FIXTITLE Junior Richardson.docx
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE RIDE
The Story
Of
Jr Richardson
Since before he was able, this next Legend chooses trucking simply for the sport of it. Driving his truck between the lines on an open stretch of land has always been his passion. He wakes up daily with the desire to see where his next destination will lead him. Or who he is going to cross paths with that very day.
Everything was much simpler 30 to 40 years ago, when Eldy Richardson first began trucking. Especially for a teenage boy from a small cattle farm out of Missouri. His parents owned a couple of truck stops that he tended to frequent as often as he was allowed. Eldy, also known to many as Jr, has a collection of memories that remain as vivid as yesterday. He says, “I remember being a very young child sitting on top of a fuel pump next to my father wearing a little, blue sweater with my skinned up arms. I would sit there, watching these truck drivers drive around us in their big trucks and I would motion my arm up and down in the air. Within seconds we would get a horn blown in return.” Jr laughs as he takes me with him down memory lane. It’s amazing how a few seconds can be captured in our minds, held for decades and just thinking back to a specific moment, the glance back in time can still present us with a special feeling. The trucks, the drivers, his parents’ stores, the ambience of it all captivated Jr’s entire being.
Today Jr continues to truck, just as he had promised himself as a kid. Except these days he retreats to trucking as a form of therapy or even a diversion, depending on his level of pain on each given day. The peace and clarity Jr receives from traveling quiets the agony of the physical impairment gained throughout life.
When Jr was eight, his family relocated to a small town, exchanging the truck stops for a cattle farm. He was no stranger to the heavy equipment and did not shy away from operating any, despite the size. By five years old, he was learning how to rake hay with a tractor, then loading the hay and driving an International truck before ten. Jr stayed on with his family working the farm until he joined the United States Army.
At 17, Jr left for basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. After completing his AIT, he served in the 82nd Airborne Infantry Division for six years. He was immediately deployed to Asia, moving stations throughout the Philippines, Guam, Japan, Thailand and South Korea. During his service for our country Jr suffered two broken legs, initiating the beginning of his own personal battle. He continued to serve in the Reserves for another 14 years. However, his physical impairments continue to linger causing Jr to literally fight for the ability to walk on a normal basis.
Jr returned home to Missouri and immediately went back to where he had left off. Before enlisting in the military, Jr earned his chauffeur’s license at 16 and saved enough money to purchase a truck. It was a 1971 International Cabover Daycab. Between managing his chores on the farm early in the mornings and attending school, he found a way to earn his own keep. After his studies, he would drive over 100 miles to Kansas City and back hauling grain for some local businessmen. Arriving home by midnight, allowed him just enough rest before beating the sunrise for his daily housework and repeated routine.
Once home again at 24 years old, Jr jumped right into trucking hauling grain full-time. Two close friends that he had met as a teen had taken Jr under their wing. Between the two established drivers, they had over 80 years of experience in trucking. “Both of these men became my mentors and second fathers to me. They taught me a lot about the business and gave me plenty of advice. It wasn’t always what I wanted to hear, but exactly what I needed to hear,” Jr says. After two years, he switched to pulling produce and cattle throughout the Midwest region. Over the years, Jr has perfected his trade gaining over an unprecedented 5 million miles to his name. In 2000, he and his wife, Tina started their own cow hauling business called T&E Trucking, Inc. Within a few years, the couple had grown their company to 10 trucks. Now, downsized and running only his truck, Jr enjoys being able to work his schedule catered to his liking. With less stress, he is allowed to focus more on what is important to him and his main priorities: his family.
In the winter months he trucks more to the Midwest, then down in the southern Florida areas during the summer. His typical runs can be anywhere between ten to fourteen days at a time, but he is able to get by the house a few times in-between. About seven years ago, Jr suffered another devastating accident leaving his back broken in five areas, a broken collar bone, along with a number of broken ribs. He was told he may never walk again. Never fully recovering from his prior injuries sustained during his time in the service, made this rehabilitation that much more difficult. Tina traded places with her husband, and went out on the road to keep their business alive. All the while, rushing home every chance possible to help Jr overcome his injuries and get passed their set back. With the tender care of his loving wife and his determination to transform all of his hurt, trauma and sufferings to work in his favor, he was back behind the wheel trucking within 19 months.
Being a disabled truck driver does not define a man such as Eldy Richardson. Neither does the unexpected wounds endured during bravery. A man of honor comes in all forms, from many different walks of life, but a person’s testimony of how they perceived life when knocked down and their motivation to survive and willingness to share that truth to uplift another is pure greatness. Also, extremely rare.
Tina describes her husband as a very loving, funny and intelligent man. She credits his success and the longevity of their company to his knowledge of the trucking industry. “He is a driver, an owner operator and a broker. Jr knows all aspects of it. Not only has he provided for us by doing what he loves, but this profession that he does so well has improved our way of life,” Tina says. She continues, “I’m the most proud of him for his service to our country.” Aside from Tina and the business, he dedicates a lot of his time to their blended family. With three kids combined and four grandchildren, the two stay busy.
When I asked Jr ‘why trucking’ with his decorated military background and a Masters in Political Science, what is it about trucking that has kept him so loyal? His response was honest, “It’s all about the ride.” With his mind’s ability to flashback to his childhood days full of laughter and trucks, his memories overseas are just as raw. Along with his body not aligned with this mental strength, some days are a bit tougher to deal with. His true sanctuary is in his truck. The sound of his motor and wheels on the ground drown it all out. He tunes in to the positivity of getting away. He says, “Every person I meet, I try to make a good impression. I enjoy making people laugh. I make myself happy and in doing so, I make others happy around me. That’s what gets me through. Trucking opens those doors for me.” You can catch Jr on the road in his 1986 short hood Peterbilt. It features a 13-speed DOD 425 B-model Caterpillar engine, with a 322 wheelbase and 3.06 2 speed rears. If you would like to see him in action, he is in a video on bigrigvideos.com in the Richardson/Motley-Rolling CB Interview.