Getting down to Ocala and seeing the shrine to drag racing is on my bucket list. Prayers for both of you
I am putting you on our prayer list we will all have you in our prayers. I to have much experience with the doctors and one thing I can tell you for sure is that they are just like a parts guy they don't always get it right no matter how good they are. Hope you and your wife are doing well.
I'm not much for responding to this type of thread but I will be praying in my own way for him and his wife. He's been a hero of mine my whole adult life.
Big, you have been my hero since I was 15. I pray the Lord lets me shake your hand someday. The word genius is over used but I think you're a genius and NHRA hasn't been the same since the day you left. I'm praying for you and Pat
So very stunned and saddened to read this. We are all pulling and praying for you and your wonderful Wife. I know your faith is strong and will help you through this difficult time. Please keep us posted on how you both are doing. Don
Big, We only met once at your Museum. I now you would never remember that meeeting but I will for a long time !! Wishing you both the best
2 hrs ago: From Competition Plus Magazine http://www.competitionplus.com/drag-racing/news/20333-drag-racing-icon-garlits-suffers-mild-stroke Written by Bobby Bennett. Don Garlits suffered a mild stroke on Sunday, a spokesperson for the Garlits family confirmed. He is already on the road to recovery and back at work. Hes doing okay and has gotten most of his memory back, said Francine Head, a Garlits assistant at the Museum. She took him to the hospital on Sunday. It is believed the stroke was triggered by stress related to bad news hed received regarding wife Pat, whose health has been in decline lately. Garlits checked her into the hospital on Friday and was told by hospital officials she was unable to leave the hospital on Sunday. Head was with Garlits when he suffered the stroke. It was intense, she said. We were about to clean up the cabin where [longtime associate] Tommy [TC] Lemons was living and hed been told the day before that his wife couldnt come home. Those two stressors did him in. One of the last things I asked Don was if he was talking to anyone about how he felt. I think that was the last thing I said to him before this happened. Seconds later Head knew something was wrong. He turned around and looked at me and asked, What are you doing here? Head confirmed that Garlits was transported to the hospital, the same one where wife Pat was a resident, where doctors worked to bring his high blood pressure down to a manageable level. He was released on Monday afternoon. The one aspect which has remained largely unpublicized was that Monday was his and Pats 59th wedding anniversary. Hospital officials arranged for Garlits to be in her room at midnight. Head said Garlits has been overwhelmed by the support and compassion of the racing community to the point of tears. Don is seriously moved by the support of the racing community and his friends, said Head. He was brought to tears when everybody in the racing community is there, talking to him trying to support him emotionally and spiritually.
Terrible news. Big is a hero. I have had the chance to talk with him on two occasions and he is as sharp as can be about when and were he did this and that. Best wishes sent his way.
The Jalopy Journal
