ROBERTSDALE — Clyde Leroy Redd was a fixture along local highways for more than 20 years.

“He’d open up early, at 7:30 in the morning, so he could feed the truckers,” recalled his son, James Redd of Silverhill.

The elder Redd, 71, of Summerdale died Sunday, May 2 He was the owner and operator of Redd’s Hot Dog stand, on Highway 59 near the intersection of Highway 104 in Robertsdale. Redd was born in Greensboro and raised in Selma.

Survivors include his wife, Judith Redd of Summerdale; daughter, Virginia Mulready of Bay Minette; four sons, Clyde Redd Jr. of Fairborn, Ohio, William Redd of Bay Minette, James Redd of Silverhill and Christopher Redd of Summerdale; three sisters, Ann Brown and Glenda Lee, both of Robertsdale, and Doris Ham of Selma; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Robertsdale police officers, who wished to remain anonymous, recalled with chuckles having to clear the trucks that had lined up along Highway 59 to get a Redd’s hot dog. And then, some officers would get a dog for themselves.

While most truckers would pull in behind the simple stand, others would park along Highway 59, creating an occasional traffic hazard.

According to his family, the secret to Redd’s success as a hot dog vendor was the relish, a “generations old family recipe,” according to Christopher Redd. The recipe remains a family secret, but fresh vegetables from Redd’s wife Judith’s garden are an important part of the mix.

Redd began running that stand after retiring from his job as a boilermaker in Manchester, Conn.

“Dad worked for Colt Firearms and Good Humor, among other places,” recalled Christopher. One of his favorite memories of his father was going rabbit hunting.

Christopher has been managing the stand while his father was ill, and will continue to operate Redd’s.

“We’ll be open again on Friday,” said Christopher.

“All the kids at Robertsdale High and everybody (in Robertsdale ) knew my dad,” said James. ”He’d always say, ‘How you doing,’ to everyone. He was the most kindest man you’d ever meet.”

“Dad would always say how awesome his customers were,” said Christopher. “He absolutely loved them. They didn’t know it, but for 20 years, they took care of him.”