TTSA Loses a Long-Time Champion

Bryon Texas – Saturday February 2nd was a sad day for the immediate and extended Kalinec family as they lay to rest Frank Joseph (“Doc”) Kalinec. Doc died Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at the age of 76, he was the father, founder and spiritual leader of A-1 Towing and Recovery of Bryon, Texas.

Doc’s love of the towing industry led to his lifelong ambition of building the best towing company in Brazos County – A-1 Towing and Recovery. This dream began more than 50 years ago. He was a pioneer in the industry with his finger always on the pulse of new innovations. Through hard work, leadership and his sense of humor Doc was able to hire the right employees and created within his extended family, the ethics of good business, loyalty and team. Towing companies the sizes of A-1 don’t happen in small communities like Bryon and the neighboring town of College Station, home to Frank’s beloved Texas A&M “Aggies” , unless they are lead by a person of exceptional vision and fortitude. Doc Kalinec was such a man.

Doc invested his exceptional talent not only in A-1 but in the towing industry throughout Texas. He joined the fledgling State Towing Association, and gave much to its success over the years. For many years Doc served as a board member of the Texas Towing and Storage Association, where he made lifelong friends throughout the state and country. In 2005, he was awarded the prestigious Hall of Fame Award by the Texas Towing and Storage Association for his dedication and his many contributions and services the towing industry. His memory and contributions are honored by the hundreds of members and employees who are today part of the highly respected Texas Towing and Storage Association.

Doc was a man of simple pleasures but, above all he was a man of faith. His faith and his belief in the goodness of his fellow man made him the man he was. Doc had the biggest heart and unending compassion for life. He enjoyed every day to the fullest. No matter where he was or what he was doing, Doc always made time to visit with everyone and tell one of his stories. His family, friends, Aggie ball games brought him his most happiness.

Not every man gets to choose the method of conveyance in which he is transported to his last resting place. One can imagine a smile on Doc’s face as he rode high on the back of one of his beloved red wreckers, resplendent in a line dozens of other red and white wreckers and their drivers from all over the state who attended his memorial service.

Doc’s health had suffered of late, much of the daily operation of A-1 had fallen to Sue, his wife and life partner of 18 years. Doc’s life had seen much adversity, but he always bounced back. He was preceded in death by his first wife Ann; son, Paul “Bo” Kalinec; and daughters, Katherine Kalinec and Mary Ann Kalinec. Survivors include his wife, Sue; children, Carolyn Wolfe and husband, Nick, of Duncan, Okla., Jennifer Taylor of Columbus, Ohio, Jeff Taylor and wife, Carrie, of Bryan, Daniel Taylor and wife, Penny, of Tacoma, Wash.; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mary Agnes Miksch of Needville, Texas, and Margo Bertness and husband, Dennis, of Apple Valley, Minn.