Yesterday, I laid my husband to rest. It was by far the hardest thing I ever done so far in my lifetime. I got through it a little easier than I thought, and I know, it was not only because of the outpouring of love and support I had from family and friends, but from the outpouring of love that was behind me from the racing community. You all were a big part of Randy's life. As I sat in the living room a few weeks ago, I heard Randy crying in the computer room. I went in to see what was wrong, and nothing was wrong, he was reading a post from Indiana Open Wheel that Shane Cockrum had dedicated a race to him. That meant the world to him. Dave Darland dedicated a race to him on the day he passed away. That meant the world to me. Tracey and Krista Hines sent him a text message. Dave Darland called him and chatted for a few minutes. I was told Jerry Coons Jr. was going to call, but Randy had already passed. He was so honored to have known all of you and be a part of your lives. I know he touched you all in some way or another as he has so many people here at home. Thank you all for everything, wether it be a dedication to a race, a phone call that touched his heart dearly, or even raising a drink in honor of him while sitting at a race track. Just know, he loved the sport, but loved the people he met along the way even more. Thank you Andrew Quinn for coming to visit with him, Jim Thurman and Leroy for coming to visit with him. He loved seeing you all, and you were good friends. Dick and Lois Rimbey came all the way from Wisconsin to the visitation, Brent and Asha and Andrew Quinn came from Indiana, Dick Turner came to the funeral service, and Shane Cockrum came. Friend Bill Willis was there as well. Hope I didn't forget anyone...Thank you all. I know he's up there waving a checkered flag!
Wife - Debbie Mortland -

I'm sorry, forgot to say, Thank you to everyone who sent a cards. Some he got to see, some he didn't. Either way, they were greatly appreciated.

Thank you Debbie for taking care of our friend Morty. And thanks for keeping us updated on how he was doing. I know you had lots of things going on,but you always took time out to update,text me,call me on the phone when you had a few minutes etc. I kept quiet as was Morty's wish early on when we found out he had Cancer.Just told people over here that were very close to Morty over the years.I knew eventually the word would get out,and people would want to know more about him,so I put my hand up to be the spokesperson to his racing friends here.It was the very least I could do for a friend

When I found out he had Cancer,I decided that I would try to stop in and see him every chance I got. Luckily I got over that way quite a bit,so I got to see him a few times. I was very discouraged when I went to see him in the hospital when I was over for the Arnie Knepper race at Little Belleville,yet I was encouraged when I saw him at home 2 weeks later. Its hard dealing with seeing someone one day,then a week later he's gone,and knowing you cant do anything to help out.

Morty had a magnetic personality which drew people to him. After you met him initially,you always looked forward to seeing him again.In my case its very interesting. Morty was very outgoing,and I am as Maine as they come. Mainers are known for being people of few words,and in my case thats very true of me most of the time,however I do like a good laugh,and around Morty there was plenty of laughter.

I found that Morty didnt mind stirring the pot a bit,and found that out first hand at Gas City during Sprintweek a few years ago. At the time USAC seemed to have an open red anytime they threw a red flag. More than a few of us thought it was rather ridiculous to have all these open reds,which started with a blast of an air horn,then ended with another blast of the air horn. Morty showed up with an air horn of his own that night,and I can still hear his gravely voice saying something to the effect of "We looked all over the place before we found one,and it cost me $30." Of course that night they had to try it out,like on the first lap of the feature there was a red flag resulting in an open red.. USAC blows their horn,and the teams all start running to their respective cars. Just about the time the teams arrive to their car,Drew blasts,their air horn,and the teams all start scrambling back to the pits,looking rather bewildered! Then they announce over the PA that that horn wasnt the USAC horn,and go back to work on the cars,which turned into mass confusion after this happened a few times during the night.It was funny to see how much could happen by buying such a simple thing as a 30 dollar air horn.I'm sure he got way more than $30 worth of laughs out of it,I know I did at the time,and shortly after that away went both the air horn and the open reds for every flip on the track.What a trendsetter Morty was !!

Friday night I was reminiscing with Brent and Asha,and Brent told me another funny story that I had never heard before. He told me one time Morty had called Wind Tunnel when they had Boston Reid on,and he was on hold for a half hour,and unfortunately never got to Morty and his question. Morty had 2 questions for Boston had he got thru. The first was going to be did he have a ride for the Chili Bowl,and the 2nd was going to be "Have you ever heard a more rocking band than Tony Funk and the Homewreckers?!?!" I can picture Morty sitting there for a half hour,phone in hand,waiting for them to say "And next caller is Randy from East Alton Illinois,go ahead with your question Randy".......

We got to learn about the other side of Morty at his funeral. To most of us,we knew he was a fireman,and later we knew he was the Fire Chief of East Alton,but we just mostly knew him as our buddy Morty,race fan,usually dressed in shorts or jeans,and a racing T-shirt. I think I only saw him in uniform once when I stopped in at the fire station for a look around one day before going to Mortys house for supper,and then on to Little Belleville for the Arnie Knepper memorial that night. So we didnt know to much about our friend Morty the Fire Fighter.

What we got to see on Friday and Saturday was a huge outpouring from the community,and the area fire departments.Flags were at half staff thru out the town. Some bill boards outside fire stations remembering him.They had an honor guard that changed numerous times thruout the afternoon on Friday. They cancelled a parade in a neighboring town.It was something to see,and after listening to stories about him we realized he was just as much loved by the locals,as he was by us race fans,most of us far removed from where he lived.

In the end,as I've said before, I'll miss his stories,I'll miss hearing that gravely voice,I'll miss hearing that laugh of his,but most of all I'll miss having him around as a friend.........RIP Buddy.......