We are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Jimmy’s Broadway Automotive Service. We are also honoring the memory of our founder, Jimmy McDowell, and the legacy of his work ethic. We would like to invite you to our party and share our story with you.
Jimmy was born James Emmett McDowell in Indianapolis Ind. in 1911. By the time of our country’s great depression, Jimmy had already begun his family. As with others at that time, he managed to keep his wife Cora and young family together with odd jobs. He also helped his siblings and mother as their main breadwinner.
As World War II broke out, Jimmy found himself working at a gas station/garage. The owner of the garage decided to close since all his employees were in the war effort. Jimmy struck a deal with him for the business and the equipment. With a growing family and no other choice, Jimmy, with hard work, built up the business. Because of his efforts, Marathon Oil Co. in 1950 built for him a modern new station. His perseverance had begun to pay off.
But by 1951, due to family health issues, Jimmy moved his wife, Cora and their 9 children from Indianapolis to Tucson. He made 39 round trips back to Tucson before selling his business in Indianapolis in 1955.
On Sunday, April 1st 1956, he opened Jimmy’s Service at 6th Street and Tucson Blvd. He often recalled that day. He sold $1.00 of gas to a car and .25 cents to a motor bike.
By 1957 Jimmy’s daughter, Claudia, had married her high school sweetheart, Larry Shinkel. In 1958 Larry went to work for Jimmy. In 1971, Jimmy’s family gave him a surprise 25th open house anniversary party at the station in his honor. One high point that day our customer, Dr. Herb Abrams, stopped by with the Surgeon General of the United States, C. Everett Koop, to sign Jimmy’s guest book.
In 1983, Jimmy retired and sold Jimmy’s Service to Larry. By December of 1984 Larry had expanded and purchased Cookey’s 76 Service at Broadway and Tucson Blvd. In 1990 he moved Jimmy’s to the Broadway location and later consolidated both. Larry retired in 1998.
Larry and Claudia’s two sons, Dave and Mike took ownership in 1998 as the third generation and incorporated their grandfather’s name in the business. Mike sold his interest in 2005 to Dave and his wife Phyllis. They have three children, David, Toni and Emmett (who was named after his great grandpa).
This all began in 1941 when Jimmy started his journey that has led us this far. Thanks to his guidance and example, he has taught us how to treat customers and maintain their loyalty, confidence and trust.
The last of Jimmy’s original customers recently passed away last year. Jimmy passed away in 1996. His wife, Cora, preceded him in 1987. Their union has grown to include over one hundred and seventy immediate family members.
We at Jimmy’s Broadway Automotive wish to thank each one of you, our customers for your loyalty and allowing us to share this story with you and to be part of your families over the past 50 years.
Cordially,
The McDowell & Shinkel Families
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