Ron Smith. Friend, Mentor, All Around Good Guy

This is Ron. In our hometown, he is the guy that can repair the otherwise unrepairable. Welding exotic metals, machining, fabrication, machine design, construction...he has done it all and continues to work on projects well into his 80's. 

Recently, Ron completed a personal, multi-year project of re-powering an airplane with a Chevy V-8. The fit and finish looked factory made. Ron lived less than 2 miles from our childhood home growing up, in a house that he custom built himself. Many people that personally know Tim and I (Tyler), know that we do not come from a family of metal fabricators. Undoubtedly, our parents and grandparents instilled in us a hard work ethic and encouraged us from a very young age to find ways to earn our own money. From mowing lawns, to baling hay, to shoveling manure, we always looked for ways to earn a buck.

For whatever reason, anything with a motor seemed to capture our attention. Having limited funds, we were always searching for deals. Garage sales, estate sales, etc. were great sources to find someone else's unwanted, and often non-running toy that we were intent on fixing up for our enjoyment. Minibikes and dirt bikes were our favorites. We bought, fixed, rode, and slowly "traded up" to bigger and better machines over time. Undoubtedly, we would break something or find a problem that we didn't have the equipment to fix. 

This led us to Ron. Ron became one of our biggest mentors when it came to metal fabrication. From the first time we stepped foot in his shop as teenagers over 20 years ago, he recognized the interest we had and took the time to show us how to make the repair. We were like sponges trying to soak up any bit of advice he threw our way. Throughout the years, he has watched our business grow and has always stayed in touch. Recently he visited our new facility to check it out.

We are very thankful for the friendship we have with this man and the impact that he made on us during such an impressionable time in our lives. With the new year upon us, a good resolution might be to "be like Ron" and take the time to help a kid learn something new. Happy New Year from all of us at TC Bros! -Tyler