James H. Blakeley
Elected: March 24, 1986
Inducted: June 26, 1986
Born: July 14, 1928 – Mediapolis, IA
Married: Carolyn Ann Hester,
San Diego, California – 1951
Children: Steven Lee Blakeley (1952 – 1972)
Sharon Lynn Bischop-Edward Bischop, Lemon Grove – Nathan Steven
Sandra Louise Maxwell-Scott Maxwell, San Diego – Rachael Lauren & Bridgett Maryn
History: Fairfield IA Public Schools
U.S. Navy 1946-1971, Lieutenant Commander – retired
American Oil Company, Dealer 1971-1972
Chevron Oil Company, Dealer 1972 – 1976
Amer-Eka, Inc., President 1974 – present
Allied Gardens Towing, President 1974 – present
Towing: San Diego Towing Contractors Association – President 1978-1979
C.T.T.A. – Member of Board 1978-1981
T.R.A.A. – Founder & 1st President 1979
Awards: U.S. Presidential Unit Citation – Korea 1950
Certificate of Commendation – Admiral Hyman Rickover – 1966
U.S. Navy Award of Merit – 1971
C.T.T.A. Member of the Year – 1978
T.R.A.A. Distinguished Service Award – 1984
Who’s Who in California – 1985
Pioneer of Wheel-Lift Concept of Towing In the United States
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ITRHFM- HALL OF FAME NOMINATION FORM
HALL OF FAME NOMINEE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Tow Equipment/Product Innovation
Innovation of a product sold in the marketplace that has helped move the industry forward. Candidate must have a minimum of 10 years of service to the industry.
Exemplary Dedication
Candidate must have 20 years running a towing business in an outstanding and exemplary manner, promoting a positive image of the towing industry and have positive relations with the community, i.e., performing services for the community about and beyond the services for hire. Limit: One inductee per year.
Industry Leadership
Leadership involved with an outstanding project that has had a dynamic and lasting effect on the towing industry. Candidate must have minimum 10 years service to the towing industry.
Professional Achievement
Creating a product or service of any kind that has had a significant and lasting effect on thousands of towing professionals. Candidate Must have a minimum of 10 years to the industry.