AJ Foyt Racing announced on Tuesday that they will honor the memory of Marlyne Sexton who passed away on June 11.
Marlyne and her husband Joe who founded Sexton Properties which built garden apartment complexes throughout Indiana, Ohio, Louisiana and Texas. Mrs. Sexton was the driving force behind the company’s expansion into multiple states, and she continued to run the company after her husband passed away in 2002.
“I met Marlyne’s husband Joe Sexton years ago. “We were talking about garden apartments and how many they had in Houston. He flew down to see them, came back and built some on Tenth Street. I was one of the first customers, and from then on, we were just great friends.
“I loved Marlyne very much. “She was a beautiful woman and a wonderful sponsor. She wasn’t very critical, like a lot of sponsors can be. She was just a wonderful lady and a really loyal friend. I will really miss her.”
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Marlyne Sexton. It can’t be overstated the positive effects she has had on not only our team but on me personally as well. “Her strength and positive influence are a huge piece of our recent successes. I will forever be grateful for the life lessons she taught me and the confidence she instilled in all aspects of my life. Marlyne loved watching IndyCar and cheering for AJ Foyt Racing. I will miss our talks about the races and the team, but her teachings and impact will be remembered for the rest of my life.”
This weekend at the XPEL Grand Prix of Road America, Santino Ferrucci will run a special tribute livery for Marlyne Sexton.
Speaking about the news Santino Ferrucci said:
Marlyne was an incredible woman. “She really believed in me, the team and what we could do. I’m very thankful for her and her daughters, Tracy and Nicole. Marlyne really cared a lot about our team. She treated me like family during the three years I got to know her.
Marlyne was involved with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and speaking about her, INDYCAR and IMS President Doug Boles said:
Marlyne’s passion for the Indianapolis community as a whole and the INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway was a bright light for so many. “She led with her heart, a heart that was committed to making a difference and using her influence to make Indianapolis a better place to live and work. The legacy that Marlyne and her late husband Joe have left will benefit generations to come. She will be missed in and around the community for that leadership – and we will certainly miss her passion and enthusiasm for our sport of Indy car racing trackside.
Marlyne was a lifetime member and on the board of the White House Historical Association, a generous supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association and the King Charles III Foundation in the United Kingdom. A former Broadway producer, she established several musical theater programs and contributed generously to enhance facilities for the visual arts at Southern Methodist University.