[DeTomaso] The Many Loves of Judy McCartney

[Larry-Ohio Time Corp]

I have only had the pleasure of meeting Judy a few times. But I have know
her from this form, as I know many of you. Over the past 20 years I have
read most if not all of her postings. You always knew how she felt about
something, a very special trait.

God Bless and rest in peace Judy.

Larry - Cleveland



-----Original Message-----
From: DeTomaso [mailto:detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com] On Behalf
Of Laurie Ferrari via DeTomaso
Sent: April 25, 2018 8:12 PM
To: detomaso at server.detomasolist.com
Subject: [DeTomaso] The Many Loves of Judy McCartney


The Many Loves of Judy Mc Cartney, most notably for her Pantera
I just now learned of Judy's passing.  It's sad to lose old friends.  I had
written this story about Judy about a year or more ago, but she wasn't in a
great mood at the time and I didn't feel like sharingjust then.  I now wish
to give people whodid not know her or know her well, some insight into Judy
in better times, as she has beenan integral fixture and part of POCA's
history. 
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After a several hour phone call with Judy the other eveningthat lasted until
the wee hours of the morning and only ended because her phonebattery died, I
learned a great deal of her amazing past.  The original purpose of my call
was to getthe contact information on a new member as Judy has been the
MembershipChairperson of POCA since 1993 and one of a rare breed. She'll be
quick to remind you, she's been a POCAmember for forty years!    
Judy is that sweet, but can be salty, little ladyof small stature, blond
hair, adorned with Pantera earrings (that she got from me),and who greets
you at the registration table for our yearly rallies and is seenat almost
every POCA function she is able to attend.   Presentlyher chapter
affiliation is with TPOC, Team Pantera Orange County, but hasbelonged to
CHPIE and Foothill Chapters in her earlier years.  What people may not know
is that Judy hasowned her 1972 Pantera since November 7, 1975 which she
purchased as a singlelady of thirty- seven.  She claims withpride that she
celebrates its birthday every year on that day.  How she happened to seek
out a Pantera is an interestingtale.  Judy's then boss for a
packagingcompany was picking up his Corvette from a Lincoln Dealership where
it had beenserviced.   Surprisingly he came back minus the Corvettebut with
a new Pantera in its place. Judy had a chance to drive it and was so
enthralled with the car's powerand sound of the engine that she immediately
decided she must have her own.  Her car was soon thereafter found at
aGoodyear Tire Shop on Harbor Boulevard and was purchased for $9,000.
Judy also girlishly takes pride in relaying that she gotseven tickets her
first year of ownership and subsequently so many that she waswarned by local
officers that if she got one more, she'd lose her license.  She thus took
her passion to the racetrackand there she really became acquainted with her
lead foot at such places asTerminal Island Raceway. Her second husband,
Rick, an avid car and boat racer,taught her the intricacies of racing.
Like an old time love story, Judy's tale isone of enduring love through the
years. She had met Rick in 1956 while on a date with another fellow.  It was
love at first sight but it wasn'tuntil twenty years later that they
eventually wed in Las Vegas.  That was years after her marriage to first
husband,Fred Johnson, with whom she had two sons.  Rick, she says, was the
first great love in her life.  Sadly she lost him to cancer in 1988. 
As we spoke, Judy carried on side conversations with herother loves, her two
sons, one visiting from Palm Desert, Brad, and her otherson Jeff who is also
a member and on the board of TPOC.  She mentioned it is Jeff who most likely
will someday carryon the family tradition as the proud owner of her
treasured Pantera. Heryoungest love is her grandson, Chris, now twenty-four
years old and who she hasraised since he was five. Her littlest love is her
Himalayan kitty cat.  
Judy's stories are too numerous and lengthy for thiscondensed biography but
if you ever stop her at the next event, no doubt shewill captivate you with
POCA trivia from the past.  She retells of her close friendships withmany of
the founding members of POCA, her dating history, and her never
endingaffection for her Pantera which has survived a few mishaps as has she.
Another of her close friends is Santiago DeTomasoand Judy explained how she
asked him to research the special blue color shedesired for her car
(originally yellow.) He obliged and located the code. It's an older Toyota
color, same blueas used on France Krup's SI Targa Car.  Thecar was
beautifully repainted by Jorge Atlas Body and Paint.  She also gave praise
to one of her favorite technicians, Tommy Hodges.
Judy may be tiny in appearance but don't underestimate thefact that she is a
fierce fighter. She has undergone heartbreaking loses in herlifetime and has
battled many challenges to her health including a serious incident
sufferedat a TPOC Christmas luncheon in 2014. She's ever so grateful to
astute members who noticed something was wrong and called 911 and insisted
she was taken to the hospital.   She remained at UC Irvine for five days.
She further shared that she is currentlymanaging other serious issues.  She
has a wonderful supportive network of her loving family and great friends.
Here's a salute to Judy for her many yearsof service to POCA and her
dedication and love of Panteras.
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Rest in Peace Judy and thank you for all the goodmemories!