Moses Lake man recalls working for Evel

MOSES LAKE - The late world-famous stunt rider Evel Knievel reveled in the limelight.

His assistant, Moses Lake's Ray Gunn, was more comfortable in the background.

A photo taken in 1969 at a California racetrack shows the two men with a crowd of Knievel fans and reflects a piece of their 45-year relationship.

Gunn is wearing dark sunglasses and a cowboy hat in the photo. He's standing behind a resplendent white jumpsuit-clad Knievel signing autographs.

"One reason he liked me is I never tried to take anything away from him," Gunn said. "I stayed in the background and did what I was supposed to do."

Gunn, 73, worked for Knievel from 1968 to 1974.

And today he was a pallbearer at Knievel's funeral in the stunt rider's hometown of Butte, Mont.

Knievel, 69, died Nov. 30 in his condo in Clearwater, Fla., of diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease.

Throughout his career he broke 40 bones and was known as a 1970s icon with his image on children's toys and lunch boxes.

Gunn set up jumping ramps, worked on Knievel's motorcycles and drove Knievel's truck during tours, Gunn said.

Gunn even had the daunting task of gauging the correct speed of Knievel's bike before he jumped.

During the process, Gunn said he would stand by the jumping ramp, take note of Knievel's speed as he drove by and give his boss the OK to jump.

The six years Gunn spent working for Knievel were packed with travel, meeting celebrities and handling the fast-paced lifestyle.

The earlier years were the most fun because there wasn't as much pressure and work, Gunn said.

When Knievel lived in Moses Lake in the early 1960s, he owned a Honda motorcycle dealership and jumped his motorbike at tracks in Soap Lake and Moses Lake.

His first jump of about 40 feet in Moses Lake was over some uncaged mountain lions tied to a stake and a box holding 100 rattlesnakes, Gunn said.

Knievel's more famous jumps came years later.

Gunn recalled his boss soaring over 14 lined-up Mac trucks in a football stadium in Toronto, Canada, and his famed jump in 1968 in front of Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.

He also remembers when Knievel broke his femur during a jump in Carson City, Nev.

The hospital wasn't ready to discharge Knievel. Clad in a hospital cap, gown and mask, Gunn followed Knievel's instructions. He sprung his boss from the Nevada hospital and brought him to a Butte hospital.

Knievel's attempt to cross the Snake River Canyon in Idaho was also memorable for Gunn.

There were two months of preparation before the jump, which included having a well drilled and a camping area ready for the expected 35,000 spectators.

Gunn said spectators were upset after the failed jump, with some setting the Porta-Potties on fire.

Gunn moved back to Moses Lake in 1974 because he was tired of life on the road, he said. He returned to California at Knievel's request to consider working as a technical advisor in the movie "Viva Knievel." Actor Gene Kelley played Gunn's part in the movie, he said.

Gunn declined to help with the movie and returned home after realizing California was the "same old rat race I left."

It turns out Gunn left at a good time.

In 1977, Knievel shattered author Shelley Saltman's arm with a baseball bat over a book he wrote about Knievel, according to the Associated Press. Saltman was awarded $12.75 million in damages but has never collected the money.

Saltman told the Associated Press last week his lawyers intend to go after Knievel's estate. He also said Knievel had apologized through others over the years and tried to settle the lawsuit, but Saltman declined because the amount wasn't enough.

Saltman said those on Knievel's tour knew about his plans to write the book "Evel Knievel on Tour" using a tape recorder he carried.

Gunn said on Thursday Knievel didn't know about the tape recorder and Saltman deserved what he got. Gunn also called the situation sad.

Gunn and Knievel remained in touch after the 1970s, with Gunn seeing Knievel in July at "Evel Knievel Days" in Butte.

Knievel was baptized in April by Hour of Power televangelist Robert H. Schuller, who was scheduled to attend Knievel's funeral, according to the Associated Press.

Knievel talked to Gunn this year about his newly found faith in Christ.

Knievel and Gunn last spoke on the phone the night before Knievel died.

Knievel wasn't feeling well and asked for Gunn's prayers, Gunn said.

He learned the next day of Knievel's death.

"I think he saw the light toward the end," Gunn said.

More pictures are online at: www.columbiabasinherald.com.