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John Ralph (J.R.) Bloom

Posted 2017-12-11 by Judy Wight Branson
Camp Verde Bugle, Camp Verde, Arizona
Saturday, December 2, 2017

December 25, 1929 Los Angeles, California - November 27, 2017
Cottonwood, Arizona.

J.R., a strong Christian, is now in the presence of the Lord. He was
a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was preceded in death
by his mother Thelma (Harold) Treacy, and his brother Fred and Helen
Bloom.

J.R. is survived by his four children, Doris (husband Tim), Barbara
(husband Bill), Karen (husband Stewart), and John (wife Karen). He
is also survived by Beatrice Webb, Ina Bloom, his sister, Geraldine
Schemers and his brother Bill Treacy. J.R.’s legacy continues
through six grandchildren (Jenny, Rebecca, Alicia, Ryan, Austin, and
Adrianna), and four great-grandchildren (Xander, Leiam, Olivia and
Finley).

In the fifties, J.R. built and drove drag racing cars in Arizona.
His favorite, a Bantam-bodied Sedan, used a Buick straight-8 with 6
carburetors burning 100% nitromethane fuel. J.R. claimed it to be
“the world’s first Self-Starting Nitro machine.” His passion for
drag racing earned him the number 6 entry into the Arizona Drag

Racing Hall of Fame in 2002, followed by being the 24th member
inducted into the Inliners International Hall of Fame in 2009.

In 1967, J.R. designed and built the world’s first ‘junior dragster’
for his then 9-year-old son, John. He also celebrated a drag racing
photographic career from 1953-1967, and was American Hot Rod
Association’s Official Photographer for 12 years, shooting 107 photo
stories for Hot Rod Magazine and all of the national magazines, plus
photographing over 80 weddings.

After retiring from A.D.O.T. and D.E.S. in 1988, he repaired clocks
in Cottonwood and the Verde Valley, where he was known as ‘The Clock
Man.’ He enjoyed spending time with his family and many hobbies,
including bowling and creating and inventing things with his hands.

J.R. was a kind, generous man who loved sharing his many stories. He
will be greatly missed by all.

Service and reception is December 9, 2017, at 1:00 p.m.

Westcott Funeral Home, 1013 E. Mingus Ave., Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 634-9566

An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com

Information provided by survivors.




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