Ray Scheetz dies (Update)
Following the service, a reception will be held at the Swiss Park Banquet Center, which is only a couple miles from Rose Hills. Directions from Rose Hills to Swiss Park will be passed out at the service. At the reception there will be a slide show on Ray’s life and all of his family and friends will be able to share stories, thoughts and smiles on him.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Ray’s name can be made to the American Lung Association.
10/08/13 Ray Scheetz passed away early Monday morning from complications with Emphysema. Ray’s auto racing career began at the end of World War II when his Dad started preparations for the post war competition aboard his Track Roadster. Ray took to the mechanic trade and by his mid teen had caught the attention of racing Mechanic, John Pouelsen who noticed Ray's attention to detail and his organized approach to servicing the race car for the next event. Pouelsen offered Scheetz an opportunity to join his crew at Indianapolis as they took the Agajanian Special and Parnelli Jones to the Brickyard and victory in 1963. Pouelsen moved to the Bowes Seal-Fast team in 1964 through 1966 and took Ray along while campaigning with A.J. Foyt on the USAC trail.
Ray returned to southern California racing action in 1968 as the Racecar Preparation Specialist for the Morales Brothers, Don Peabody, Bill Sykes, Chuck Tucker, Billy Wilkerson, Skip Schuck, and the Kazarian Family. Some of the drivers that raced in Scheetz prepared racecars were Howard Gardner, Nick Valenta, Ray Douglas, Bob Hogle, A.J. Foyt, Chuck Hulse, Rick Goudy, Colby Scroggin, Billy Wilkerson, Booby Olivero, Bubby Jones, Don Johns, Bob Coulter and Ron Shuman with Ray collecting ten season championships. Combined these drivers worked with Scheetz to amass a total of 155 sprint car victories during his career.