08/28/2026
❤️🚕 A Personal Tribute to Barbara Thomas — Fort Walton Car 50
There are some people who come into your business as employees or drivers, but somewhere along the way, they become something much more. Barbara Thomas was one of those people.
Long before and during her time with Justin’s Taxi, Barbara had already put in her share of miles in the Fort Walton Beach taxi business, including her years with American Cab. She knew this business — the good, the bad, the crazy, and the things that happened after midnight that you simply couldn’t make up if you tried. 😂
But to those of us at Justin’s Taxi, she had another name:
Fort Walton Car 50.
And Lord help you, when Car 50 got on that radio, sometimes you didn’t know whether you were about to get a trip update, some advice, a complaint, a story, or all four at the same time! 😂
What I will always treasure about Barbara, though, goes far beyond the taxi business.
She developed a special friendship with both the owner of American Cab and with me as the owner of Justin’s Taxi. Two different companies, two different owners, and plenty of competition over the years — but Barbara’s friendship wasn’t determined by what company name was on the door.
She cared about people.
As a young business owner building Justin’s Taxi, having people like Barbara around meant more to me than I probably realized at the time. She brought experience from years in the business, but she also brought friendship, laughter, stories, encouragement, and occasionally that look that told you, “Justin, you know better than that.” 😂
Barbara wasn’t just someone who drove for Justin’s Taxi.
She became part of our story.
When I think back over those years, I don’t primarily remember fares, dispatch calls, schedules, or numbers. I remember the people who helped turn a little taxi company into a family.
And I remember Car 50.
The taxi business has changed tremendously over the years. Companies have come and gone. Cars have been retired. Radios have gotten quieter. Life has carried all of us in different directions.
But there are certain voices, friendships and memories that time simply can’t erase.
Barbara, thank you for the miles.
Thank you for the laughs.
Thank you for your friendship with both sides of this crazy taxi world.
And thank you for being part of the history of Justin’s Taxi and, more importantly, part of my life.
No matter how many years pass, there will only ever be one…
🚕 FORT WALTON CAR 50 — BARBARA THOMAS. ❤️
And if heaven has a dispatch radio, somebody better tell them now:
Car 50 has probably already got something to say. 😂❤️
