A Legacy in Every Stitch

Silver Fox Upholstery and Restoration

Words special to 78 Magazine | Images by Ryan McGill

Upholstery work is Dewayne Luker's family legacy.

Growing up surrounded by the hum of sewing machines and the smell of fabric, Dewayne was immersed in the craft from an early age. His grandfather, Velmer, started the business in 1959 in Arizona, setting the foundation for what would eventually become Silver Fox Upholstery and Restoration.

The business moved to Alabama when Dewayne's father, Donald, took over. Dewayne fondly recalls his childhood memories of the shop, running underfoot as his grandfather and father worked side by side.

"I can remember being six or seven years old, running around in my grandpa's shop," he says. "I was just a little bitty thing running under their feet. I progressed to helping my dad over the years. He never really realized I was paying much attention until I started doing this, and he's like, 'How do you know?' I said, 'You showed me."

Dewayne absorbed his father's methods, including his dedication to simplicity and focus. "My dad kept everything simple. You do one thing, finish it, then you can bring in something else," he says. "He did not believe in scheduling stuff out or multitasking." After decades of watching, learning, and helping, Dewayne officially took over the business in 2018.

Before this, Dewayne had taken a different path, working in the water utility industry, with stints at Birmingham Water Works and later in Jasper treating drinking water. Yet, the pull of his family's trade was strong. He knew that if he were to take over, he'd bring his own flair to the business.

Dewayne renamed the shop "Silver Fox," blending respect for tradition with a new, unique vision. "I wanted a catchy name and a unique-looking building in the front," he explained. "I wanted it to look like an old country store, something that felt like home." The storefront's nostalgic appeal has struck a chord with customers, especially older folks who share his appreciation for the past.

However, one clear generational difference is Dewayne's approach to work. While his father focused on one project at a time, Dewayne embraces multitasking. "We've probably got ten to twelve projects going on right now, and it's pretty much always like that," he says.

Today, Silver Fox is known for its expertise in upholstering and restoring automobiles, boats, furniture, offices, businesses, all-terrain vehicles, and utility vehicles.

Three generations later, the Luker family's dedication to quality craftsmanship continues to thrive, with Dewayne's vision adding new chapters to their story. 78