James Francis Wick

James Francis Wick, 66, of Fond du Lac, Wis., died Monday, Jan. 12, 2009,after a battle with prostate cancer.He was born Aug. 6, 1942, the son of Edwin F. and Marie M. (Bednarek) Wickof Princeton, Wis. He attended Princeton schools, graduating from PrincetonHigh School in 1960. He began work through a machinist apprentice program atGiddings & Lewis Co. in Fond du Lac, Wis., and worked there for many years. Jim was an all-around handyman who could fix most anything. As a young man,he enjoyed spending time with his father working at the farm and airplanehangar, and raced a boat on the Fox River in the Princeton area. But hispassion was muscle cars and drag racing. Jim built a winning record atWisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna, Wis., and Great Lakes Dragawayin Union Grove, Wis., and garnered sponsorships from Chrysler, Road Americaand Packer City Plymouth of Green Bay, Wis. He followed national competitive racing circuits including the NHRA(National Hot Rod Association) and UDRA (United Drag Racer Association).Among his many trophies are awards for SS/A class winner at the 1970 NHRAU.S. Nationals and SS/A class winner at the 1971 NHRA Winter Nationals. In1972, Jim won five UDRA Pro Stock events, was first or second qualifier at25 out of 49 events and was Pro Stock points champion. His racing team wonbest appearing car and crew several years in a row, and was recognized asHot Rod Magazine's best appearing car and crew in 1971.Many fellow racers sought advice from Jim, and in 1966, he started Jim's CarShop, providing technical assistance and high performance parts to theracing industry. The shop, now operated by his son Jeff, continues to growits business today.In 1973, Jim was critically injured at an NHRA race in Columbus, Ohio. Aspinal cord injury left him a quadriplegic. After the accident, his fellowracers held a benefit for him at Great Lakes Dragaway, and the communitiesin Ohio and Fond du Lac stepped up to help the family. Through all of this,his passion for racing carried on. Over the years, he partnered with (thelate) Jim Jezwinski and Tim Mayhew, and for the last 25 years his son Jeff,to drive his race cars. He relished in seeing his cars compete andmasterminding the fine-tuning to make them faster and better.Jim is preceded in death by his father, Edwin, and his brother, Gary.He is survived by his children Jeff (Carmen) Wick, of Fond du Lac, Wis.,Alan Wick of Richfield, Wis., and Joy Wick of Appleton, Wis.; grandchildrenJordan and Bryce Wick of Fond du Lac, Wis.; his mother, Marie Wick, ofPrinceton, Wis.; his brother Doug (Michelle) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; nephewsDan (Kim) Wick, of Washington, D.C., and Josh and Noah Wick of Cedar Rapids,Iowa; his former wife, Lois Wick of Fond du Lac, Wis.; a special nephew PaulHoppman of Fond du Lac, Wis., and extensive family and friends.The family will greet friends and relatives from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan.23, 2009, at Sacred Heart Church, 232 S. Peters Ave., Fond du Lac. The Massof Christian Burial will follow at 7 p.m. with Rev. Victor Caprioloofficiating. A Mass of Christian Burial also will be held Monday, Jan. 26,2009, at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church in Princeton, Wis., with theRev. Dale Grubba officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to thetime of the Mass. Burial will take place at a later date at St. John theBaptist Cemetery in Princeton, Wis. Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory isassisting the family. A memorial fund as been established at Options for Independent Living, C/OJim Wick Memorial, P.O Box 11967, Green Bay, WI 54307. Additional information and tributesto Jim can be found at www.jimscarshop.com.

James Francis Wick

August 6, 1942 - January 12, 2009