Gerald "Jerry" R. Schell's Obituary
A Tucson racing fixture passed away on March 16, 2023, after living a full and adventure filled life. Jerry was born January 4, 1937 in Indiana and came to Tucson to live and race at an early age and did so most of his life. He cut his teeth at the drag strips of Davis Monthan, Mt. Lemon cutoff and East Speedway. When not going in a straight line he was making left hand turns at Corona Speedway, Manzanita and other circle tracks, dirt tracks and asphalt. He spent a few years turning wrenches for the USAF on B-36s. After and in between races he put in time with Bill Edel Motors, Jack Rowe and Sporty Cars. Jerry’s shop at 2610 E. Sequoyah has always been a gathering spot for racers and race cars of all types, drag, circle track, dune buggies Indy cars, hotrods, Hot Air Balloons and much more. He was inducted into the Arizona Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2009. His cars won awards for creativity, performance, and excellence all over the state of Arizona. Nobody could match his imagination, skill and problem-solving prowess. He could tune carburetors by ear in single and multi carb setups. Aside from the cars he was a certified pilot for Hot Air Balloons and he and his wife raced them locally, in South America and Europe for many years. His passing will not only create a giant hole in our local racing lore, but in all the hearts that will miss his expertise, support, humor and love. Jerry is survived by his wife, Glory, daughter, Yolanda and sons, Donald Richardson and Clifford Richardson and his shop family.
He will be greatly missed.
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