Elgin "Al" Roy Provoast
Whittemore, Michigan
June 27, 1932 - April 22, 2020
Service Location
A Celebration of Life Service will be announced and held at a later date.
Obituary Notice
Elgin “Al” Roy Provoast, age 87, of Whittemore, passed away on April 22, 2020.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years Berverly J. (Alt) Provoast. His protective and loving daughter; Connie (Bill) McAdams of Whittemore and daughter; Gayle (Dave) Woodruff of California, Brother; Lowell Provoast and Sister; Marion Chatier, all of Bay City. In-laws; LeRoy (Michelle) Alt, Maxine Scott, Larry Alt, Ronnie Alt, Arlene (Alt) Tolly. Great Grandson’s; Tyler & Christian Day, Step Grandson’s; Dustin & Cody McAdams and two Step Grandchildren; Caiden & Kenzy. Many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. He also leaves behind many drag racing friends that became like family.
Mr. Provoast was preceded in death by his son; Terry. Grandson’s; Joe and Shaun Day. Parents; Garfield & Edith (Seifert) Provoast and Parents-in-law; Ralph and Catheryn Alt. In-laws Floyde and Evelyn (Alt) Mean, Richard and Ruth (Alt) Love, Merle Chartier, Laura (Chartier) Provoast and Richard Tolley.
Al attended school in Whittemore, Michigan until the 10th grade when he had to quit school to help on the family farm and also found work elsewhere. He was one of the founders of the Whittemore Race Track. He loved to help the racers way back then, which led him into drag racing, which became his greatest passion.
Al had many goals in his drag racing life, and reached most of them, including;
- He was Division #3 class champion too many times to count.
- Al won Two Stock Eliminator titles at the NHRA Sports Nationals.
-Three-time Stock Eliminator winner of the Popular Hot Rodding Magazine National's, plus being runner-up twice.
-He also won several NHRA National Open events over the years, as well as several NHRA -Divisional World/Winston Series points meets Stock Eliminator titles.
-He has been the NHRA Division 3 overall Stock point champion twice.
-Al won the prestigious NHRA/TRW All-Stars Championship title.
-In addition to his NHRA titles, Al has also won an IHRA National event and was runner-up at another.
-The number of National Class E.T. & Mph records that Al has set over the years literally number in the 100’s…too many to list.
- In 2001, Mr. Provoast was inducted into the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Aside from his racing, Al was a loving husband, wonderful dad and a great PaPa.
He was President of the Lions Club in Otisville, Michigan for many years and when he moved back to his hometown of Whittemore, he continued being a loyal Lions Member.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life Service will be announced and held at a later date.
Memorials
Contributions may be sent to the family or made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org), Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan (www.hfmichi.org) or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
(www.nationalmssociety.org).
Condolences
Connie and Beverly you have my deepest condolences. He will be missed by me and he always talked to me when I went over there to take care of Beverly. May God be with you and your family during this difficult time.
— Karen O'CONNOR
I will dearly miss my Uncle Al. I have many fond memories of our time together. I will cherish those memories forever.
— Jeanne Fritz
DEAR BEV, MY MOST SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AT THIS TIME. AL WAS A GREAT GUY AND WILL DEFINITELY BE MISSED. I MET YOU FOLKS AT SUMMERNATIONALS IN ENGLISHTOWN NJ IN 1978. AL HAD A LIGHT BLUE/WOODGRAIN CUSTOM CRUISER WAGON. I WAS LATER REUNITED WITH YOU AT CENTRAL MICHIGAN DRAGWAY IN STANTON IN 1981 WHEN I VISITED THE FORTMANS IN LAINGSBURGH. I WORKED IN MUSKEGON AT PORT CITY VW FOR 6 MONTHS RETURNING TO CT. IN 1983. THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU BOTH WAS AT MAPLE GROVE IN THE LATE 90'S. IF I CAN BE OF ANY ASSISTANCE,DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK. GOD BLESS YOU, ERNIE RASCHKE
— ERNIE RASCHKE
One of the very great ones has passed. So sorry Bev. Al and I both raced 403 Olds...he knew more about that motor than anyone on earth. We were competitors but also friends and he was very helpful to me with my motor combination. We had a lot of talks in the pits; the race wasn't complete without spending time in Al & Bev's pit talking racing and Oldsmobile motors. He had such energy, and such knowledge, and was always willing to help. So many stories.... RIP Al.
— Mike Mayhew
Dear Bev & family, From both my brother Mark and our families, our DEEPEST condolences and sympathy upon the passing of our GREAT pal in racing, AL. He will be missed until---- FOREVER...
— Dan S. Van Koevering
Bev, Al was one of the best racers that I had the pleasure of running against, even when he was on meds and you had to count the tree for him. Best wishes and God Bless. Truman Fields, aka HardTimes
— Truman Fields
Connie and Bev and family,
Please accept our since condolences. Al was a kind friend. We will always have wonderful memories of Al through racing and other community activities. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Rick and Teri
— Rick and Teri Valent
My condolences to Bev and the rest of the family. I was in the Otisville Lions Club with Al 40+ years ago and had a very nice visit with he and Bev in Whittemore a few years back. Al was one of the good guys and will be missed by many.
— Ken Dunton Sr.
My condolences Mom provoast and Connie Al will be missed we enjoyed them being at the race track and racing with them love you and take care ME and my brother enjoy racing with your mom and dad.
— Brian Livengood
Bev and Connie my deepest sympathy. I grew up watching all race all the way back to the 55 Chevy Blue Tick. We lived on Dodge Road. And always looked up Al and Bev whenever we went to the races. Most memories are from the PHR championship races. RIP Al one of the nicest people there was. He always took time to talk to me when we were at the track.
— Gerald Buck
Bev and Connie , sending my deepest condolences , keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers. Take care and hopefully I can get up to visit this summer
— Cindy Smurthwaite Bloomfield
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