Chattanooga, Tenn.—A long-time wrecker service owner in Union City was inducted into the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum in Chattanooga Wednesday night. Chattanooga is considered the birthplace of the U.S. towing business.
Steven Sedberry of Buddy’s Wrecker Service in Union City was one of five towing industry veterans selected as inductees.
The other honorees, whom hail from different regions of the country, are: William Byers of Rochester, Mich.; Betty Cornwell of Huntingtown, Md.; Dennis Harris of Greensboro, N.C.; and Patrick Winer of Rockdale, Ill.
Sedberry is president of the family-owned firm that started out as an Esso service station in 1963, until Sedberry convinced his dad to add a wrecker in 1975, spurring the birth of a 42-year-old towing and recovery company.
He was hooked on tow trucks at age eight, when he accompanied his dad John Morgan “Buddy” on a service call on a snowy day. “That was my first call,” Sedberry said.
After a stint at Nashville Auto-Diesel College, where he studied auto mechanics and which is known today as Lincoln Tech, Sedberry has been at the family firm ever since.
“That’s all I’ve ever done – worked on cars and done wrecker work, towing and recovery.” Buddy’s Wrecker Service has grown to include 13,000 square feet of office/shop space in two locations on three acres.
When he lost his dad in 2001, Sedberry said he lost three people: a father, a business partner and a best friend.
“When you work with someone for 40 years it’s like a marriage. It wasn’t all roses, but we pulled a lot of cable together. We played together, too.”
Despite his lifelong dedication to towing and recovery work, Sedberry never thought he’d enter the Hall of Fame.
“I can’t say it was forever on my bucket list. I never thought I would be able to reach that level,” said Sedberry, 62. “Obviously, somewhere I caught someone’s attention enough to nominate me. That in itself is neat, even if I didn’t get it.”
For over 30 years the Hall of Fame has inducted members of the towing and recovery profession who have distinguished themselves by substantial contributions and outstanding service to the industry.
“It makes me very proud that I can be a part of the process that gives the inductees the honor they deserve,” said Bill Gratzianna, president of the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum. “They’re not in the industry for the glory or notoriety. They’re doing it from the heart.”
Hall of Fame selection is based on product innovation, exemplary dedication, industry leadership and professional achievement. Nominations are now open for the Class of 2018.
Contact Steven Sedberry at s1sedberry@gmail.com or 731-885-5331.
PHOTO: Steve Sedberry (far right) of Buddy’s Wrecker Service Inc., Union City, Tenn., was inducted into the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame. “Somewhere I caught someone’s attention enough to nominate me.”
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