FIXTITLE Barry Crandall.docx

SOLEMN OATH

The Story

Of

Barry Crandall

This Legend’s article started with a simple dream and a promise. A vow made to himself, to fulfill his intention of one day becoming a truck driver. An ambitious pledge spoken as a child into existence many years later, developed into this man’s entire purpose. Professing an imagination as vivid as the sky, clear and full with endless possibilities, his only motive was to hold tight to his vision and the rest would fall into place. His commitment in standing by his word required persistence and a goal-oriented mindset. He then applied that same energy towards every aspect in life.

The level of devotion dedicated to his wife and family represents his character as a caring individual that understands the quality and importance of nurturing all that is imperative to happiness. From childhood, he knew that trucking was going to be a huge part of his life. Some way; somehow. He found a way to incorporate into that same dream the most important people in his life. In doing so, he has attained prosperity in all that he does.

The Threshold

Barry Crandall was born in western New York in 1963. He grew up in Mayville towards the north end of Chautauqua Lake, further into farm country. Mayville is known as the Steam Boat Village due to the history of the village, attracting tourist to the many vineyards, while also becoming a highly sought after destination. Many relax on the authentic paddle wheeler, Chautauqua Belle to enjoy a cruise. Among the wineries are museums and attractions, art galleries, and fresh farm markets with plenty for the whole family to enjoy, such as; outdoor concerts, sailboat races, harvest festivals, grapes stomping, even cemetery and ghost tours. Lots of fun activities that keep the number of visitors thriving.

Growing up, Barry’s father juggled several hats. He worked as a lineman, a mechanic, and during the winters he plowed the village streets. At six years old, Barry was riding with his dad on the plow trucks, slowly painting a picture of himself in his father’s shoes operating each giant piece of equipment while listening to classic country on eight track tapes. Among the singers were Lynn Anderson, Waylon Jennings, Roy Clark and Buck Owens. His mother served as the secretary of the county health department.

Nobody in the family could deny Barry’s fascination with trucks. On a trip home from Florida his parents handed Barry a camera with a roll of film in it. With it, the only photos he wanted were of multiple trucks parked at a truck stop. Their size and various colors, all of it mesmerized him.

“I remember my grandmother saying that I was the only grandkid that told her what I wanted to do when we were little and then actually doing what I said I was going to do,” Barry said. “All through life I kept saying, Yep, I am going to be a truck driver.” Seeing those trucks up close and parked, towering over the other vehicles only lured his curiosity, sealing his intuition that one day he was going to find himself driving one of his own.

His grandparents owned a large junk yard. It was initially 200 acres of farmland, but as the junk yard continued to grow the family took notice that the junking business was far more lucrative than farming. By the early 1960’s, they turned the farm over for good. As a young boy, having free rein in a junk yard Barry considered the entire area his personal playground. Many times, he would spend hours sitting in different cars and trucks with his tiny fingers wrapped around the steering wheel, imagining that he was driving to no particular place in mind; he was just cruising.

At one point, a car crusher was brought in to compact all the junk and vehicles to be recycled. The crusher was attached to a Brockway Cabover truck. In that truck, Barry traveled millions of miles. With a note pad by his side he kept up with his information by jotting down random places and the time he arrived at these important locations, to the time he left. He would blow his horn often and jam his gears up and down and side to side. Sitting in the driver’s seat, he would rest with his hands in place and his elbow propped out of the window. He was a natural, all before the age of ten. He recalls his mother telling him that he was nesting to be a truck driver. They all knew, even then.

The junk yard closed in the mid-70’s. That same area where he lived out his dreams now sits on 38 acres that he calls home. After his grandmother’s passing, he insisted that the land stay in the family. Wanting to preserve the special memories that came with the property, it was only right that it all stayed with him.

Right after high school, Barry joined the Army. He spent his 18th birthday in boot camp at Fort Dix located near Trenton, New Jersey. Next, he was sent to Killeen, Texas stationed at Fort Hood with the 1st Calvary Division. His passion for trucking never budged. Barry explains, “When I went in the military it was the same thing. I scored high on the ASVAB test and the recruiter told me that I have a pick of what I wanted to do. So, I told him that I wanted to be a truck driver. His jaw about hit the desk.”

Fire in the Belly

After his time in the service, Barry stayed in Texas another two years finding work within the transportation industry, whether it was working docks or running freight. When he received a call from his mother, concerning his grandparents down in Florida he uprooted and headed straight to them. His grandfather was having some health issues, and he was the nearest relative that could get there quick. While at a store, helping his grandmother run errands he noticed a man with five carts of groceries. He said, “Joking around, I asked the guy if he was hungry. He went on to tell me about working on this fishing boat down on the Intracoastal. It sounded interesting… he then told me that I should stop by, because a lot of guys were looking for help. So, I did.” For the following year and a half, Barry worked on commercial boats out at sea fifteen days at a time in search for sword fish and tuna fish. He continues, “When we returned, I would go over to the produce market either hanging out around the trucks or lumping. There was always something taking me back to trucks.”

June of 1986 on a visit home to New York, Barry and his father were out on the back porch enjoying each other’s company when Barry mentioned moving home permanently. His father entertained the thought by making an agreement that involved one dollar and a beer that he wouldn’t have any luck finding a local job to seal the deal. After two days and winning that bet, Barry started a job driving for a company hauling boxed beef from New York down the east coast.

Over the years, Barry has run over the road, regional, and local moving general products and refrigerated freight. He pulled containers out of the port in Baltimore for a few years and then upped his game to pulling tankers. One outfit involved hot oil for construction work and another was hydrochloric acids for the gas and oil fields. Consistent with his need to be trucking, the desire to challenge himself was a key principal too. He added to his resume seasonal work of driving an RGN lowboy, an over-sized road chipper, and a rubber wheeled roller while on the chipper crew.

Just hitting his stride, Barry was ready to put all that experience into his next project. Thumbing through a trucking magazine he came across a company specializing in pulling tankers. They offered a unique program to Owner Operators, providing drivers a platform to build their book of business from the seat of their very own dream truck. Barry researched the business known as, DB Kustom Trucks owned by brothers Dan and Dave Brown. He contacted Dan, in which he invited Barry out to the shop for a tour. The two spoke again, addressing any questions and concerns Barry threw at him. He made the drive to Antioch, Illinois and one of the first things Barry noticed when he arrived was the family-friendly atmosphere.

“I met with Dan and Dave, and they showed me around the shop. I was able to see all the trucks, but I was drawn to one. It was the Snowman Tribute Truck, inspired by the movie, Smokey and the Bandit. It is still my all-time favorite movie! At the time, Dan explained that it was under contract so we sort of moved on to the idea of doing a build specifically for me. We all went out for lunch, I wasn’t even involved in the program yet. But see, that’s it… it was lunch time and pizza Thursday. And they take their employees, even family members with them to eat if they’re there. That kind of comradery left a good impression with me. Later, my wife and I discussed our options, the changes in business that would take place, and where we saw things going. We both agreed to move forward, I made the call, and the Bandit truck was available! When Dan asked if I was still interested in it, I jumped on it.”

Barry recently celebrated his one year anniversary with the company. He is currently on a dedicated route out of Buffalo to Missouri, swinging by his house every two days. He explains, “That’s what is so great about working with this company, they have the loads and within six months you’re sure to find something that is a good fit for you. There are so many different avenues available to choose from. If you prefer long haul, or a run that can get you home frequently, or only local work, they will work with you as far as freight is concerned. Now the program itself is genius. The type of mentoring that Dan and Dave provide is priceless. Once you’re a part of the program, you become family. I know their kids and wives, and so forth. I’ve done a lease program before, but I’ve never had that ace in a hole that I could literally call on when I need help. Knowing that they are there is invaluable to me. Plus, they have been behind the wheel and they still run their own trucks. Ultimately, they encourage you to succeed! All of that has helped me get to where I’m at now. In fact, I just purchased another truck. I’d like to maybe have a fleet of three to five trucks in the future.”

Another individual that he praises for his success is a gentleman he met during his time in the Army, Sergeant First Class Bill Estabrook. From him, Barry’s determination was reinforced with grit and fortitude. “He taught me that we must do our jobs no matter what conditions we face; day or night; rain or sleet. Too many people rely on us,” Barry said.

Brass Tacks

Barry is proof that if you stay the course, any goal is attainable. The journey in the middle is the ride on the way there; enjoy it. It may get bumpy, but you can’t lose focus. One of his biggest challenges has been learning the art of patience. In his line of business, a person’s willingness to remain calm is tested daily. Frustration brought on by other drivers, traffic, or ordinary occurrences out of our control can easily trigger distress. Barry’s refuge has been in the power of calling for guidance. “I call on the Lord quite frequently. I tend to let things bother me, but I had to teach myself not to take things personally. Since I gave my life to Christ, it’s been a total turn around for me. It’s all a process, but the more I display patience, the more I see things more clearly. My family has noticed a difference in me too. That alone shows that something is happening,” he said.

Barry is a military veteran with a professional trucking career extending over 32 years and 3 million lifetime miles. He and his wife have been married 25 years, together for an additional 5 years. They have two sons and two grandsons. His one request, if we should take anything away from his testimony is that we recognize the effort throughout the many years of non-stop diligence, achieving any dream can be made a reality. “I’ve been told all my life that I’m very persistent. I don’t give up! When I want something, I don’t stop until I have accomplished whatever it is that I have my mind set on. It’s that determination and persistence that makes it hard for me to shut down. I take on everything as a challenge. I still consider myself a jolly person. I love to laugh, but when it’s time to work I’m 100% driven. I also take every opportunity that I’m given to help others. Anytime I see a situation where I can step in and help, I’m on it. I’m just that way.” Maybe if every person in passing shared that need to help a stranger, this world would be a better place. He adds, in order to obtain anything great you must face the facts: put in the time, apply yourself, and overcome the struggles. The essentials to every success story.

I asked Barry if he had any secrets or tips on maintaining a happy household at home with such a demanding work schedule. Trucking, as a lifestyle is difficult to balance. Add in other factors, the strains of any relationship can turn complicated. But as mentioned, Barry expects to be held at a certain standard.

When he is home, that is his time with his family. He says, “I treated every time I came home like I haven’t seen them in years. I always put that in my head, it’s important to have that urgency. I also reminded myself that because I’m not with them every day, they were struggling too without me. So, when I got home it was all about them. The first night I would take them out to dinner. Their mom had been cooking every night, she needed a break. Next, the boys would take turns picking where to eat and what they want to do together. That’s how I made up for being gone, by spending every minute I could with them. Being a truck driver, my family has never had to go without, except for their time away from me. It weighed very heavy on me when they were growing up, but we made it work. They’re my everything, so I treated them like that.”

Now that Barry is living out his childhood dream, his last wish and solemn oath is what any loving husband, father, and grandfather wishes; to leave his family better off than they were the day before. To try and remove as much worry from their future as possible. I wouldn’t expect anything short of his promise.

Snowman Tribute Truck

2004 Kenworth W900L

Engine: Caterpillar 6NZ

18-speed/3.36 Rears

60IN Mid Roof Sleeper

Custom American Eagle Bumper/Drop Visor/Air-ride Front End

7IN Straight Pipes

Full Chrome Custom Interior/Custom Mural

Old School Winged Window Doors

…and a stuffed Fred that came with the Snowman Tribute Truck