A Legacy of Achievements...
- vol. 15 # 1
Poker Runs America commemorates the lives and accomplishments of Bob Morgan, Jeffrey Tillman, Joey Gratton and John Costello…. the people that touched our hearts and minds.
Joey Gratton
Joey Gratton was born and raised in Naples, FL, and from a very young age he demonstrated strong skills and talent as an athlete and was the best at whatever he set his mind too. As a child he grew up playing little league basketball, baseball and football. From there, he grew into a natural champion as a motocross racer, a nationally-ranked tennis player and World Champion powerboat racer. He was a true achiever.
During his motor cross years in the 1970’s, Joey raced on the professional circuit earning $500 to $600 a week, climbing to the Number 1 rank in the Southeastern United States. His motocross career ended abruptly during practice in his mid-20s after landing too hard off a jump. The impact unfortunately forced the bike’s foot peg to pierce his knee, severing a tendon.
At the age of 28, he became interested in tennis. By the age of 35, Joey ranked Number 1 on the amateur circuit in Florida and Number 3 nationally for his age group. He regularly competed in the USTA Leagues (where he and his team won the National Championship in 9.0 mixed doubles) and was looking forward to the 2012 season where he was going to start playing the national “Father/Son” tournaments with his son Brock.
“Joey was an amazing guy,” says two-time Australian Open-winner Johan Kriek, a former Naples resident and close friend of Joey. “He was a tremendous athlete. Joey did everything to the fullest – a larger-than-life type of guy, one of the last of the Mohicans.”
After moving to Sarasota, Joey loved watching the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix Powerboat races. He would always say, “I’m going to be in one of those boats one day”. In 1997, his dream came true and raced a powerboat when a throttleman recognized him from his motocross exploits. He was invited to drive a pro-stock outboard at the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix. Of course, Joey accepted the invitation!
His first race didn’t go exactly as planned. During the pace lap Joey was stunned as the steering wheel came off in his hands! After wrestling it back onto the shaft, they popped a motor and were unable to finish the race.
But Joey overcame that inauspicious start and raced with another team where he earned his first national win later that year. It were also in 1997 when Joey met Steve Page. Joey and Steve became teammates the following year and went on to win seven World titles, 10 National championships and 53 National and Regional 1st place titles.
On November 11, 2011, Joey was taken from us while racing in the 31st Annual Key West World Championship. He was on his final lap, when the boat rolled and Joey drowned, as he was not able to get out in time. He was 59.
Joey leaves behind his soul mate of 33 years Priscilla, twin 30-year-old sons Brock and Blake, two daughter-in-laws Michelle and Brittany, granddaughter Scarlett, his mother Winnie and husband Ira Mogul, brother Ron Stanley and sister Kim Pell.
Our mission is to help provide the opportunity and the means by which children can actively participate in an organized sport that values personal integrity, team and leadership skills, in a fun and healthy learning environment. This is accomplished through donations of equipment and scholarships.
Joey Gratton loved kids and loved sports. To celebrate his life, The Joey Gratton Foundation has been formed to concentrate on creating the opportunity for less fortunate children to enjoy the excitement of recreational sports. – The Gratton Family
Bob Morgan
I can still hear the enthusiasm in Bob’s voice when he told me about the grand reopening of Big Thunder Marine that was scheduled for April 2012 under the name Big Thunder Motorsports Park & Marine Complex in The Lake of the Ozarks, MO.
Bob’s enthusiastic voice and his high spirits will forever be remembered in the hearts and minds of his loving family, respected colleagues, and friends throughout the performance boating industry. My good friend Bob Morgan lost his life last November in a tragic accident at the 31st Annual Key West World Championship. He was 74.
I have known Bob for many years, enjoying his company at poker runs, the races or just spending time with him and his wife Sue at their residence in the Fort Meyers/Cape Coral area. As we live nearby, it was common for Bob to throw fabulous parties for the members of the offshore community. Bob’s energy and enthusiasm was always an inspiration. One year, after recovering from heart surgery, Bob surprised us all on the dance floor as he easily wore out all the younger couples. Even when the music stopped he kept on going. Like a gladiator, he just bounced back from the heart surgery. He had the same attitude on the water.
A true competitor with many titles to his credit, Bob’s racing career began in the mid-1960s in a 16-foot Biesemeyer running in the 75 – 80 mph class. However, it wasn’t long before Bob wanted to go faster, so he moved up to his first gasser – a Hondo flat bottom capable of speeds of 115 mph.
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