caryrae
03-07-2008, 07:03 PM
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Mourners say goodbye to car builder Coddington
More than 1,000 remember O.C. hot rod legend at service in La Habra.
By JAIMEE LYNN FLETCHER
The Orange County Register
LA HABRA – More than 1,000 people gathered Wednesday to say goodbye to hot rod legend Boyd Coddington with a little flair – just like he led his life.
The service was reverent and sincere, a traditional Catholic Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. He died Feb. 27 at age 63.
Most wore suits, but many of those closest to Coddington wore bold-print shirts, a tribute to the hot-rod builder's signature style.
The casket, much like Coddington's cars, is sleek and artsy with its lacquered black paint accented with electric green, purple and orange, and bearing the Boyd Coddington insignia.
The somberness of the Mass was followed by a colorful reception.
Friends and family milled around Coddington's La Habra garage. Four of his favorite hot rods sat prominently on the showroom floor.
The last car Coddington built, "French Connection," and the hot rod that has graced the cover of USA Today, "Aluma-Coupe," were among those displayed.
"I miss our breakfasts," longtime friend Tim Keeler said, standing near the banana-yellow coupe. "We had breakfast every week."
Keeler said although Coddington was the most famous builder in the industry, his death would bring about legendary status.
"I can see from the showing today that Boyd Coddington is not going anywhere," he said. "He is just getting stronger."
Coddington was known as the king of hot rods, made famous by his artful design and master technique.
His cable-television show, "American Hot Rod," gave him icon status.
Coddington grew up in Rupert, Idaho, and from a very young age dreamed of designing custom cars. He burst onto the hot-rod scene in 1982 with his restoration of a 1933 coupe.
He stacked up many awards for his work and in 1997 was inducted into the hot rod hall of fame.
Beyond his business, he had another passion.
Described by friends at the funeral as the man wearing a poker face with a big heart, Coddington loved to give back.
Coddington and his wife, Jo, founded the Coddington Foundation to benefit local and national charities.
His was known in La Habra for his generosity to local groups such as the Boys & Girls Club and the Gary Center. Every year, Coddington hosted an auction at his shop to benefit various city programs.
He was also an advocate of supporting and caring for the mentally disabled, hiring workers to help around the shop.
Connie Hutchinson, 56, of Placentia and her daughter Julie, 32, of Anaheim, were among those paying tribute to Coddington, who gave Julie a job in the store at his shop.
Coddington hired Julie through the Department of Rehabilitation in Anaheim, which helps connect people with disabilities with jobs.
"He is an incredibly giving person who offered Julie a job," Connie said. "He made a giant difference in her life."
Said Julie: "He was a father figure."
Mourners included Michael Anthony of the rock band Van Halen. He met Coddington in 1994 while seeking advice on a problem he ran into while building a truck.
Besides his wife, Coddington is survived by five sons; and seven grandchildren. A great-grandchild is on the way, expected to be born in September.
Mourners say goodbye to car builder Coddington
More than 1,000 remember O.C. hot rod legend at service in La Habra.
By JAIMEE LYNN FLETCHER
The Orange County Register
LA HABRA – More than 1,000 people gathered Wednesday to say goodbye to hot rod legend Boyd Coddington with a little flair – just like he led his life.
The service was reverent and sincere, a traditional Catholic Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. He died Feb. 27 at age 63.
Most wore suits, but many of those closest to Coddington wore bold-print shirts, a tribute to the hot-rod builder's signature style.
The casket, much like Coddington's cars, is sleek and artsy with its lacquered black paint accented with electric green, purple and orange, and bearing the Boyd Coddington insignia.
The somberness of the Mass was followed by a colorful reception.
Friends and family milled around Coddington's La Habra garage. Four of his favorite hot rods sat prominently on the showroom floor.
The last car Coddington built, "French Connection," and the hot rod that has graced the cover of USA Today, "Aluma-Coupe," were among those displayed.
"I miss our breakfasts," longtime friend Tim Keeler said, standing near the banana-yellow coupe. "We had breakfast every week."
Keeler said although Coddington was the most famous builder in the industry, his death would bring about legendary status.
"I can see from the showing today that Boyd Coddington is not going anywhere," he said. "He is just getting stronger."
Coddington was known as the king of hot rods, made famous by his artful design and master technique.
His cable-television show, "American Hot Rod," gave him icon status.
Coddington grew up in Rupert, Idaho, and from a very young age dreamed of designing custom cars. He burst onto the hot-rod scene in 1982 with his restoration of a 1933 coupe.
He stacked up many awards for his work and in 1997 was inducted into the hot rod hall of fame.
Beyond his business, he had another passion.
Described by friends at the funeral as the man wearing a poker face with a big heart, Coddington loved to give back.
Coddington and his wife, Jo, founded the Coddington Foundation to benefit local and national charities.
His was known in La Habra for his generosity to local groups such as the Boys & Girls Club and the Gary Center. Every year, Coddington hosted an auction at his shop to benefit various city programs.
He was also an advocate of supporting and caring for the mentally disabled, hiring workers to help around the shop.
Connie Hutchinson, 56, of Placentia and her daughter Julie, 32, of Anaheim, were among those paying tribute to Coddington, who gave Julie a job in the store at his shop.
Coddington hired Julie through the Department of Rehabilitation in Anaheim, which helps connect people with disabilities with jobs.
"He is an incredibly giving person who offered Julie a job," Connie said. "He made a giant difference in her life."
Said Julie: "He was a father figure."
Mourners included Michael Anthony of the rock band Van Halen. He met Coddington in 1994 while seeking advice on a problem he ran into while building a truck.
Besides his wife, Coddington is survived by five sons; and seven grandchildren. A great-grandchild is on the way, expected to be born in September.