nov. 4, 1933, died Mar. 1973, SS# issued in Illinois)
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California Death Index
​
Mark Hoffman, email to site administrator, Apr. 18, 2014
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Photos
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Mac Christensen
Born: August 31, 1933
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Died: June 30, 1974
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Buried: Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, California
Age: 40
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Full Name: Charles Mack Christensen
​
Nickname:
​
Location: Oakland Marine Stadium, California
​
Event:
​
Accident Date: June 30, 1974
​
Boat: Hondo "Shockwave"
​
Biographical: He was traveling about 180 MPH on a tuning run when his boat flipped and he was thrown out. He was transported to Alameda Hospital, but died from his injuries about three hours later. He was married and the father of three children and was from Norwalk, California. He was the national champion in 1971 and 1972 while driving his unblown fuel hydro "Crucifier." In 1973 he set the quarter mile record of 202.46 MPH.
​
Sources
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"Drag boat champ dies in accident," Long Beach Independent, July 2, 1974
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"Mac Christensen, former boat racing champ," St. Petersburg Times, July 2, 1974
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"Boat champion dies in mishap," Bangor Daily News, July 2, 1974
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"Boat racing champ killed," Florence Morning News, July 4, 1974
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California Death Index (Mack Christensen, born Aug. 31, 1933 in Utah, died June 30, 1974 in Alameda Co.)
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Social Security Death Index (Charles Christensen, born Aug. 31, 1933, died June 1974, SS# issued in California before 1951)
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Photos
Gianmarco Cighetti
Born:
​
Died: December 19, 1970
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Buried:
​
Age: 33
​
Full Name:
​
Nickname:
​
Location: Sabaudia Lake, Italy
​
Event: world water speed record attempt
​
Accident Date: December 19, 1970
​
Boat:
​
Biographical: He was trying to set a new world speed record for 1,500cc inboard boats. His boat hit a wave causing it to go airborne. He was thrown into the water as the boat was traveling about 125 MPH. He broke his neck on impact.
​
Sources
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"Boat racer killed," Orlando Sentinel, Dec. 20, 1970
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Photos
Ted Holden
Born: May 16, 1940
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Died: June 13, 1971
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Buried: Sierra Hills Memorial Park, Sacramento, California
Age: 31
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Full Name: Charles Anthony Holden
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Nickname:
​
Location: Fern Ridge Reservoir, Eugene, Oregon
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Event: Balboa Raceways Championship Circle and Drag Boat Race
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Accident Date: June 13, 1971
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Boat: "Lika-De-Split" blown fuel hydro
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Biographical: During eliminations, his boat was traveling about 140 MPH when the boat began rocking back and forth on its sponsons. It started to lift into the air before it turned on its left side and nosed into the water. The craft cartwheeled a few times and Holden was thrown out. The boat then disintegrated. Some witnesses reported seeing Holden's parachute become entangled in the engine, but the chute didn't have enough time to deploy. He was transported to Sacred Heart General Hospital where he was pronounced dead about 45 minutes after the accident. He was from Sacramento, California, and had been racing drag boats for more than six years.
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Sources
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"Fern Ridge boat crash kills driver," Eugene Register-Guard, June 14, 1971
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Social Security Death Index (Charles Holden, born May 16, 1941, died June 1971, SS# issued in Calif. In 1956)
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California Birth Index (Charles Anthony Holden, born May 16, 1940, in L.A. Co., mother’s maiden name was Schafer)
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Photos
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Howard Lakin
Born: October 19, 1942
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Died: May 19, 1974
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Buried: Fresno Memorial Gardens, Fresno, California
Age: 31
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Full Name: Howard Albert Lakin
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Nickname:
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Location: Lake Ming, near Bakersfield, California
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Event:
​
Accident Date: May 19, 1974
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Boat: "Big Fella" unblown fuel flatbottom
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Biographical: The week before his fatal accident he had set a record of 147 MPH in his class and was trying to improve it at Lake Ming when he died from injuries in a crash. He was from Fresno, California.
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Sources
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"Pit stop," Modesto Bee, May 24, 1974
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http://www.riverracer.net/forums/archive/index.php/t-92487.html (accessed 3/6/11)
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California Death Index: Howard A. Lakin, b. Oct. 19, 1942, in Calif., died May 19, 1974, in Kern Co.
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California Birth Index: Howard Albert Lakin, b. Oct. 19, 1942, in San Francisco Co., mother’s maiden name was Rice (brother was Dale Bruce Lakin, born Jan. 19, 1951)
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Photos
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Ancestry.com Public Member Photo
Earl Lothringer
Born: November 16, 1943
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Died: October 31, 1976
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Buried: Westminster Memorial Park, Westminster, California
Age: 32
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Full Name: Earl Roy Lothringer, Jr.
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Nickname:
​
Location: Turlock Lake State Park, California
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Event: Central Valley Drag and Ski Boat Association race
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Accident Date: October 31, 1976
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Boat: blown fuel hydro
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Biographical: In the first hour of the race, his engine blew and the craft flipped several times. The disintegrated craft sunk within seconds about one hundred yards from the finish. He was a rookie driver from Fullerton, California.
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Sources
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"Photo finish in feature drag overshadows mishaps," Modesto Bee, November 1, 1976 (surname spelled Loftwinger in article)
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Kentucky Birth Index (Earl R. Lothringer, born Nov. 16, 1943, in Jefferson Co., mother’s name was Ada Shepard)
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California Death Index (Earl R. Lothringer, born November 16, 1943, in Kentucky, died Oct. 31, 1976, in Stanislaus)
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Social Security Death Index (Earl Lothringer, born Nov. 20, 1943, died Oct. 1976, SS# issued in Texas in 1957)
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Photos
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Hal Horrocks, e-mail to site administrator, Jan. 5, 2016
Porter McFarland
Born: December 13, 1932
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Died: May 23, 1976
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Buried: Memorial Park Cemetery, Memphis, Tennessee
Age: 43
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Full Name: Porter Anderson McFarland
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Nickname:
​
Location: Oktibbeha County Lake, Starkville, Mississippi
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Event: Southern Drag Boat Association event
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Accident Date: May 23, 1976
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Boat: "Ugly Duckling" blown fuel jet class
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Biographical: He was racing Dan Pastorini when his boat became airborne and flipped over. He was transported to a Starkville hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. He was from Memphis, Tennessee, where he owned McFarland Marine and was survived by his wife, Nell.
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Sources
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"Memphis man injured fatally when boat overturns in race," Hattiesburg American, May 24, 1976
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Social Security Death Index: Porter McFarland, born Dec. 13, 1932, died May 1976, last residence Memphis, TN, SS# issued in Tennessee before 1951
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Ancestry.com: Porter Anderson McFarland, born Dec. 13, 1932 in Memphis, TN, died May 23, 1976 in Mississippi
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Margaret Meier, e-mail communication to site administrator, Mar. 9, 2011
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http://dragboatalley.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=000402;p=0 (accessed 3/12/11)
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http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=31246 (accessed 3/12/11)
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Photos
Kenny McIntosh
Born: September 19, 1944
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Died: May 3, 1986
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Buried: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Covina Hills, California
Age: 41
​
Full Name: Harold Kenneth McIntosh
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Nickname:
​
Location: Oakland Marine Stadium, California
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Event:
​
Accident Date: August 17, 1975
​
Boat: "Porky Pig" blown fuel Pickle Scoop flatbottom
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Biographical: He was traveling over 156 MPH when his boat overturned. His parachute pulled him free of the disintegrating boat, but he suffered severe injuries, from which he died a decade later. He was from Downey, California.
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Sources
​
eman, email communication to site administrator, Dec. 14, 2018
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​
PerformanceBoats.com, Aug. 2012
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Photos
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"Wild ride," Los Angeles Times, Aug. 20, 1975
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"A Turn for the worse," Pottstown Mercury, Aug. 20, 1975
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​
"Call him lucky," Long Beach Independent, Aug. 20, 1975
John Phillips
Born: September 25, 1955
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Died: July 9, 1977
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Buried: Thetford Township Cemetery, Clio, Michigan
Age: 21
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Full Name: John Martin Phillips
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Nickname:
​
Location: Holloway Reservoir, near Columbiaville, Michigan
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Event: NDBA race
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Accident Date: July 9, 1977
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Boat: "Sundowner" blown alcohol hydro
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Biographical: He had just finished a qualifying run when his boat flipped over and blew up. He was from Clio, Michigan. One of his previous boats was a blown gas hydro named "Deliverance." His brother remembered him racing that boat when he had a broken leg in a cast.
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Sources
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"4 die in water-related incidents," Ironwood Daily Globe, July 11, 1977
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"Motorsports: Death," St. Petersburg Times, July 11, 1977
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Social Security Death Index (John Phillips, born Sep. 25, 1955, died July 1977, SS# issued in Michigan)
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Dave Phillips, e-mail communication to site administrator, Oct. 5, 2010
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Photos
Jim Sanders
Born: June 18, 1927
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Died: July 12, 1970
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Buried: Memorial Oaks Cemetery, Houston, Texas
Age: 43
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Full Name: James Luther Sanders
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Nickname:
​
Location: Town Lake, Austin, Texas
​
Event: Drag Boat and Circle Races Regional Championship
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Accident Date: July 12, 1970
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Boat: hydro
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Biographical: His boat went out of control while traveling 130 MPH. The boat flipped over and he was thrown clear of the craft, but drowned before anyone could get to him. He was from Houston.
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Sources
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"Names in the news," Long Beach Press-Telegram, July 13, 1970
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"Boat racer killed," Raleigh Register, July 13, 1970
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"Hydroplane driver dies at Austin," Corpus Christi Times, July 13, 1970
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"Death toll reaches 45 in violence," Victoria Advocate, July 13, 1970
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Social Security Death Index (James Sanders, born June 18, 1927, died July 1970, SS# issued in Texas)
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Photos
Chuck Skaggs
Born: March 7, 1931
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Died: June 7, 1970
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Buried:
​
Age: 39
​
Full Name: Charles Lee Skaggs
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Nickname:
​
Location: Willamette River, Portland, Oregon
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Event: exhibition
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Accident Date: June 7, 1970
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Boat: "Manta Ray" blown fuel hydro
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Biographical: Races scheduled to be held as a part of Portland's Rose Festival Marine Day were canceled due to choppy water conditions. Undeterred, some of the drivers made exhibition runs for the onlookers. While making an exhibition run, Skaggs was thrown from his boat when it became airborne and nose-dived into the water. He was traveling at an estimated 100 MPH at the time of the accident. He died in City of Roses Hospital while surgeons tried to save his life. He was from Renton, Washington.
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Sources
​
"Renton hydro driver killed," [unidentified news clipping], June 1970
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"Boat racer fatally hurt," Pittsburgh Press, June 8, 1970
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"Boat driver Skaggs killed," Lodi News-Sentinel, June 8, 1970
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"Hydroplane's plunge kills veteran driver," Bend Bulletin, June 8, 1970
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Oregon Death Index (Charles L. Skaggs, died June 7, 1970 in Multnomah Co., age 31, wife’s name was Joan)
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Social Security Death Index
​
Photos
Ed Wilcox
Born: March 10, 1930
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Died: September 3, 1978
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Buried: Hills Ferry Cemetery, Newman, California
Age: 48
​
Full Name: Norris Edward Wilcox
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Nickname:
​
Location: Red Bluff, California
​
Event:
​
Accident Date: September 3, 1978
​
Boat: Super Modified "Super Duck"
​
Biographical: He lived in Modesto, California.
​
Sources
​
Mike, e-mail communication to site administrator, Oct. 20, 2016
​
California Birth Index
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California Death Index
​
U.S. Social Security Death Index
​
Photos
Don Williams
Born: March 10, 1941
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Died: July 9, 1978
​
Buried: South Park Cemetery, Pearland, Texas
Age: 37
​
Full Name: Donald Lee Williams
​
Nickname:
​
Location: Brazos River, near Waco, Texas
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Event:
​
Accident Date: July 9, 1978
​
Boat: blown fuel jet class
​
Biographical: He was thrown from the boat as it became airborn. He was pronounced dead on arrival at a Waco hospital. He was from Houston, Texas.
​
Sources
​
Ancestry.com: Donald Lee Williams, b. May 10, 1941 in Houston, TX, died July 9, 1978 in Waco, TX
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"Killed during boat race," El Paso Times, July 11, 1978
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Texas Birth Index: Donald Lee Williams, born Mar. 10, 1941 in Harris Co., parents were Freeman Richard and Dorothy Mae Wylie Williams (sister was Mary Charlene Williams, born Dec. 10, 1948
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Texas Marriage Collection: Donald L. Williams, born abt. 1941, age 35, md. Linda L. Jenkins on July 30, 1976 in Harris Co.
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Margaret Meier, e-mail communication to site administrator, Mar. 9, 2011
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Photos