RDH Tire co-founder Homer Huskins dies

Photo courtesy of Summersett Funeral Home Inc.
Homer Huskins

By William Schertz, Tire Business staff

SALISBURY, N.C. (July 24, 2015) — Homer Huskins, a founding partner of OTR tire retreading firm RDH Tire & Retread Co., died July 22 at age 85.

Mr. Huskins, born June 5, 1930, in McDowell County, N.C., spent much of his career as an employee with Brad Ragan Inc. — known as Carolina Tire Co. until it went public in 1970 — handling operations at the firm's retreading plant in Salisbury, according to his partner Brad Ragan Jr.

Mr. Ragan told Tire Business he spent many years working under Mr. Huskins at his father's company, going back to when he was only 14 years old.

“He basically was almost my father,” Mr. Ragan said. “I worked for him, and at that time I didn't see a lot of my dad. I was basically reared by company employees, one of them being Homer.”

Goodyear acquired controlling interest in the dealership in 1985, and Messrs. Huskins and Ragan, along with Don Dodson, launched RDH Tire in Cleveland, N.C., in 1987.

Mr. Ragan called Mr. Huskins an icon and pioneer in the tire industry, adding that he was integral to the development of OTR tire service trucks and tire changing equipment.

“He absolutely loved and enjoyed the tire business — especially the big tires — as much as anybody you'll ever find,” he said. “He was a hell of a guy; that's all there is to it.

“He worked hard and treated his friends well. He was very well thought of in the industry.”

Prior to his career in the tire industry, Mr. Huskins graduated from Berea College in Kentucky and served in the U.S. Army. He also was a charter member of the Neel Road Baptist Church, where he was a deacon.

Mr. Huskins was preceded in death by his wife Beulah Huskins, whom he married Feb. 9, 1952. She died June 3, 2009.

He is survived by his daughters Nancy Huskins-Leonard (William) and Debi Huskins; grandchildren William Leonard IV (Hope), Carrie Smithey (Zach), Matthew Leonard (Caila) and Christopher Leonard; and great-grandchildren William Leonard V and Carolina Leonard.

Visitation is being held Sunday, July 26 from 6-8 p.m. at Summersett Funeral Home in Salisbury. A funeral service will take place Monday, July 27 at 12:30 p.m. at Neel Road Baptist Church, with burial to follow at Salisbury National Cemetery with military honors by the Rowan County honor guard.

Memorials can be sent to the Neel Road Baptist Church building fund at 135 Neel Road, Salisbury, N.C. 28147. Condolences can be submitted online at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

 

Most Popular
1
ATD takes next step in bankruptcy protection process
2
Former General, Parrish Tire exec Mike Vargo dies
3
Sumitomo eyeing future production in North America
4
Tire Business ranks the Top 75 tire makers of 2024
5
Goodyear, Michelin, Pomp's awarded defense contracts
SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
Letter
to the
Editor

Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].