to mourn the recent passing of Pat Garlits, beloved wife of drag racing legend "Big Daddy" Don Garlits. “Mickey Bryant and I arrived in Ocala, Fla., in July 2009 to do an in-depth interview with T.C. Don and Pat were married on February 20,1953, when Don was just 21 years of age and his immortal racing career it its infancy. Capitano, 54, is a concert pianist, owner of Capitano Music Studio and an adjunct professor of piano at the College of Central Florida.Donna said her mother was the “glue” that held the family together. Hotels near Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing: (0.14 mi) Sleep Inn & Suites Ocala - Belleview (0.40 mi) Hampton Inn & Suites Ocala - Belleview (0.33 mi) Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ocala (0.94 mi) Ocala Sun RV Resort (9.13 mi) Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Ocala; View all hotels near Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing on Tripadvisor Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. To this roadster he added a 1948 Mercury engine block, a 1939 Ford floor shift transmission, and a 1948 Ford differential and axle. I don’t know how she did it all. The easy-to-talk-to Garlits is probably one of the most influential pioneers in the sport of drag racing. January 14, 1932. Chuck joined us in 2017 taking his cousin Donna Garlits place when she retired from the museum. Martino, the mother of drag-racing legend Don Garlits, died peacefully Sunday in Ocala surrounded by family. Pat, coined by many as the “first lady of drag racing,” stood firmly by her husband’s side, through the triumphs and glory to the ultimate of trials, before her sad passing on February 2nd following a long illness. Place Of … She was 95. Located off of I-75, it’s easy to find and very unassuming. When it comes to speak about his personal life, Don Garlits has been married to his high school sweetheart Patricia Bieger since 1954; the couple has two children together. The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing and International Drag Racing Hall of Fame is open every day from 9am-5pm.Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices. The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing is located at 13700 SW 16th Ave, Ocala, Florida, just off Interstate 75. He The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing is located at 13700 SW 16th Ave, Ocala, Florida, just off Interstate 75. Don (Snake) Prudhomme, like Garlits a multiyear world drag-racing champion, had just completed a run of his own, and was watching Garlits. Associated With. ... After the big NHRA race, the club presented my wife and me with a little tea set in recognition of my winning the entire event: Nobody else in the club had won anything. But he got to 189.04 mph, enough to break his own record. She was at dad’s side through every win, loss, crash, you name it, she was there,” Donna wrote.In addition to her husband and daughters, Pat Garlits is survived by an extended family that includes grandchildren Kirsten Capitano Watley, Rodney Donald Garlits, Sarah Lyn Smith, Benjamin Gregory Capitano and Anna Elizabeth Capitano; and great-grandchild Braden Alexander-James Garlits.A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2255 SE 38th St., Ocala, with a reception to follow. The drag racing world is mourning the death of Pat Garlits, wife of “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, who passed away Sunday at the age of 79, according to the Leesburg (Fla.) Daily Commercial. Structural Info. She was 79. ESPN featured Don Garlits during the 2014 Gatornationals elimination show. We have just fewer than 300 cars … https://autos.yahoo.com/drag-racing-legend-ed-garlits-230019388.html “He’s doing okay and has gotten most of his memory back,” said Francine Head, a Garlits assistant at the Museum. ... After the big NHRA race, the club presented my wife and me with a little tea set in recognition of my winning the entire event: Nobody else in the club had won anything. Biography Racing star Don Garlits is the most outstanding racer in the sport’s history, and that success has made […] Don Garlits, the 87-year-old drag racing legend, hoped to be the first racer to reach 200 mph in a battery-powered dragster. Often called “drag racing’s first lady,” Pat Garlits was a constant fixture at her husband’s side as he become one of the sport’s all-time greats. Luke Nieuwhof Author. “I quit,” said Don Garlits in 1959. Photo at left from SBNation.com at above link. Often called “drag racing’s first lady,” Pat Garlits was a constant fixture at her husband’s side as he become one of the sport’s all-time greats. Click here to watch Don's touching tribute to his remarkable wife of 61 years. Don Garlits was born on January 14, 1932 (age 89) in Tampa, Florida, United States. Associated With. He is currently 88 years old. She was 95. Patricia's obituary. Don Garlits in the beginning. Enjoy the Ride. Pat, coined by many as the “first lady of drag racing,” stood firmly by her husband’s side, through the triumphs and glory to the ultimate of trials, before her sad passing on February 2nd following a long illness. But, during an interview for a story about his 80th birthday, he said the best day of his life was when he met Patricia Louise Bieger in 1952 at a lake near Tampa.“I took one look. Drag racer “Big Daddy” Don Garlits has set more than a few records throughout his decades-long racing career. “Glenn Miller was our favorite. Get the best deals on Don Garlits NHRA Original Autographed Items when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. The photo above is from an earlier release on Hemmings Blog. Pat suffered from Parkinson’s disease and dementia.In an email message sent Sunday evening, Don Garlits wrote, “My dear wife of nearly 61 years left this world this afternoon. Dates of Capricorn are … Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Flipboard (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window). WELCOME TO THE MUSEUM. Date Of Birth. Don Garlits is a name that stands out not just in the category of racing, but across the entire sporting world. On Saturday afternoon, drag racing legend “Big Daddy” Don Garlits reset the world record for electric-powered (non-motorcycle) vehicles before a sizable crowd assembled at the Palm Beach International Raceway in south Florida. That has sadly changed. “She loved her man with all her heart, body and soul and never thought of anyone else but him,” Donna Garlits wrote in a letter. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to World Vision (www.worldvision.org), through which Pat and Don have long supported needy children. From countless Top Fuel triumphs, to crashes and breakage, to a clutch explosion that led him to reinvent the dragster, Big Daddy had his wife, Pat, by his side. Don Garlits sets New Electric Dragster Record in Florida; Still Chasing 200mph. A look into the close calls of Don Garlits' life and racing career. She would make us matching outfits, like at Easter and Christmas, and they were beautiful,” Donna said.“The way she took care of us ... her life revolved around our family. Dragster legend Don “Big Daddy” Garlits, at 87, is pursuing the 200 mph mark in the quarter-mile. Capricorn Named Don #7. This will be Garlits' second marriage. Enjoy the Ride. Ocala.com ~ 2121 SW 19th Avenue Rd., Ocala, FL 34471 ~ Do Not Sell My Personal Information ~ Cookie Policy ~ Do Not Sell My Personal Information ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service ~ Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Let’s discover his Biography, Net Worth, Age, Wife/Partner, Family, Affairs, Measurements, Achievements & Much More! Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing Words and photos by Bill Kloss . Martino was born in Hungary … Don's wife, Pat Garlits, his soul mate of 61 years who was the only person who could ever keep him under control, lost her battle with Alzheimer's in February of 2014. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Lemons had a home on the property where Garlits lives with his wife, Pat, and where his drag racing museum, gift shop and workshops are located. Don Garlits's first drag race car was built under an oak tree at his home in North Tampa in 1954. Let’s discover his Biography, Net Worth, Age, Wife/Partner, Family, Affairs, Measurements, Achievements & Much More! He has 144 national wins, eight U.S. Nationals titles, and 17 … Former race car driver Don Garlits and his wife Pat attend the Great Sports Legends Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria September 27, 2005 in New York... Carlits working on the engine of his dragster, In which he is confident to top 220 miles an hour over the … The drag racing world is mourning the death of Pat Garlits, wife of “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, who passed away Sunday at the age of 79, according to the Leesburg (Fla.) Daily Commercial. A Cruise Around the Museum. Capricorn Race Car Driver #33. The 87-year-old hopes that he can capture one more next week. He was a public supporter of Ron Paul's bid for the U.S. presidency in 2008. Head was with Garlits when he … Don Garlits’s zodiac sign is Capricorn. Luke Nieuwhof Author. Garlits checked her into the hospital on Friday and was told by hospital officials she was unable to leave the hospital on Sunday. Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Now Playing Don Garlits' 1986 Englishtown Blowover. While on vacation in Florida last year, my wife and I made a stop at the Don Garlits Museum in Ocala, FL. We wish another 60 years of happiness to Don and Lisa. His first, to childhood sweetheart Pat, lasted more than 60 years. He Don Garlits' daughter, Gaylyn Capitano of Ocala, a pianist connected with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, accompanied her father on the attempt Sunday. Often called “drag racing’s first lady,” Pat Garlits was a constant fixture at her husband’s side as he become one of the sport’s all-time greats. She was the girl of my dreams,” he said.He had just turned 20 and was driving a hot rod Ford and said Pat’s father “didn’t like my looks one bit.” Garlits was so taken with her, however, he traded his hot rod for a 1950 Ford with 10,000 miles on it, which made her daddy happy. The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing and International Drag Racing Hall of Fame is open every day from 9am-5pm.Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas. Don Garlits is a name that stands out not just in the category of racing, but across the entire sporting world. Most Popular #117499. Don Garlits sets New Electric Dragster Record in Florida; Still Chasing 200mph. ‘I would rather die, I told them.’ The doctor told us to find another hospital.”So they did, in Florida, with Pat riding beside her husband, who was in immense pain, on the train ride south.The crash sparked Don’s imagination and led to his creation of a rear-engine dragster, with some input from Pat.“I was still recuperating from the crash, still on crutches and we were building the dragster,” he said Monday. He was a public supporter of Ron Paul's bid for the U.S. presidency in 2008. His wife of more than 60 years, Pat Garlits, died in 2014. Don Garlits, the greatest drag racer that the straight-line motorsport has ever known, never operated completely alone. Don Garlits Popularity . Don Garlits suffered a mild stroke on Sunday, a spokesperson for the Garlits family confirmed. Digital access or digital and print delivery. She grew up poor and couldn’t afford fancy clothes, but she wanted fancy clothes. She took him to the hospital on Sunday. The American race car driver has been alive for 32,494 days … WELCOME TO THE MUSEUM. Don Garlits' daughter, Gaylyn Capitano of Ocala, a pianist connected with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, accompanied her father on the attempt Sunday. Patricia's obituary. Pat Garlits, the wife of “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, died Sunday at the home she shared with the man many refer to as the greatest drag racer of all time. Capricorn Race Car Driver #33. Don Garlits, the 87-year-old drag racing legend, hoped to be the first racer to reach 200 mph in a battery-powered dragster. Don and Pat were married on February 20,1953, when Don was just 21 years of age and his immortal racing career it its infancy. A memorial service will be held Saturday afternoon at Grace Presbyterian Church in Ocala. She has been trackside as … “My dear wife of nearly 61 years left this world this afternoon,” Don Garlits wrote in an email to the Daily Commercial on Sunday. Located off of I-75, it’s easy to find and very unassuming. … She was a big part of her community and such a giving spirit, ready to help any cause however she could.”And, apparently, the same fascination Don had with Pat was equal on her part.“She loved her man with all her heart, body and soul and never thought of anyone else but him. Chuck prior to joining the museum was in law enforcement for 18 years. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! The Garlits brothers were a fearsome force in the drag racing world. Don Garlits, now 82, met the former Patricia Louise Bieger in 1952 at a lake near Tampa, according to the Daily Commercial. 13 Jun 2017; 01:45 “I quit,” said Don "The Snake" Prudhomme in 1970. South Florida in July is not an area of … Capricorn Named Don #7. She was the forerunner of today’s super mom. A Cruise Around the Museum. His wife of more than 60 years, Pat Garlits, died in 2014. Don Garlits zodiac sign is a Capricorn. Garlits was the one who found his friend dead of … The couple would have celebrated their 61st anniversary on Feb. 20. to mourn the recent passing of Pat Garlits, beloved wife of drag racing legend "Big Daddy" Don Garlits. Brother of Don "Big Daddy" Garlits, NHRA Hall of Famer Ed Garlits was more than a force to be reckoned with on the track. All rights reserved. By Martha Maglone: Last month, February 2015, Don Garlits (83) popped the question to photographer Lisa Crigar, whom he met during a magazine interview in 2014. The drag racing world is mourning the death of Pat Garlits, wife of “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, who passed away Sunday at the age of 79, according to the Leesburg (Fla.) Daily Commercial. “I took one look. Pat Garlits, the wife of “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, died Sunday at the home she shared with the man many refer to as the greatest drag racer of all time. Neither his mother nor Pat would let doctors take his hands.“I nearly burned to death,” he said. 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