Austin360 blogs > Austin Movie Blog > Archives > 2009 > May > 08 > Entry
Edwin “Bud” Shrake dies
Austin journalist, novelist and playwright Edwin “Bud” Shrake died early Friday at St. David’s Hospital, Gary Cartwright, his friend of 50 years said.
Shrake, 77, said in August he had been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer that had spread to his abdomen. Doctors told him at the time that the cancer was relatively slow-growing and gave him between 18 and 24 months to live.
Shrake began his career writing sports for the “Ft. Worth Press” and moved on to a roving correspondent for “Sports Illustrated.” He was the author of some 10 novels and three nonfiction books, including “Harvey Penick’S Little Red Book,” which he co-authored and which became the biggest-selling sports book in America.
That windfall freed Shrake to write what he pleased for the rest of his life.
He was twice married to his first wife, Joyce, with whom he had two sons, Ben and Alan.
He was married to Austin real estate agent Doatsy Shrake from 1966 to 1980. In more recent years he was the longtime companion of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards.
Despite his terminal diagnosis, Shrake was well enough to appear at the Texas Book Festival, where he talked about his collection, “Land of the Permanent Wave,” to a packed room.
Arrangements are pending.
Comments
Click here to report comment abuse.
By Joe Gracey
May 8, 2009 3:35 PM | Link to this
Oh, man, this hurts. Bud was a super-sweet man. Read Blessed McGill, yes. thank god for people like Bud!
By Carol Goodwin
May 8, 2009 10:40 AM | Link to this
Bud was a super personality and I pray that he is in a happy place now. I pray that Jody and Bud’s sons as well as all family members are comforted in knowing how much so many people knew & appreciated him. His books, his wit and his humanity were special traits. May he rest in peace.
By Mugtoe
May 8, 2009 10:35 AM | Link to this
Blessed McGill will likely always remain one of my all time favorite novels, and Bud Shrake is one of the best authors our state has produced.