History

Meet Gary Peaden, owner and operator of Peaden Marine Canvas & Upholstery. He and his wife, Sherry—both born and raised in Pensacola, Florida—married after high school before eventually settling in Alabama to raise their six children. Growing up on Pensacola's Bayou Texar, Gary developed a deep love for boating and water sports, which later evolved into a passion for sailing and restoring sailboats. While his expertise spans across all aspects of boat repair, he finds the greatest satisfaction in marine canvas fabrication and upholstery. 

Their son, Robert Peaden, developed an early interest in the business, assisting Gary before and after the inception of Peaden Marine Canvas & Upholstery. After graduating from Auburn University, Robert officially joined  full-time in 2014 and now serves as the company's dedicated Operations Manager.
As the head craftsman behind Peaden Marine Canvas & Upholstery's custom products, Robert brings a keen eye for detail, expert craftsmanship, as well as a strong drive for innovation and complete customer satisfaction. His commitment and passion for excellence ensures that every customer receives exceptional quality and service.

Today, Gary and Sherry reside in the Josephine, AL community, where they continue to grow their business together while enjoying the scenic Florida and Alabama coastlines with family. Gary and Sherry will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in August, 2025. 

Robert and his wife, Richelle, married in 2016 and live nearby in Elberta, AL with their two children. Outside of work, Robert enjoys spending time with his growing family and designing and building custom woodworking projects. Both Gary and Robert also share a lifelong passion for classic car restoration, having completed many restorations over the years. Today, they still enjoy working on these projects together.

Gary at the helm of his family's Catalina 34' sailboat

The Peaden Family relaxing at their favorite anchorage...Ft. McRee in Pensacola, FL