FIXTITLE Celvin Jones.docx

A FAMILY’S LEGACY

The Story

Of

Celvin Jones

People learn by modeling behavior exposed to them, from years before they reach adolescence and throughout their adulthood. As children develop they pick up or even mimic patterns studied (some involuntarily) through interaction. The importance of surrounding yourself with positive role models can never begin early enough. With that said, parenting skills may vary, but raising a child to become a stable adult; emotionally, mentally, socially, or spiritually, however the values are placed in order is, or definitely should be any parent’s main purpose.

We all know how powerful a mother’s love can be. With unconditional encouragement and support a person can endure and overcome hardship, a broken heart, even times when you feel as if you have reached rock bottom. Somehow mothers always have the right words, at the right time that seem to make everything pause long enough for you to grab your bearings. You can find courage in her words alone, because you’ve witnessed that same strength in her.

Now a father’s role is just as, if not more imperative than a mother. It is stated that girls look for similar characteristics in relationships as an adult. Indicating a need of familiarity from an established behavioral pattern, more than likely observed from childhood. It is also a known fact that boys tend to model themselves after their fathers. These two vital roles are not limited to only biological parents, but any parental figure that plays an important role in a child’s development through involvement is a crucial factor. Young boys view their fathers as a mentor and teacher, often admired as an expert. Which explains why many boys constantly seek their father’s approval well into their adult life. A boy can quickly recognize a father’s success by studying his demeanor and a girl can acknowledge a mother’s poise exuded through confidence and grace.

Children are little sponges with the potential to change the world, one generation at a time. This Legend comes from a long history of strong family values built on years of dedication to one another and lots of hard work. He is the sixth of nine children in a household taught to earn respect, to stand by your word, and to never give up.

Celvin Jones was born in Nashville, Tennessee. His mother cleaned commercial buildings and residential homes, while his father drove a truck for a living and ran heavy equipment on the side. His large family resided outside of town on a farm. It was Celvin’s father that impacted his entire way of thinking. At just six years old, Celvin was drawn to his dad’s sense of pride. Celvin knew that his family wasn’t the wealthiest people, but the way his father performed each job and how he portrayed himself as a provider for their family, gave Celvin a sense of belonging that was more than enough. The way his father presented himself professionally and always made time for others is exactly how Celvin wanted to be. Celvin’s dad was a kind man, a loving husband, and a patient father. Everything that Celvin demonstrates now to his three sons and their children, as well. Unaware of the domino effect, these men have had on their entire family, their legacies will carry on through generations to come.

Celvin’s father drove a truck for 35 years, and he is following in close behind him with 33 years of experience on his own. Growing up around trucks all of his life some of his earliest memories date back to summers out of school, riding with his dad on road trips making deliveries. He says, “We were always taking turns going with dad somewhere. At the time, he didn’t have a sleeper so we had to go one at a time. I remember on one of my trips I had to be around six or seven years old, we brought a load of watermelons back from Florida. It was all so fascinating to me! Being able to travel so far from home in such a huge vehicle, passing everything by… it was the coolest feeling. When I didn’t get to go, my brothers and I would get on our bikes out on the farm and pretend they were big trucks. When my father was home and had a truck in the back working on it, I would sit in the driver’s seat and pretend that I was driving it. In my heart, even at that age I knew that someday I was going to be driving a truck, just like my dad.”

All of the kids had their share of chores on the farm. With his father away on the road, Celvin helped his older brothers tend to the land. By the time Celvin was nine, he was operating farm tractors and many pieces of equipment. Depending on the season, he was either plowing the crops or preparing to harvest. At 12 years old he was driving the family farm truck, hauling hay. That old Chevrolet 1-ton flatbed sealed the deal for Celvin. The farm life and all of the duties that came with the territory is where his heart still lay today. If he weren’t trucking today, he claims farming and running heavy equipment is what he would be pursuing; just as his father had before him.

“Trucking has given me a sense of business. In my profession I am able to take care of other people. We are moving products where people need it for their everyday lives. One of the best days that could have happened to me was the day my father put me in a truck, back in 1983. Since I was young enough to remember, he was always explaining the value of a hard earned dollar and that nobody can take that pride away from you, but it must be earned. Anything that you want in life had to be earned. I tried to instill those same ethics into my sons. I wanted them to know early on like I did, that hard work goes a long way.”

Another significant element to obtaining a successful career that Celvin insists on is setting a goal, then seeing it through. “The day we bought my first truck, I was tickled to death. I was so proud, because I had finally reached my goal. I knew early on that my goal was to become an owner operator, like my father. We’ve had our struggles within the business, but we stuck with it. So after ten years of pushing through, in 2006 I was able to purchase my truck. There’s just something about starting your own business from the ground up. The whole time you’re putting in long hours and extra work, trying to make your family proud, determined to make your goal a reality and then you do… it’s a big deal. It was then when I completely understood why my father was such a proud and honorable man. I always knew he was, but now I can feel how he felt. He was humble and happy with what he had accomplished, and wanted me to achieve that sense of dignity too. Now hopefully I can pass that down to my family, along with my business and they can pass it on to theirs.” Celvin established Rockin’ J Trucking in 2006, with his first truck; a 1999 Freightliner.

A family legacy that started with the loyalty of one man and his commitment to an industry continues on to the third generation, Celvin’s son Brian. Celvin holds on to the hope that more of his family will embrace the beauty of his profession. The opportunity to see the country, the changing of the seasons and experience the different cultures of our people all come with the job. But knowing that their family name has earned the respect it deserves within the trucking industry for almost 70 years, plus the many years that lay await is a victory in itself.

However, there was a point in Celvin’s trucking career when business slowed down and he had to consider other options. The economy went for a nose dive and freight was barren. His truck is stretched in order to haul 60 ft. and 70 ft. steel beams. At the time, it was hard to get freight even being leased to a trucking company. He knew his priority was to take care of home, his wife Lyn and their sons encouraged him to buckle down and weather the storm. “No matter how much I love my truck; my family comes first. So when everything seemed like it came to a halt, I knew I still had a family to feed. The thing is, because we made it through our toughest times together we know that we have each other’s back no matter what the problem is. Over the years we’ve been through a lot, but we have stuck together, worked hard, and with prayers we always seem to pull through. Those three things are what got us to where we are today. If you just focus on what is important: God, family, our country and business, by keeping a positive mindset and applying these three main things to whatever it is that you hold valuable to your heart, then you’re sure to figure life out. It’s all about concentrating on what you want out of life and putting all of your effort into achieving it, without compromising who you are.”

Celvin states that he travels the same roads and highways repeatedly, earning himself well-over 6 million safe miles and yet he continues to see something different every trip out. He currently runs the mid-west region, returning home for the weekends in his 1989 FLD Freightliner. Being raised in the business, he was in the passenger seat of a truck back when truck drivers would often stop and help one another on the side of the road. It’s a sight seldom seen in today’s world, but Celvin never passes up the opportunity to help his fellow drivers when needed. Call it a thing of the past, but chivalry is not all lost. Friendly in nature, Celvin hardly meets a stranger. It’s nothing for him to lend a hand at truck stops or in parking lots when he notices someone working on their vehicle.

Aside from the perks of being a paid tourist, Celvin says that there are many times that working away from home made things extremely difficult. As a father and husband, leaving his family for days at a time in order to provide a good life for them had its ups and downs. Celvin explains, “To make this type of lifestyle work and succeed at it, you have to enjoy it. If you don’t love what you do, it becomes more of a burden and it’s always easier to walk away from a problem. So you have to find the joy in it and really appreciate trucking. Then, you have to be willing to put in the hours away from everyone you love the most. You have to be willing to miss holidays and celebrating birthdays together. A lot of important days will go on without you and you have to accept that. Add those struggles to the job and your world of stress is at a whole different level, but it’s the support of your loved ones at home and your passion for what you do that keeps the wheels rolling. I think every veteran truck driver that is still running like I am has to have that same support system and attitude. Otherwise, what are we doing this for? We get in our trucks and basically do our duties as truck drivers for the benefit and well-being of our nation. And being the old school driver that I was raised to be, I’m very proud to do it!”

Lyn agrees with Celvin’s statement, siding that because of his love for trucking and old school values he sets the example for other drivers and their sons, proving that success is measured by the amount of happiness found in the hearts of the people closest to you. She said, “We didn’t get rich in this business, but we’ve always been able to help our kids when they needed it. Trucking has provided us that luxury. Celvin has done this for so long, he can back a trailer up on a dime. That goes to show how comfortable he is at his job and why he’s so good at it. He loves it!”

The freedom of the road keeps Celvin returning week after week. He says that even though his work history should validate his knowledge of the industry, he mentions that he still continues learning every day. Stating, you can’t grow if you ignore your chance to flourish. Wise words to live by…