Legendary skateboarding pioneer Donald “Waldo” Autry was found dead in his van on January 23, 2013 “outside of the Upstairs Downstairs salon where he worked in Seal Beach,” according to a story in the Orange County Register. Autry was 55.
Autry was a pioneer of extreme skateboarding, featured in movies back in the mid-’70s when the sport was in its infancy, about the same time the now-famous Dogtown crew hit the scene. His early pool and pipe skills were featured in the iconic surf film “Five Summer Stories.” friend David Hegstrom said. . . He was featured recently in a documentary called “Signal Hill Speed Run,” which premiered at Cal State Long Beach recently. He was also an avid surfer who could be found near the pier in Seal Beach or Huntington Beach.
No foul play is suspected, according to the story. We will always remember those epic images of Autry in pools and pipes. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. A memorial service will be held February 23, 2013 at the north end of the Bolsa Chica State Beach parking lot.
[Link: OC Register Photo via Blue Tile Obsession]
