In order to get this chapter right, I need to begin by saying that I have been delivering and picking up at Voss Clark since 2007. From 2009 through the very end of my career, I was in there almost daily. Over time, I became very close to everyone in the shipping department. No matter which shift I picked up or delivered on, they knew who I was — and I knew them.
The first traffic manager I met was Matt Lozier. Matt was the one who helped orchestrate my dedicated run to Toyota in Georgetown. I owe him more thank-yous and words of appreciation than I could ever put on paper.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without Doug Voss, who runs the entire operation. Doug created an environment for both employees and drivers that truly resembled a working family. Then there was Warrick Clayborn(Shorty) — skilled in just about every job there as far as I know. After Matt was promoted into sales, Warrick (Shorty) stepped into the role of traffic manager.
Next came John Marlin. I met John back when he was a crane operator on the evening shift, but he quickly moved into the traffic manager position — and excelled at it. Trained by Shorty, John learned the ropes quickly, and anytime I had to turn a load back for whatever reason, he never held it against me. To be honest, I owe a lot to John and to Voss Clark as a whole.
And then there were the many others who made my time there so meaningful:
Courtney, the bright, smiling young lady who checked us in, always kind even in short conversations.
James, who inspected the coils after they were loaded. Always in good spirits, we had countless conversations about everything from the weather to his home remodeling projects.
Phil Caster, one of a kind, who kept drivers on their toes with his endless practical jokes.
Kevin, the reliable “fill-in” guy who covered where needed, and always had time for a friendly word.
Brian, the night shipping supervisor, who deserves my deepest thanks. Whenever I was running out of hours, all I had to do was call and Brian would say, “We’ll be ready for you when you get here.” No other shipper ever helped me like that.
Todd, always a friend, who showed genuine care for me and my wife when she went through her kidney transplant, having lost his own wife to kidney disease.
And finally, Rob and Chris, two crane operators who always did a top-notch job.
Back in 2022, when my Volvo needed an inframe overhaul, I was out of service for nine weeks. Every day I worried that my dedicated run out of Voss Clark was in jeopardy. I called Joanie my dispatcher at Steel Transport, weekly to find out the situation as far as Voss Clark was concerned.
Joanie told me over and over that Voss Clark emphasized to her that I had nothing to worry about, and when my truck and I were ready, the loads would be there for me. This is a perfect example of a work family. This was not the only time I had equipment issues. A total of 4 times in the last 4 years, my equipment failures caused me to lose work. Even when things got slow, Voss Clark always found something for me to do. Very seldom was I sent home due to no loads available, and for that, I am forever grateful.
At Voss Clark, it never felt like I was just another driver — it felt like I was part of the family. I will never forget the awesome treatment I got from this company.
Then there was the Toyota Tsusho team in Georgetown, where I delivered almost daily for over four years. At the check-in gate, Sherry and Rick were always there with a smile. In Building 2, I remember Ben, Logan, Jason, Austin, Gary, Ronnie, and many others whose names escape me now. In Building 1, I worked with Daryl, Austin, Matt, and more — all of them good people who made my job easier and my days brighter.
I also have to mention my fellow drivers whose friendship and support kept me going: Ernie Lipperd, my best friend for 23 years, along with Dana Moore, Jonah Young, Mike Dearing, and Clyde Stiltner. I hope those friendships continue for the rest of my life.
God truly does amazing things. He put the right people in my path at exactly the right times. Looking back, I honestly cannot believe I survived 47 years in this career — but it was all worth it. It was never just about the freight. It was about the people, the friendships, the faith, and the shared miles.
This is my final mile, and this chapter is my way of saying thank you. To Voss Clark, to Toyota, to my friends, and most of all to God — I owe you more than words can say. It has been an incredible ride.
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And so, with gratitude in my heart and tears in my eyes, I close this book on my 47-year trucking career. My journey has ended, but the memories, friendships, and lessons will live on forever.
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My Trucker Life 