Gary "Buzz" Shoemaker

July 29, 1938 - November 28. 2022

Since High School:  After graduation I worked for Convair in Pomona.  Married Karen Timmons (“Timmie”) in 1958, and have lived in this area since.  We started Shoemaker Trucking in 1960.  I hauled bulk cement and later subhauled for Kaiser Steel.  Sold my trucks in 1970 and worked in the family leather business for 20 years.  During that time, I restored a ’32 roadster, 3 antique sprint cars and a ’53 GMC truck.  I hauled hay, part-time, in the “Jimmy,” entered it in various truck shows and won a few trophies.  Sold the GMC, purchased and restored a long-nose Kenworth truck and trailer and hauled hay from the Imperial Valley to various dairies in Chino until I retired in 1994.

In 1977, to add to our retirement, we purchased rental property in San Dimas.  If I’m not working on cars, I’m overseeing our rentals . . . They need restoring too!

I have enjoyed racing since I was a kid, so I built a shop in our backyard and have been busy restoring antique sprint cars and taking them to various shows.  They have been used as the pace-car at Perris Speedway.  Have restored 14 sprint cars, five of which are on display at Justice Brothers Museum.  Enjoy going to swap meets to find parts.  If I can’t find what I need, I fabricate the parts myself.  In 2000, our son Doug and I started racing modern sprint cars.  We trailer them to Perris, Ventura, Phoenix and most recently to Pahrump, NV.  It’s a thrill to watch them race and hoprfully win!

During the off season, Timmie and I love to travel, especially to Stateline, Laughlin or Bisho to fish.  Have enjoyed cruises to Alaska.  Life is good.  Our sons and daughters-in-law are successful and they all live nearby.  We see them and the grandcildren often.

Working in my shop gives me great pleasure.  You can find me there most everyday.  Stop by sometime!