FIXTITLE David Allen.docx

UNDAUNTED

The Story

Of

David Allen

Every day is an opportunity for a fresh start. This next Legend knows that all too well. He is living proof that new beginnings are possible. His bumpy road entails multiple cases of sadness from the loss of loved ones, leaps of change only a few of us would be brave enough to pursue, and an unexpected love story that gives us all hope that our prayers are heard and never go unanswered. It is said that in our most darkest, uncertain, and broken times is when we learn who we really are and what we are capable of. Through our struggle, brings growth. Some days may seem unbearable, but courage is developed under pressure.

Life is nowhere near easy. I’ve been told that it is better to stumble along the way than to give up completely. Against the odds, David Allen from Heber Springs, Arkansas has overcome his toughest times of intense trials. He turned those obstacles, his sadness and pain into stepping stones. I believe that God uses our trying times to forge our character into what He intends. ‘The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears.’ –the brilliant poet, John Vance Cheney.

After I spoke with David, I sat at my desk taken aback for a moment. Each person that I interview naturally leaves me with an impression and in sort of a way, with an impact. For once, I’m speechless. His entire testimony embodies purity. On a level that is almost indescribable and beyond words. This is the type of piece that I wish had an audible option so that I could read you this article myself. Mainly so I could express how amazing this man is and how incredible of a life he has overcome. I also called his wife, Sherry. Even though the two are near their ten year wedding anniversary, she gushes about David with such praise as if they’re still newlyweds. And not the sappy, lovey-dovey mush, but the sincere, honest compelling words of a grateful wife that cherishes her husband. Not just for being the man in her life. Instead, simply because she too understands where he has come from and what he has been through. Witnessing his strength despite his past, knowing his happiness is a choice that many would push away had they been in his shoes. To be a part of his world, filled with so much faith is empowering. He has allowed us a window into his life and only asks in return to find the positive. Just as he has.

‘Count your life with smiles, not the tears that roll.’

David Allen resides in Arkansas, but has a dual citizenship in his home country of Tasmania. An island state of Australia. Yes! I’m talking about the full-blown, legendary Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter accent and all. David’s nickname is actually Kangaroo Cowboy! He grew up on a farm, the youngest of six children. His family lived on the countryside, with beautiful rolling hills that ran down into the ocean. Both parents managed the farm producing potatoes and hay, while also tending to cattle. David recalls, “I remember as a kid having to get up early in the mornings, milk the cows then go to school and when I got home, I’d have to milk them again. Every day.” At the age of eight, his family moved into town, but they still worked the farm on the weekends for the family that took over. His father landed a position as a foreman at a local paper mill, while his mother stayed home. Within the following year, David’s father passed away. The majority of his siblings were much older and moved out, leaving him as one of the only kids left at home to help provide for his mother. She was a fine cook and occasionally sold baked goods for extra money. David took it upon himself to get a job, to help his mother financially. Younger and able, David felt it was his duty, as well as the right thing to do.

By nine years old, David ran a paper route around the neighborhood and sold additional copies on Saturday nights. At 14, he added a third job after school packing groceries at a nearby store. At the time, he spent almost every waking hour either at school or working. “All of my family worked. Even my mom did what she could. Since I was young, it’s just what we did. We weren’t rich, but we were hard workers,” David says.

At 16, tragedy struck again and David lost his mother. He had only six months left of the remaining school year. He went to live near his second to oldest sister in Queensland and later graduated high school there. Out on his own in an apartment at 16, he found a job at a super market until he was old enough to get his operator license (CDL). On his 18th birthday, he did as planned with his license and headed straight to a small trucking company that he found through a newspaper. He started out making local deliveries. Over time his routes expanded into country runs and eventually he began doing some interstate runs. After five years of experience, David switched companies to run interstate only.

Ready to settle down David met someone and bought a farm in Melbourne, Australia. With farming as his first trade, it came natural for him. Never coming completely off the road, he made time to tend to his cattle, sheep, and horses. He also became a fan of rodeo; a competitive sport that appealed to his cowboy identity. It wasn’t long until he was competing for a number of years. After a period of time, things began to shake up and David was in desperate need of a change. A friend had mentioned to him a company that was in search of professional truck drivers wanting to drive in America. He says, “I went for a walk about and it hit me! This is my chance to get away from everything, see the country AND drive a truck. So I did it.”

Eager to broaden his horizons and see what was in store for him outside of Australia, David came to the U.S. September of 1995 and immediately found work in Little Rock, Arkansas. An absolute stranger to everyone around him, surrounded by unfamiliar territory, David was more than ready to start a new chapter in his life. The firm he signed a contract with to work in the states was for a twelve month term. Within that first year, working OTR he traveled almost all 48 states. He returned the next year and switched to pulling reefer. In 1997, on his third time around he got married. He was finally happy and content again. Unfortunately though his life was struck again. His wife was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away in 2005.

Here is where David and Sherry’s unique timelines collide, bringing them together. Sherry has had her share of unsuccessful relationships. She was on the brink of losing all hope in ever finding real love. She had three children and prides herself in being a good mother. The only thing missing was a great husband to raise her family with in a healthy and loving environment. That’s all she had found herself praying for, fervently. She even prayed in detail: for a good and honest man, with Christian values and an accent like the man on the Crocodile Dundee movie. She knew that she wouldn’t be able to go to Australia to find her Mr. Right, so she told Him that He would have to bring him to her…

In April 2006, David was in no way searching for his next relationship. He had purchased a truck and was in the process of starting his own business. He was adjusting and still trying to pay off all of his wife’s medical bills. One night he had agreed to make a run for a broker. It was the only time he had done any business with him before. He loaded out of Houston for Arkansas. David continues, “He told me that the company needed the shipment straight through. That they were about to run out of that product. I doubted that was true, but did as requested. When I arrived, I knocked on the door and Sherry opened it.” Sherry was working that night, pulling orders when she heard the knock. When she answered it and first saw David, then heard him speak she knew. As soon as she could, she rushed over to her friend and said, ‘My husband is at the door!’ He says as he laughs, “At the end of unloading we exchanged numbers. It was a bit awkward at first, but I called her the next night. We went a month and a half of just us talking before we went out. Then we were married!” The two tied the knot seven months later.

When I spoke with Sherry about her husband, her tone was just as humble as his. She says, “He loves the Lord and he loves his family. After all that he has been through in life; living on his own since he was 16, working so hard his entire life, everything –he never strayed away from his good morals and values. He is very honest. You don’t find that a lot. He grew up on a farm, back when there were no contracts to sign and stuff like that. Instead, David will shake your hand. He is old-fashioned like that. He strongly believes a man is only as good as his word. I tell him all of the time that he changed my whole life. He just laughs and says the same to me. I had prayed for him and when we met my tears were all gone. My mother is sick, but if she needs anything she calls David to fix it. Of course, he’d do anything for the next person too…”

Also in 2006, David joined a program known as Trucker Buddy International. It’s a nonprofit organization founded in 1992, designed to help educate children by connecting them with professional truck drivers from around the world. Together they form a positive pen pal relationship while also improving the kids’ reading, writing, geography, mathematics and history skills. Trucker Buddy helps make learning fun for children. David teamed up with a friend and found a way to raise money for the organization. With his rodeo background he made a way for truckers to get involved with the program as well.

David challenged his friend to a bull riding competition at Gilley’s located in Dallas, Texas. Whoever stayed on their bull the longest, as the speed dial went up was declared the winner. David won the first year. His friend beat him the next year. With radio promotions and word of mouth, the contest brought in quite a crowd. After the first couple of years, David sold his truck and went back to driving as a company driver. The truck demands on maintenance as an owner operator were less of a hassle, but with that his open schedule was gone too. He had passed the reign of the Rodeo Challenge at Gilley’s down to another friend and trucker buddy, Dusty Chrome. “Dusty took over organizing it and has done a fantastic job getting sponsors and keeping it going. Next year will be 10 years already,” David said. “That’s amazing! What started as a small idea has turned out great and lets everyone get involved.”

In June 2014, David began driving as an owner operator again. He bought a 2001 Freightliner and leased on with a buddy that was starting his own trucking company. This past June, he traded his Freightliner for a 2004 Kenworth W900L and joined the team at Direct Transport Solutions, Inc. (DTS) based out of Little Rock, Arkansas. “I’m extremely happy where I’m at. DTS offers their own freight and the people are great,” he says. “Plus they have me home every weekend.” Driving his pride and joy, Cowboy Cadillac has a special meaning to the design on the side. Southern Cross Trucking features the colors red, white and blue –the same colors as our flag and Australia’s flag. The stars represent the star formation seen above Australia, called the Southern Cross.

After 35 years of trucking and close to 4 million safe miles, David has one more idea to check off of his to-do list. When the time comes to come off the road, he would like to set up a truck stop trailer and make himself available to other drivers that may need help. In the similar direction of a Chaplain Joe’s truck stop chapel service, David simply wants to be able to make a difference in someone’s life. Men and women, truckers or non-truckers, just individuals seeking guidance. Maybe there is someone that needs a few words of encouragement. He wants people to know that others have been where they are and that they are not alone in their journey.

If there is an individual that can reach a person that is in need, David has the credentials. To me his heart is not only preserved, but undaunted. He has lived his life unafraid and brave. And my favorite, never discouraged. I know that one day, we will find him spreading his faith of happiness with strangers… until then, I wish him many happy days with Sherry, their 3 kids and 7 grandchildren.