When Royce Kershaw Jr. passed away on July 17, 2023, his family was completely shocked. The 81-year-old man had been fighting an illness for several years, but always maintained his pride and joy, as his family defined it.
Son of Royce Gideon Kershaw Sr., an important railroad businessman, he served in the United States Air Force National Guard and was a car and boat enthusiast, creating his own designs and sharing them with his family.
Upon his passing, his three children were tasked with repurposing his belongings. What they found in an old warehouse owned by the late Royce Jr. surprised them all. Amongst old coins, engines, and more, over 50 classic cars were found, including a 1931 Ford, 1913 Cadillac, 1955 Thunderbird, 1966 Oldsmobile Tornado, 1977 Mercedes-Benz, and a 2005 Honda Element.
The family knew of Royce Jr.âs passion for motor vehicles, but what truly caught their attention was a log steam train locomotive manufactured in 1913, a tribute to Royce Sr. that Royce Jr. kept throughout his life.
The condition of the vehicles ranged from pristine to showing signs of age, indicating that Royce Jr. visited the warehouse regularly. The family decided to auction off the items found, including fuel pumps, tools, trailers, signage, and more. The total amount raised and the new owners of the collectibles were not disclosed.