Farewell Buster - You will be missed

Buster Latimer (May 17, 1935 – March 26, 2012) It is with great sadness that we report the passing away of Buster Latimer, 76, on March 26 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s. 

Very active in the water ski scene, Buster would be considered one of the founding fathers of competitive water skiing in the state.  His interest in skiing began in 1958 when he was first introduced to the sport at Duncan Lake.   He and fellow skier, Bill Dietrich, later installed a slalom course and jump ramp, and the Duncan Competition Ski Team was formed.

An avid skier, Buster became proficient in all three events.  He loved the sport so much that he spent countless hours pulling his four children – Jamie, Jana, Jeff, and Janice.   At this time all tournaments were just one round of each event, so most skiers were three eventers.   Buster sacrificed his own practice time so his kids could practice all three events.   Jeff, Jamie, and Jana became top 3-event regional competitors, and Jeff went on to compete and medal at the Water Ski Nationals.  

In 1978, the Duncan Ski Team began leasing Horseshoe Lake, which is located between Marlow and Rush Springs, from Melvin and Betty Heath.  Finally, the club had a private lake with controlled conditions for practice and began hosting tournaments.

Buster’s favorite event for himself was probably jumping.  In the early days of jumping, the boat could pass on either side of the jump ramp.  The boat passing on the left was called Texas style jumping, and Buster, along with most of the others who skied at Duncan Lake including Diane Ledford & Jamie Latimer, were Texas style jumpers.   The early tournaments at Hoseshoe Lake still allowed left-sided jumping.  However, in the early 1980’s, AWSA mandated that all jumping be done with the boat passing the right side of the jump.  For those who used the left-sided jumping style, changing was like relearning to jump and caused many proficient jumpers to quit jumping, Buster among them.

Buster was very active at Horseshoe Lake until 1989 when Outlaw Lake was built.  It was the first man-made ski lake in the state built specifically for competitive skiing. 

After Buster’s children were grown, Buster was able to devote more time to his own skiing.  He holds the current Oklahoma Men 8 Slalom record with a performance of 3 buoys at 28 off.  Skiing was Buster’s passion, and he was active in the Outlaw Lake Skiers Association until recently when his health prevented him from skiing, although he still enjoyed fishing and the camaraderie at the lake.  

We know all who come to Outlaw Lake will miss seeing Buster.