MHHA Hall of FameHelp us build out our MHHA Hall of fame by sending pictures of people or horses that we can post along side them on the website. You can email photos to [email protected], please remember to tell us who is in each photo. HALL OF FAME PEOPLE
Gene was born to parents Stephen and Clara (Hallett) Oldford on July 28, 1932 in Detroit. He graduated from Croswell-Lexington High School in 1950 and attended St. Clair County Jr. College and the University of Michigan. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean war, stationed in Panama. Gene, along with his brother Bill, acquired Huron Tool and Manufacturing, now Huron Inc., in Lexington, from their father Stephen in 1958. The company was sold to US Industries in 1968. He founded Oldford and Associates, an automotive manufacturer’s representative sales firm, in 1973 where he continued to work until his unexpected death. Gene was also co-founder of Black River Manufacturing, Port Huron, along with partners Jarold Hawks and Isaac Lang Jr. Always active in his community, Gene served in various leadership roles on the Worth Township Board, Boy Scouts of America, Jaycees, Croswell-Lexington Little League, Masonic Lodge and Trinity Episcopal Church. He loved horses and was very active in harness horse racing. He was a member of the United States Trotting Association and the Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Association where he was honored into its Hall of Fame. He served as president of Harness Horsemen International in 2008 receiving the HHI Person of the Year Award. Over the years, Gene gave generously to his community establishing the Stephen and Clara Oldford Scholarship fund to assist students attending St. Clair County Community College.
Larry was born on April 14, 1949, the eldest son of Malcolm and Dorothy Smith (Chopp). He was a hard worker from a young age, working on the family farm and in the grape vineyards. Following graduation from Plainwell High School, he served his country in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1969 to 1971. After returning home Larry married Glenda and they were blessed with two daughters, Sheila and Tracey. Larry trained to be a certified farrier and blacksmith and was skilled at his craft. He was a trusted blacksmith working all over the state of Michigan. Larry raced ponies before graduating to Standardbred harness horse racing. He had many memorable horses and drives over the years. He set, and still holds, multiple track records around the state. He was part of a rare triple dead heat with Skyway JayLo in 2018. He travelled to many states to race and gained many friends; among those were Ed and Penny Brown who were close friends and stable mates for many years. Larry was inducted into the Michigan Harness Horseman Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2005, he married Sue and gained two more daughters, Heather and Beth. Larry and Sue enjoyed 16 loving years together. They also enjoyed racing and riding horses, drives to watch the sunset and being with their grandkids. Larry was a very proud Papa. Since their papa had a big tractor and took them for rides his grandchildren referred to him lovingly as Papa Tractor. He doted on them and talked about them with his friends, played VERY loud music and making sure his grandkids knew he would catch a “Grenade” for them. He enjoyed watching them play sports, took them hunting and fishing and even shared a birthday with one of them. Papa Tractor taught them the true meaning of hard work, what “man hands” looked like, and to be kind to others. He would always tell them “Can’t never did anything”. If you couldn’t find him working with horses or attending an event for his grandkids, you could find him on the golf course. He was also an avid hunter who enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors with his grandchildren. Larry enjoyed a big bowl of popcorn or ice cream for an evening treat. After fair races, he would share his love of chocolate covered cherry flurries and fries with vinegar and “just a little” salt with whoever came along. When remembering Larry many will think of the V of his race colors, white, and gold and green (especially those behind him in the races.)
Mr. McCracken was born on June 29, 1915 in Newberry to the late Anson and Ethel (Alger) McCracken and was raised in Marquette. Upon graduating from high school, Jack served three years with the U.S. Coast Guard until serving during World War II with the U.S. Navy. After the war, Jack attended the Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago graduating from there in 1947. He returned to Marquette and in 1948 purchased the Swanson Funeral Home from Albert E. Swanson. He owned and managed the funeral home until his retirement on December 31, 1976. During his tenure in funeral service, Jack was active in the Michigan Funeral Directors Association serving as its president from 1969-1970. He also sat on the state board of examiners in mortuary science for 9 years through appointments by former governors Milliken and Blanchard. Besides being very involved in the funeral profession, Jack owned and operated Valley Oak Farm in Marquette, which has been in the McCracken family for two generations where he raised and raced Trotters and Pacers. Known across the Midwest as an accomplished horse racer, Jack was a lifetime member of the Michigan Harness Horsemens Association serving on its board of directors for 15 years and as their president from 1979-1984. He was also inducted into the Michigan Harness Racing Hall of Fame. A civic leader as well, Jack was instrumental in establishing the Marquette Iron Rangers Hockey Club, was a charter member of the Marquette Exchange Club, a charter member of the Marquette Ambassadors, was formerly active in the Marquette Area Chamber of Commerce, served on the Marquette County Commission for 2 terms and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Marquette and a former member of the Marquette Golf and Country Club. Jack was also a life member of Marquette Lodge #101 Free and Accepted Masons, Marquette Chapter #43, R.A.M., Scottish Rite Valley of Marquette and the Ahmed Temple Shrine. Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, the former Helen P. Grigg who he married on June 28, 1939 in Marquette; a cherished daughter, Marcia McCracken; one sister, Lois St. Onge all of Marquette; also many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death besides his parents was a 9 year-old son, Larry in 1949; 3 sisters, Helen, Donna and Theo and a brother, James. 1989 Paul Linehan HALL OF FAME HORSES
2007 Allright Sweetie |
Jack L. McCracken
LT’s Best
“She’s A Priority” maintains her lead on “JX” at Swartz Creek Raceway.
