By John Ulrich
Racer, CMRA Board member, businessman and noted philanthropist Brooks Gremmels died Sunday in Tyler, Texas. He was 70 years old.
Gremmels had fought pancreatic cancer for about a year and half, according to his friend Norm McDonald.
Over the years Gremmels helped revitalize CMRA, serving on the Board of Directors and sponsoring events, classes and racers. He also bought and rebuilt the town of Ben Wheeler, Texas, putting people to work and turning it into a tourist destination complete with a motorcycle museum and other attractions.
He also provided college scholarships to good students who needed help continuing their education.
According to family friend Steve Harvanek, “Brooks celebrated his 70th birthday December 15th in New York with his family. January has been a tough month for Brooks. January 4th Brooks suffered a stroke and was in ICU in Tyler, Texas for 13 days. He survived the stroke with only speech impairment. He was moved to rehab. After two days in rehab he then suffered kidney failure. Now he was moved back to the hospital, renal unit. Attempts throughout last week were not successful to regain kidney function.
“Brooks did not want to be connected to a machine that didn’t run on gasoline. The decision was made Friday to stop all treatment. Brooks was moved Friday to 24-hour hospice care in Tyler.”
According to Harvanek, Brooks’ wife “Rese took his dogs to see him at hospice before he died. Godspeed — Brooks Gremmels.”
According to McDonald, a private funeral will be held for family members this week, followed by a public celebration of life and memorial party on February 16th in Ben Wheeler, Texas.
More information will be posted as it becomes available.
THIS JUST IN FROM CMRA:
The date of Brooks Gremmels memorial party has been changed from February 16th to February 19th. It will still be held in Ben Wheeler, Texas starting @ noon. Please get the word out as soon as you can.
The CMRA’s first race weekend falls on the 16th and as soon as they realized that, they made the change.
Thanks!
Nancy Selleck
Administrator
Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA)
More from CMRA:
Sorry, I had a typo…it’s Sunday, February the 9th!!! For Brooks Celebration! 9th
Nancy Selleck
Administrator
Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA)
Office: 817-570-9779
FAX: 888-334-0166
PO Box 101177
Ft Worth, TX 76185-1177