Another sad loss

G

Grady

Pro Player
I just got a call from George Dowdy, a long time friend. George had the worst of news. Our old friend, the great champion, Denny Searcy has passed away. We've been following news of Denny's poor health with trepidation for some time now.
Greg Sullivan, Jay Helfert, and I are just starting the Denny Searcy Action Ring Game at the 2007 Derby City Classic. This terrific idea was the brain storm of Greg and Jay because they consider Denny to have been the greatest Ring Game player of all time.
For me, personally, I always respected and admired Denny as a worthy and great champion and the best of human beings. He didn't have the easiest of lives, but every place that he played, he added flair and ability to the arena. I'm not embarrassed to say that Denny had the best stroke in the world, certainly better than mine. He could do things with the cue ball that defy logic and physics. I don't even think there's any film of Denny playing at his best.
I don't know what else to say except you left way too early my friend.
 
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. - 2 Timothy 4:7

This has been a sad week. Denny was a great guy, a great player, and he remained strong right until the very end. Godspeed, my friend. You will be missed.
 
Very sorry to hear about Denny. I didn't really know him well, even though I was in the same pool room at lot; he was ALWAYS in action and a little quiet and private. I can't remember a time when I went to Cochran's that Denny wasn't playing. In a room full of good players, Denny stood out as THE MAN. Everybody respected Ronnie Allen's game and gamble, but Denny was this quiet assassin who seemed almost unbeatable and we were all kind of in awe of his playing ability. He made shots you might never see again in your lifetime, just impossible-looking, Mike Massey kind of stuff. I played some good players back in the day, and Denny and Mike Massey were the ones that made me feel that I didn't have a chance, regardless of the weight. If they jacked the weight, they seemed to just jack their game enough to cover it. Denny had rare, rare talent and, from all I could tell, was a pretty decent guy. RIP Denny.
 
Denny Searcy

What a player. Played all games, had zero use for money, so he was unflappable. One of the most nonchalant players I ever seen. Almost looked bored while he was playing. Beautiful slip stroke. Probably the only guy to give CornBread Red trouble on the snooker tables in Detroit. Memory is fading, but I think he might have even beat Red playing OnePocket on a snooker table -- I know nobody else did. He and I would play Banks and 3-Cushion at the old Rack -- perfect gentleman, unlike me. You'll be missed, kid. It's a shame that only a few people know how you really played.

the Beard
 
I can't really think of anyone I would have liked over Denny in his prime, during the 70's. He was that good.

I'll never forget him showing up at the end of tournaments like in Bend, OR and Los Angeles. He would stand in the doorway with his cue, and send word that he wanted to play ANYONE, including the winner of the tournament.

A quiet, private man, he let his cue do the talking. And it was very loud.
Like Grady and Freddie said, he made the toughest of shots effortlessly. And did things with the cue ball that no one else could do.

I know he succumbed to the demons of alcohol later in life. I doubt that he ever complained though, it just wasn't his style.

I'll never forget Denny, one of the greatest.
 
I am saddened by the news as well. I have a lot of memories with me and Denny. We used to play hours upon hours, starting with pink ball on the snooker table. By the way, Denny Searcy is probably one of the greatest shot-makers for the money that ever lived.

Denny was actually sick back in the '80s, suffering from a liver problem, but he never told anyone how sick he really was, except his close friends. He had more heart than anybody.

I remember when Denny got called up to go to Bend, Oregon. Weldon Rogers got him a plane ticket, and he politely busted the whole game, winning about 36 large playing pink ball, which is 6 balls racked up on a snooker table, paying on every ball.

Last I heard, he was living in Charlotte, around Harry Panos and the gang. He will certainly be remembered in my mind as a gentleman player, but always one of the toughest to beat. May he rest in peace.
 
Jay

jay helfert said:
I can't really think of anyone I would have liked over Denny in his prime, during the 70's. He was that good.
Click to expand...


How did he play against Buddy or was Buddy's reign in the 80's?
 
Rickw said:
How did he play against Buddy or was Buddy's reign in the 80's?
Click to expand...


I'm sure they played, because Buddy was on top then too. It may have been a case of mutual respect. But knowing both guys, I doubt either one would have turned down the game. You have to understand, back then EVERYONE feared Denny. Except maybe Keith and Richie. They both played Denny around L.A. a few times. I know one time Denny busted Richie, Richie went and got money and won it all back. They quit for a while and then Richie wants to play some more and goes broke again.

I'll have to ask Buddy when I see him. Actually Buddy was rising to the top in the early to mid 70's when Denny was already tailing off. But I do know both players were together in Dayton. And Denny killed that Payball game, winning something like 30K in a week. If Buddy played in that game I don't remember.

I remember Jimmy Reid, Keith, Mataya, Richie, Hopkins, Lisciotti, Louie, Ronnie and a few others hopping in and out of that game.
 
I didn't know Denny, but Mike did and said he was just an awesome player. Our condolences go out to his friends and family.

Linda
 
It would be nice

If someone had a picture they could post? Many people probably ran into him and didn't even know it he was that reserved. My condolences.
 
Grady said:
I just got a call from George Dowdy, a long time friend. George had the worst of news. Our old friend, the great champion, Denny Searcy has passed away. We've been following news of Denny's poor health with trepidation for some time now.
Greg Sullivan, Jay Helfert, and I are just starting the Denny Searcy Action Ring Game at the 2007 Derby City Classic. This terrific idea was the brain storm of Greg and Jay because they consider Denny to have been the greatest Ring Game player of all time.
For me, personally, I always respected and admired Denny as a worthy and great champion and the best of human beings. He didn't have the easiest of lives, but every place that he played, he added flair and ability to the arena. I'm not embarrassed to say that Denny had the best stroke in the world, certainly better than mine. He could do things with the cue ball that defy logic and physics. I don't even think there's any film of Denny playing at his best.
I don't know what else to say except you left way too early my friend.
Click to expand...

Poker Paul has been telling me Denny Searcy stories the last few weeks, wonder if he knew something. He showed me a shot that Denny made to run a rack in the pay ball in Dayton that year. It was about an 88 degree cut down the side rail, at warp speed, no safety if he missed. He jammed it in and ran the rest. On a 5X10 or 6X12 snooker table. If you've ever tried to shoot a ball down the rail on a snooker table, you know how tough this is, let alone severe cut, warp speed, for shape on the next ball.

Cheers,
RC
 
sixpack said:
Poker Paul has been telling me Denny Searcy stories the last few weeks, wonder if he knew something. He showed me a shot that Denny made to run a rack in the pay ball in Dayton that year. It was about an 88 degree cut down the side rail, at warp speed, no safety if he missed. He jammed it in and ran the rest. On a 5X10 or 6X12 snooker table. If you've ever tried to shoot a ball down the rail on a snooker table, you know how tough this is, let alone severe cut, warp speed, for shape on the next ball.

Cheers,
RC
Click to expand...

Denny was the ONLY guy shooting balls down the rail on that tight pocket table.
Other players (and good ones) couldn't shoot the ball straight down the rail with ball in hand and Denny was cutting them down the rail. Damndest thing I ever saw!
 
That is the game that comes to mind!!!!

jay helfert said:
I'm sure they played, because Buddy was on top then too. It may have been a case of mutual respect. But knowing both guys, I doubt either one would have turned down the game. You have to understand, back then EVERYONE feared Denny. Except maybe Keith and Richie. They both played Denny around L.A. a few times. I know one time Denny busted Richie, Richie went and got money and won it all back. They quit for a while and then Richie wants to play some more and goes broke again.

I'll have to ask Buddy when I see him. Actually Buddy was rising to the top in the early to mid 70's when Denny was already tailing off. But I do know both players were together in Dayton. And Denny killed that Payball game, winning something like 30K in a week. If Buddy played in that game I don't remember.

I remember Jimmy Reid, Keith, Mataya, Richie, Hopkins, Lisciotti, Louie, Ronnie and a few others hopping in and out of that game.
Click to expand...
As soon as I hear his name, that is always the game that comes to mind. I am fairly sure he was the guy that they BARRED from the payball game on the snooker table at Forest Park Billiards in Dayton, Oh.
There was a lot of talent there and he beat the game so bad, they actually barred him from the game. That was the main reason I went to the tournament in Dayton, was to watch the action on the snooker table. Everyone was there. Buddy, Grady, Danny D., Freddy, Louis Roberts, Dave Favor, Mike Massey, and every player who was ranked. If we weren't watching the payball game, we were watching someone match up, or a late night ring game with a great list of players.
I know he will be playing in a great room with a great list of players now. My condolences to his family. RIP Denny.
 
Keith McCready said:
Last I heard, he was living in Charlotte, around Harry Panos and the gang. He will certainly be remembered in my mind as a gentleman player, but always one of the toughest to beat. May he rest in peace.
Click to expand...

Harry did own, and may still own a small pool room in Charlotte. It was usually filled with several "senior" players, so that wouldn't be surprising. Really sad news.
Steve
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top