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12-20-2013, 01:05 PM
Larry Swinford has passed away in Lake Havasu City.
He moved to Havasu City AZ. from Kent WA. several years ago & continued to race in region 12 until he couldn't physically do it anymore.
Larry raced and grew tunnel boat racing in region 10 for many years before moving to Havasu City.
He was one of the strongest advocates for boat racing you would ever find, as well as one of the original club founders for tunnel boat racing in region 10.
Larry would help anyone who needed it no matter what class of boat you raced. I know of several occasions that Larry provided boats & equipment over the years for people to race. (including me when I started racing)
He spent many hours & late nights repairing equipment for people to go racing who would not be able to do it, had he not helped them out.
Larry started racing in the days when ski boats were the only thing raced. When tunnel boats were developed and came on to the scene he started building tunnel boats locally for a while, as there were not many available to be had. He continued building boats until work and family did not afford him the time anymore to build boats. Larry loved working on boats.
A great friend to many and accomplished OPC boat racer for years in Region 10 and anywhere else he could find to put LARRY'S LADY in the water.
A Region 10 race was not complete until Larry and Arlene pulled there motorhome into the pits.
Racing was in his blood like the rest of us die hard racers and there were many people (including my self at times) who did not agree with him over the years, but his heart was always in making boat racing better for everyone.
His love of racing continues as one of his daughter's races & his grand kids begin racing.
Larry was my godfather and friend who I spent many a days racing with and learning from.
Rest in peace my friend, doing what you love for all eternity.
Jeff Schmitt
Region 10,11,12
He moved to Havasu City AZ. from Kent WA. several years ago & continued to race in region 12 until he couldn't physically do it anymore.
Larry raced and grew tunnel boat racing in region 10 for many years before moving to Havasu City.
He was one of the strongest advocates for boat racing you would ever find, as well as one of the original club founders for tunnel boat racing in region 10.
Larry would help anyone who needed it no matter what class of boat you raced. I know of several occasions that Larry provided boats & equipment over the years for people to race. (including me when I started racing)
He spent many hours & late nights repairing equipment for people to go racing who would not be able to do it, had he not helped them out.
Larry started racing in the days when ski boats were the only thing raced. When tunnel boats were developed and came on to the scene he started building tunnel boats locally for a while, as there were not many available to be had. He continued building boats until work and family did not afford him the time anymore to build boats. Larry loved working on boats.
A great friend to many and accomplished OPC boat racer for years in Region 10 and anywhere else he could find to put LARRY'S LADY in the water.
A Region 10 race was not complete until Larry and Arlene pulled there motorhome into the pits.
Racing was in his blood like the rest of us die hard racers and there were many people (including my self at times) who did not agree with him over the years, but his heart was always in making boat racing better for everyone.
His love of racing continues as one of his daughter's races & his grand kids begin racing.
Larry was my godfather and friend who I spent many a days racing with and learning from.
Rest in peace my friend, doing what you love for all eternity.
Jeff Schmitt
Region 10,11,12