Sad Day for the Lone Star Boat Racing Association
We lost a very good friend of boat racing yesterday. Ray Yates, the last Commador of the Lone Star Boat Racing Association, after a long illness, passed away yesterday. I am saddened to have to report this to everyone, as I know a lot of you were very good friends of Ray. Ray not only raced for many years, he was a pit man for Bruce Nicholson for many years, as well as promoted races at the Baytown Boat Club. He was the driving force behind keeping the races alive at the Baytown Boat Club for the PROS and OPC raceboats. If you couldn't get along with Ray, you wouldn't get along with anyone. He was always ready to help anyone whether it be at the club or at the boat races. Wayne and I were talking about it today, about how the Lone Star Boat Racing Reunion came together. We talked to Ray and decided we would open it to anyone in boat racing. After thinking about it for a while, Ray said he would do one more reunion at the Baytown Boat Club. If it were not for Ray agreeing to do one more reunion, we would not have gotten Ron HIll to come to Texas. He did not believe that there would be that much interest. Boy, was he mistaken. Ron had a great idea to do a reunion at DePue. God Bless You, Ray. We love you......We will let you all know of the arrangement when they become available.
Sorry to hear of Ray's passing
Ray was always one to come by and search me out during the Nationals at Depue and spend some time visiting. He and his wife would always end up sitting behind/alongside the PA booth where my family would sit and they were family to us. My Mom and Ray's wife always were visiting away, never mind the boat racing going on.
I will miss that big smile and his his bear hugs!
Rest in peace Ray!
Ray