| GrinandBarrett |
06-17-2003 08:56 PM |
Death In the Family
Tunnel-Boat Racing Loses a Family Member Buddy Babbitt Dies at Age 34 RICHMOND, TEXAS (June 13) -- A long-time member of the tunnel-boat racing family, Buddy Babbitt, passed away at his home in Houston, Texas, on Friday morning, June 13, 2003. Buddy, 34 years old, was the son of former boat racer Bud Babbitt and operated two businesses in racing. His company called Helmet Graphics provided custom helmet painting for drivers in boat racing as well as other forms of competition, including Indy cars. He also was a web site designer and operated the web site for the Champ Boat Series. Buddy was born with spinal cancer that required numerous operations throughout his childhood and adolescence. In a number of surgeries, Buddy’s ribs were used to replace the cancerous bones in his spine. The complications of these operations left Buddy with lung disease that became more severe with time and forced him to carry oxygen for breathing support. In addition to his outstanding artistic abilities, Buddy was known for his deep knowledge of the history of tunnel-boat racing and its drivers. At the last race he attended, the Champ Boat Series event at New Roads, La., last weekend, Buddy was called upon to fill in as an expert analyst to assist Art Eckman in announcing the race. Buddy is survived by his father, his mother, Joanne, and a sister, Beth. An update will be issued when funeral arrangements are known.
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