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Roy Golightly Obituary

Roy Golightly passed away in Lincoln, Nebr. on Dec. 13, 2013, the result of advanced Alzheimer's disease. He was born in Pueblo, Colo., on Sept. 21, 1928, and lived in the Denver area all his life until moving to Lincoln in 2002 to be closer to family. Roy was a lifelong drag racing enthusiast and was the first dragster in Colorado to reach 160 mph in 1955 with a car that he built himself. A charter member of The Strippers, a group of drag racers in the Denver area, he was held in high esteem by all his drag-racing friends. He retired from racing in 1965, after reaching a speed of 216 mph, and was inducted into the Colorado Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2004. He retired from Burlington Northern, now BNSF, after 40 years of service. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Lucille, Lincoln, and son Michael, Long Beach, Calif. stepdaughter and son-in-law Carol and Michael Jess, Lincoln, and stepgrandson, Adam Jess, Frisco, Colo. He was preceded in death by an infant son, his first wife Virginia, and two stepgrandchildren, Kelly Jess Edwards and Scott Jess. The family requests memorials be made in lieu of flowers to the Alzheimer's Association-Great Plains Chapter. Roy wished to be cremated. There will be no service, but the family welcomes friends to celebrate his life from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16 at 2840 Kucera Drive in Lincoln.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Denver Post on Dec. 14, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Roy Golightly

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Cory Musich

December 15, 2021

I sure do miss Roy. He was great friend and loved all he did for me. He is missed.

Cory Musich

December 17, 2012

I just heard today. I'm really sad to hear this. Roy was a great friend and I enjoyed every minute I spent with him. We had alot of fun messing around with the RC stuff. Roy will be missed and will always have a place in my heart.

Mike Wood

December 17, 2012

I did not know Roy personally but without men like him we would all still be riding around in wagons pulled by horses. RIP Roy............

Trevor Squires

December 16, 2012

I talked with him on the phone several years ago about the days he drove "Pop" Marner's old '31 Austin Bantam, which I now own. Great guy with some really great stories. God Bless.

December 14, 2012

Roy, was a great friend over the years. Remember him at the Scottsbluff Drag Strip in the late 50's. He was a great man in many ways far beyond racing. Our children sure enjoyed the his friendship and pranks over the years. Lu his wife has been a friend for over 60 years and they were a good example for all.

RIP
Dick and Pat Nelson
Cheynee, WY

December 14, 2012

I was a charter member of The Strippers along with Roy and I have a lot of pictures of him and his race cars. You can see them on Dragpixbypete.com

"Pete" Garramone

December 14, 2012

a good friend for long time wally mauck

Mark Williams

December 14, 2012

Roy bought the first car that Ron Bement built with me and was the seed money for the start of my business.

December 14, 2012

Roy was my best man.
Ron Bement

December 14, 2012

Roy was my best man when Diane and I got married in 1962.
Ron Bement

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