Derby Car Memorializes Teen Killed In Crash
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Tim [email protected]
Brown's car is a memorial to Brady Houck, a Warsaw Community High School senior who died in an auto accident May 20.
Brown and Houck spent the winter preparing the car for the derby. Houck planned to work in the pit area during the derby. Brown said his wife used to babysit Houck when Houck was in grade school.
"I didn't really get to know him well back then," said Brown. "But, two years ago, we started working together at Boggs Automotive."
Brown said Houck, who planned on a career as a mechanic and loved go-cart racing, suggested several times that the two build a car for the demolition derby.
"This year, I said, 'Well, let's do it,'" said Brown. "We had it all done. The only thing we had to do was put the paint scheme on it and that's when he had his accident."
Brown said he enjoyed working with Houck. "He was just a good kid. He was just a very mature kid for his age. He was always wanting to help," he said. "That Friday before prom, we worked together. I said, 'Well, just be careful this weekend,' and that's the last thing I said to him."
Brown said shortly after the accident he decided the car would be a memorial.
"I got the call that Sunday when Brady had his accident," said Brown. "It really didn't hit me until the next day. I got up the next morning and walked outside and saw the car we built together and I just lost it. That's when I knew this is what had to be done."
Brown painted the car black and white with No. 10, Houck's go-cart racing number. "In Memory of Brady Houck," is painted on the hood of the car, and "This one's for you, Brady," is painted on the back. Houck's friends, family members and classmates have written their signatures and notes on the car.
The car is on display at the fairgrounds. Brown said he hopes the car will bring attention to the Brady Houck Scholarship Fund. The fund is in the process of being established through the Kosciusko County Community Foundation.
Trish Marshall is a member of the fair board of directors. She also is engaged to marry Houck's brother, Jim Smith. Marshall said a minimum of $5,000 is needed to establish the scholarship. Brown said any prize money he wins driving the car in the derby will be donated to the scholarship fund.
Marshall said a memorial will be held before the derby tonight to remember Houck. "He'll be looking over it and keeping everybody safe," she said.[[In-content Ad]]
Brown's car is a memorial to Brady Houck, a Warsaw Community High School senior who died in an auto accident May 20.
Brown and Houck spent the winter preparing the car for the derby. Houck planned to work in the pit area during the derby. Brown said his wife used to babysit Houck when Houck was in grade school.
"I didn't really get to know him well back then," said Brown. "But, two years ago, we started working together at Boggs Automotive."
Brown said Houck, who planned on a career as a mechanic and loved go-cart racing, suggested several times that the two build a car for the demolition derby.
"This year, I said, 'Well, let's do it,'" said Brown. "We had it all done. The only thing we had to do was put the paint scheme on it and that's when he had his accident."
Brown said he enjoyed working with Houck. "He was just a good kid. He was just a very mature kid for his age. He was always wanting to help," he said. "That Friday before prom, we worked together. I said, 'Well, just be careful this weekend,' and that's the last thing I said to him."
Brown said shortly after the accident he decided the car would be a memorial.
"I got the call that Sunday when Brady had his accident," said Brown. "It really didn't hit me until the next day. I got up the next morning and walked outside and saw the car we built together and I just lost it. That's when I knew this is what had to be done."
Brown painted the car black and white with No. 10, Houck's go-cart racing number. "In Memory of Brady Houck," is painted on the hood of the car, and "This one's for you, Brady," is painted on the back. Houck's friends, family members and classmates have written their signatures and notes on the car.
The car is on display at the fairgrounds. Brown said he hopes the car will bring attention to the Brady Houck Scholarship Fund. The fund is in the process of being established through the Kosciusko County Community Foundation.
Trish Marshall is a member of the fair board of directors. She also is engaged to marry Houck's brother, Jim Smith. Marshall said a minimum of $5,000 is needed to establish the scholarship. Brown said any prize money he wins driving the car in the derby will be donated to the scholarship fund.
Marshall said a memorial will be held before the derby tonight to remember Houck. "He'll be looking over it and keeping everybody safe," she said.[[In-content Ad]]
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