Kenny Hirata

Kenny Hirata

98, of Lowell, IN, passed away on Monday, April 13, 2026.  He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Chiyo; children, Mimi (Dave Myers) of CA, JoAnn (Gary Dolick) of Indianapolis, and David (Molly Tucker) of Lowell.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Ataye and Fusa; sisters, Yoshiko Inouye and Mineko Hirata.

Kenny was a Sergeant in the Army and a Korean War Veteran, and was a participant with Honor Flight Chicago in 2017.  He and Chiyo moved to Lowell from Ohio in 1956, and a year later opened Lowell Body Shop.  He retired from operating the business in 1990, took up golf and continued to work daily.  In the 1970’s, he Coached Lowell Bluebird Softball to a few State Championships.  Kenny had a love for going fast.  He was a member of the NHRA, and began drag racing on the streets in Ohio before entering into sanctioned drag racing.  He won both the 1963 and 65 US Nationals and the 1966 Bakersfield Fuel and Gas Championship.  He was well known as an accomplished engine builder and tuner.  He stepped away from drag racing in the early 1970’s, only to return in 1997 with David behind the wheel.  He again experienced great success over the next two decades, tuning the Hirata Motorsports A/Fuel dragster to several National and Regional event wins, as well as two Region Championships.  He was the recipient of the 1973 NHRA North Central Division 3 Old Timers Club Award, NHRA Lifetime Achievement Award, and was inducted into both the North Central Division 3 Hall of Fame and the Don Garlits International Drag Racing Hall of Fame.  Kenny was a member of the Lowell Moose Lodge and a Lifetime member of Lowell’s VFW and American Legion. 

Cremation will precede Visitation will be held on May 2 from 2-6 at Sheets Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Lowell. 

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be given to the Lowell American Legion, Post 101. 

sheetsfuneral.com

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