Our Ride Rite Family

  • James & Molly Deaver

    In 2009, James and Molly made their way back to the close-knit community of Perkins County and launched Ride Rite Garage. The county's charm lies in its warm, community spirit, where everyone feels like family. James, with his knack for solving problems, delights in getting customers back on the road. Meanwhile, Molly manages the numbers but finds joy in the camaraderie of their team. For them, Ride Rite Garage isn’t just a business—it’s like their first child, nurtured and cherished together. When they’re not at the shop, you might catch them at the lively 4th of July Ride Rite Garage Car Show, engaged in church activities, or recuperating from chasing their three year old twins. (3 year old twins and a business- shouldn't there be an award for that?!)

  • Matthew Deaver

    Matt has called Grant home his entire life, while his wife, Jessica, hails from the neighboring town of Paxton. You might bump into Jess now and then, as she's part of the team at Perkins County Health Services. Matt and Jess's two little girls keep them on their toes, adding plenty of excitement to their lives! Matt, the most seasoned member of Ride Rite Garage, thrives on tackling new challenges—though after all these years, there aren't too many surprises left for him! In addition to his work at Ride Rite, Matt is a dedicated volunteer with Grant Volunteer Fire Department, serving as both an EMT and firefighter. Whether it's handling a tough repair or responding to an emergency, he's always ready to help his community in any way he can.

  • Mike Thraen

    Mike may not hail from Grant, but we don’t hold that against him. After all, he’s been a proud resident of Ogallala for 22 years—though that’s still second to the 23 incredible years he's spent devoted to his wife, April, and raising their two children. As one of our outstanding service advisors, Mike shines in building great customer relationships and thrives on the challenge of finding just the right parts for our skilled technicians. When he’s off the clock, Mike’s life is full of adventure. Whether he’s riding motorcycles with the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA), playing guitars, being at church, hunting, fishing, golfing, or pursuing one of his many other talents, Mike is always on the move, embracing life with passion.

  • Donald Merritt

    If you ever find yourself with a flat tire, Donny’s the one who’ll come to the rescue! He’s in charge of our tire truck and takes care of all the lube rack work. Donny and his lovely wife, Daniela, have made Grant their home since 2021. When he joined our team, we knew right away he was a perfect fit—luckily, the feeling seems to be mutual! In his spare time, Donny loves nothing more than being with his family, making the most of every moment together.

  • Casey Uehling

    Born and raised in Grant, Casey Uehling is proof that you don’t have to leave town to find your place—you just have to find the right set of tools. Casey has been working with our team since high school and continued throughout college, growing into the alignment expert we rely on today. He loves working on engines and suspension (basically anything that keeps your vehicle running straight and smooth). Outside of work, he’s most at home hunting, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors.