NWR RACE PROGRAM

My father J. Tom Masterson (the Elder) passed away this evening around  6:00 P.M. Pacific time in Great Falls. My sisters were with him at the  time.

He started his career in motorsports in the forties or fifties doing autocross, road rally, and as a crew chief. He then went on to be a driver, first in a Formula 5000 and then in Porsches. Finally he became an official doing many things including a starter and a steward. He was instrumental in starting the Montana/NWR double National races and a great supporter of Northwest region and Norpac division. He also has spent many years in the PCA. For the past several years you have enjoyed his "Blowing Smoke" column in SportsCar Magazine.

I don't have any further information on memorial plans yet but will pass it on as soon as I do.
 

Tom Masterson (the younger)

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(John T.) Tom Masterson, 73, died of pulmonary fibrosis on April 24.  Cremation has taken place at Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory.  Memorial celebrations will take place in Great Falls and at Pacific Raceways in Seattle.

Tom grew up in St. Louis where he graduated from Washington University with an arts degree and subsequently worked for McDonnel Douglas and Emerson. He developed an early interest in cars and raced at Mid-Ohio, Elkhart Lake, and Mid-America.  He was Marv Schoenfeld’s crew chief at Indy 500. In 1969 he moved to Great Falls with his wife Lois and three children. Survivors include Tracy and Gerald Carcione (New Jersey), Tom and Sherri Masterson (Washington), and Wendy Masterson (Michigan).

Tom was an active member of the Great Falls community serving on the Montana State Fair Advisors Board, the Chamber of Commerce, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Montana Dance Arts Association, Montana Arts Council, and recently drove for the DAV.  He owned SWAG Engineering and Mountain Shadows School of Dance.  Tom raced cars professionally in IMSA and Trans-AM and had licenses as Stewart of Race and Starter.  He wrote monthly articles for SCCA’s national magazine.  Tom was a founding member of Montana Region SCCA and Big Sky Porsche Club.  Per his request his ashes will be scattered at Pacific Raceways.

Great Falls memorial:  Sunday, May 4  3:00 – 5:00  Paddock Club, Fairgrounds

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Memorial Laps were held at Pacific Raceways, Kent WA on May 18th with SOVREN, and May 25th with SCCA.

Photos

The 2009 29th Annual Double Nationals on Memorial Day weekend will be named for J Tom Masterson.

From the Guest Book

April 29, 2008

Memories are such special gifts and I know you will have many to share of your Dad.

April 29, 2008

Thinking fondly of the Mountain Shadows days and sending love.
Brook Clark

April 29, 2008

Masterson Family,
I just want to let you know how fortunate I was to have met Tom in the SCCA. Last year was my first year out on the track and he gave me all the encouragement I need. I will miss his sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by SCCA Montana Region 105. I will keep your family in my prayers.

April 29, 2008

Met Tom and family in the 60's, and raced with Tom for many, many years. Enjoyed the friendship and learned a lot from a terrific guy. He'll be missed, and my thoughts are with the family. See ya later, Tom!

April 30, 2008

Dear Family, We are so sadden by the loss of a dear friend. We will be praying for God's comfort and peace at this time of your great loss. Gene worked with Tom at Mac and we have kept in touch via phone, e-mail, yearly Christmas letter and visits when Tom was "on the road". We will miss his sense of humor and friendship. We thank God for his friendship and plan on a joyful reunion in heaven someday. 2Cor.5:1,8

April 30, 2008

Dear Family, I have never met most of you, yet I know you. Tom spoke often to me about you and how you were and what you were doing. Tom and I met when I was very young in Great Falls and starting my career. He was a friend through the Blue Coats, of the Chamber of Commerce. He and I would have coffee weekly, and chat about things to make the community better, and you ... your family. I knew your wonderful mom too. My heart is aching today....and will be for a long time learning of the loss of such a special, dear friend who was like my second dad in so many ways. You were so blessed to have him as father.....just as I was so blessed to have him as friend. We never lost touch...even emailing eachother just a month ago.

April 30, 2008

Tom was a wonderful man who showed me some of the finer things in life. The best Scotch, the tastiest Martinis his undyeing love of auto racing and his always generous helping hand. I loved him dearly and will miss him greatly. My heart goes out to all of you childern I already miss the bi-weeklys phone calls just to say "Hi how are you"

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Tom Masterson

On April 24th the Pacific Region lost one of its great members.  After a lengthy battle with Pulmonary Hypertension Thomas Masterson passed away.  He was not only a great presence on the track but also a wealth of knowledge off the track.  He was perhaps one of the main reasons the Montana Region has had so much fun and so many well planed out events.  He will surely be missed by all of us who raced with him but also raced against him.  He was a fierce competitor who always knew how to figure the fastest way around a course.  His beloved Porsche racing was well beyond what most us will ever be able to achieve.  He loved being involved in all aspects of racing and I think his favorite was by far the Vintage Races at the old SIR benefiting Children's Hospital in Seattle.  He came out to these races as often as possible to lend a hand as well as see his son and daughter in law in Bremerton.  He also would usually bring along a long time friend Jim Keller who was involved in the timing of the races.  He will surely be missed by us all and I would like him to be remembered in a way he would want.  He never asked for much attention but I feel he deserves this recognition now.

Kent & Jan Keller friend, fellow racer and person who will always remember him in the light he deserves.

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Tom & Sherri: Frank and I were saddened this morning to hear of the passing of Tom Sr. We were friends over many years and always enjoyed working and being with him. What a shame that we have to have a race this weekend that keeps you from family.

Again - our sympathy to both of you.

Joan and Frank

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I was greatly saddened to hear of Elder's Passing.  Margie Swanson told me at PIR on Sat.  I know that he will be greatly missed.  He was the one that was instrumental in me going to Solo 1 and following it with club racing. It was always a highlight to see him at an event and  I count myself fortunate for having known him.  I did call Dwight to let him know.  Please accept my deepest sympathies and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sherm Johnston

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We are very sorry to hear of the loss of Elder.  He will be missed, but also fondly remembered.

Jim & Randi

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I just started reading the latest Sports Car and got to the item on Tom and I was stunned.

I simply wanted to convey my deep feelings of grief over the loss.

I had not seen Tom for a while as I was unable to make the Historics last year due to my heart surgery, and again this year due to Linda's fall and broken neck but non the less I had a very close feeling for Tom and I will miss him badly.

Sincerely,

Larry Dent

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