Manzanita is a local racing legend track here in Phoenix. A great dirt track that is being pressed by subdivisions that will probably soon gobble the land up. It will be a great loss to those of us that like dirt racing....
Reidus Gene Gunn
Reidus Gene Gunn passed away on October 18, 2005 at his home in Gilbert. He was born March 21, 1925 in Alva, Oklahoma. Gene, who has lived in Arizona since the 1940s, was a pioneer in the auto racing community in Arizona. He was one of several individuals instrumental in converting what was a dog track into Manzanita Speedway. He raced in the very first race at Manzanita on August 25, 1951. During his career he raced throughout Arizona, California and surrounding states, and for many years held the record at Manzanita for the 100-lap race. Gene worked throughout his life as a heavy-duty mechanic and retired in 1987 as shop superintendent for Calmat Cement (now Vulcan Materials). He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joann and son, Gary Reeves Gunn. Family members who will miss him greatly are children: Richard (Linda) Gunn from Oregon, Deborah (Elden) Letner from Gilbert, Jana Gunn from Glendale, and David (Teresa) Gunn from Utah. Other surviving family includes: brother, Glenn (Donna) Clary from Utah and brother-in-law Roger (Babe) Netz from Phoenix. He had 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Gene miraculously survived a severe brain injury in 1987 and spent five months in Barrow Neurological Center. The family asks that donations be made in Gene's name to the Barrow Neurological Foundation, 350 W. Thomas, Phoenix, AZ 85013. Funeral services will be held on Saturday October 22, 2005 at 10:00 AM with a visitation one-hour prior at the LDS Elliot Ward Building, 10256 S. Greenfield Rd in Gilbert.
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