Gordon "Gordy" Clark Nunamaker, Jr.

Gordon "Gordy" Clark Nunamaker, Jr. passed away on April 19, 2021. He was born in Toledo on September 11, 1934, son of the late Gordon Sr. and Alice (Jarczynski) Nunamaker. He graduated from Waite High School in 1952 and served in the Army for two years in Korea. After the war, he returned to Toledo and pursued a career in the automotive field, which included a position as the Fleet Operations Supervisor for City of Toledo Police Department.

Gordy loved cars-being a mechanic, and his zeal to build drag racing cars fulfilled his life's dream. He shared his passion and enthusiasm with many others and built lifelong friendships among the racing community, and was a great friend and mentor to many who shared his passion. Gordy was always willing to teach, coach and share his vast knowledge of drag racing and building high performance engines. He has built, raced and showed countless cars over the years, including everything from an alcohol fueled funny car to go-carts and fast boats. He was never content until he found a way to make them go faster. He began drag racing in high school and competed at many dragstrips, up to as recently as October of 2020. From 1969 to 1975 he raced a 1961 black Corvette in B gas class and C altered class, running a 9.90 et with many class wins. At the age of 85 he ran 10.85 et at 129 miles per hour driving his prized silver corvette.

Gordy cared for others and was always there to help. He made the rounds a couple times a week to visit all his friends that lived nearby and loved to go to breakfast every day to see all the guys. He loved and will be missed by closest friends, Fred and Jon West and family; Dave Tanner family; Todd Reynolds family; Steve and Joe Teet and family; Scott Sass family; Ken Wainer family; Tim Swan family; and considerably more.

Survivors include Gordon's brother, Dr. Norman Nunamaker (Carolyn Schall), Gettysburg, PA; cousins, Joanne Cousino, Oregon, OH, Jeff Jarrins, Virginia Beach, VA, and David Jarczynski, Florida; niece, Nancy Rehm, Dallas, PA; and nephew, Eric Nunamaker, Gettysburg, PA. Gordon is also survived by Donny Siegler and his family—Kenny, Chad and Devin, who were all his extended family. Gordy is now chasing the quarter mile with the best of the best.

At Gordon's request there will be no funeral service. A celebration of life is being planned for this summer.

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Published by The Blade on Apr. 25, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Gordon Nunamaker

Sponsored by Freck Funeral Chapel.

9 Entries

Kirk Aldrich

April 26, 2021

I always knew who Gordy was, from his 61 Vette that he and Tom Antesky raced together in the 70's, but became good friends after I purchased the Nitrous equipped 84 Z28 from him. He invited me to breakfast Saturday morning at Mel Bermans, and the rest was history, we had breakfast together almost every Saturday for the next 32 years. One of my favorite memories was celebrating our birthdays together at Norwalk Raceway Park, My birthday is Sept. 8th, Dave Newman's is the 9th, Mike Evanoff's is the 10th, and Gordy's is the 11th, and we all have Corvettes, so we all went racing on my birthday, and we had a great time. Thanks for being a true friend, and mentor to all of us "kids" as you called us, and making so many great memories.

Craig T Latimore

April 25, 2021

R I H Gordy !!

Joanne Cousino

April 25, 2021

I will definitely miss our many trips to Jolly Rogers for perch. Rest in peace "cuz", you were loved by many and will be sorely missed.

JIM CLARK

April 25, 2021

I BOUGHT A 1956 CHEVY 2 DR. DRAG CHASSIS FROM GORDY..DRAG RACED IT WITH MAX CHILDERS (he owned the engine) .THANKS GORDY..JIMCLARK LAKE WALES, FLORIDA

Warren Bookman

April 25, 2021

Rest in peace my friend. Sorry we were not able to have that lunch we talked about.

Don Siegler

April 25, 2021

Gordy taught my oldest two boys how to drive at 15 in his wagon at Norwalk they both drove it two seasons.
He will be missed by so many people he was like a Father to
Many over years. I will miss our Sunday meals together and daily visits. Holidays will never be the same.

Jack and Carole Flatt

April 24, 2021

4/24/2021 We feel so lucky and fortunate to have had Gordy in our life as a friend; co-worker, nearby neighbor, retired together on the same day. We shall miss the visits after retirement. Gordy Rest In Peace.

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur on behalf of her brother Steve Kaptur

April 24, 2021

Please let me express deepest sympathy on the passing of Gordy. He and my brother, Stephen Kaptur, pursued their love of high speed drag racing in the B and C altered classes. Both won many awards in a very difficult field where individual determination and perseverance count. Gordy also served our City of Toledo as fleet manager in a highly complex and difficult field of endeavor. . May the strength he embodied throughout his life bring comfort to those who mourn his loss. And may his soul find peaceful repose in our unending universe.

April 23, 2021

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

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