08/01/2026
The true masters of this industry are quietly aging out. Today, I walked in to see one of mine, only to find out he’s gone. 👇😞
I went in to handle a warranty swap, only to find out Ted has officially retired. He kept it completely to himself, which is exactly who he was. Ted was a quiet man who never wanted to burden anyone with his problems, whether it was his health or his quiet exit from the counter. He had a lifetime of stories to tell but kept them guarded.
In the 20-plus years I’ve known him, I only managed to get a few pieces out of him, but he taught me local history I never would have known otherwise. My favorite story he shared was about an old, actual dive bar right here in Waukee called the Spur. Ted told me it was Hank Williams Senior's absolute favorite place to play when he passed through. The craziest part? That old spot sits right on the chunk of property literally behind my backyard.
Knowing how much I love Hank Williams, hearing that from Ted just showed how deep his old-school roots really went.
Ted spent his entire life in this trade. He wrenched for years before moving to the parts counter about 20 or 30 years ago? Who knows. 😆 He was the very first person in this industry to look at me, see the potential, and set up my first commercial account for Fast T's Mobile Auto.
When you’re building a business from the ground up, the right guy behind the counter is your lifeline.
About 5 years ago, when my service truck, the T-Rod, started knocking on Christmas morning, I was in a tight bind. Ted didn’t hesitate. He put together an in-house special, rods, lifters, head gaskets, the whole nine yards, at a massive discount just to keep me on the road.
He bent over backwards for me. He waived tool deposits when he didn’t have to. He gave me discounts just because he knew I was fighting the same fight. I literally wouldn’t be where I am today without guys like Ted supporting me in the trenches.
The true masters of this industry are aging out, and when they leave, they take a lifetime of loyalty, grit, and knowledge with them.
The torch has been passed silently on to me, on to us, and to be honest... it's heartbreakingly terrifying.
Thank you for everything, my friend.
Love,
-T
Fast T's Mobile Auto
