FROM DAY ONE - Cody Winkler

FROM DAY ONE

Legend Nominee: Cody Winkler

This Legend story illustrates how the passion for trucking served as an anchor, steadily holding together a bond shared between three generations of men. Raised in Selma, Texas on 30 acres of land, Cody Winkler grew up spending much of his time at the family farm. Known as, the 7W Ranch; located in Marion (less than fifteen miles away) Cody learned the ropes of farming: running equipment, bailing hay, feeding the cattle and mending fences. Though comfortable with his tiny fingers wrapped around a tractor’s steering wheel, well before his feet could reach the foot-pedals, and sleeping in semi-trucks ages before attaining his CDL, starting as a young boy filling the shoes as his grandfather’s protégé, Cody was predestined to carry on the Winkler name in the tradition of becoming a professional truck driver.

Initially, Cody wanted to pursue a future working as a veterinarian, specializing in the care and treatment of large animals, rather than the obvious. Over the course of ten years as a member of the FFA, he raised a variety of animals from steer to pigs, turkey and chicken, even a lamb, goat, and a rabbit. He had learned much of farming and how to tend to his animals from his father, Burt and grandfather, Rudy. Both men also found success working in the trucking industry hauling equipment and gravel. So, naturally all the while following their every move, he inadvertently was preparing for his rightful place in the seat of his own semi-truck.

Janet, Cody’s mother describes the relationship between her son and his grandfather as a unique, beautiful connection that was pure and one of a kind. She continues, “Cody followed Rudy everywhere he went; they did everything together. His grandfather would often say, ‘This is our third generation right here!’ Cody made him so proud. When we lost him to Alzheimer’s disease in 2016 it was heartbreaking. I kept thinking, Cody is much too young to have to bear this kind of pain. He’s such a loving and caring young man, very respectful and I think he gets a lot of that from his grandfather.”

During Cody’s freshmen year in high school, what started as a regular day on the farm quickly turned bleak. The unfortunate events that unfolded before him opened his eyes to the prerequisite need of veterinary physicians in his area, especially for the need of emergencies concerning larger sized animals, such as cows. Witnessing first-hand how the unavailability of these professionals can prove life-altering, his experience that day awakened an urge to make a difference for his animals and any others, if able. With his family onboard in full support of an aspiring veterinarian, fate intervened…

Cody’s father began driving a truck for a living at 18 years old, expanding his career over 34 years. Burt, like his father before him, learned the mechanics of trucking and all the ins and outs of the business at an early age. Burt passed on his knowledge to his son, and Cody took to trucking like a fish to water. It became second nature for him.

As Rudy’s battle with Alzheimer’s worsened, Cody remembers his father taking all three of them out in his truck to work with him almost every day. At the time, Burt was hauling gravel 175 miles one way. For Cody, every trip out was just as special as the last. Unfortunately, the third generation Winkler legacy came to fruition through unforeseen circumstances.

March 2015, Burt was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Cody’s entire world came to a complete halt. Any ideas of veterinarian school were no longer his priority. The day before Burt’s birthday, on March 5th he underwent surgery to have his entire kidney removed. The operation was a success and he is now a proud cancer survivor. The whole process, from the initial discovery of the cancer, to his grandfather’s failing health, Cody explains that it was in that short amount of time everything seemed to have piled up so quickly, when he decided that his family would take precedence over everything else.

“You see, both of those men are my very best friends. And seeing what they were going through, knowing there was nothing I could do to heal them, made me appreciate the small things. Just spending time together meant so much more after facing all of that. Being strong for them made me a better man. When my dad was first diagnosed, I knew immediately that I wanted us to work together so that he would know that he had me to take over his legacy; that his hard work in building his company would not be in vain.”

With everything aligned, that same year that tragedy struck, the Winkler’s banded together to find a way to turn a negative situation into a positive one. They wanted a fresh start; something new to pour all their focus and energy into. Cody, Burt, and Janet established Winkler Construction hauling gravel throughout the state of Texas. They have a total of five trucks, which they later plan to fill with more drivers and eventually venture into other divisions of the business. Cody adds, “I wanted to help my dad as much as I could. Once I got in a truck, I knew that it was all going to work out. It just felt right! I remember at only five years old, sitting in my dad’s lap as he drove us around in his big rig. The feeling I had back then as a kid, then when I started driving on my own, I realized that being in a truck was my calling! And I haven’t looked back since.”

For Cody’s first real road trip, he was ten years old traveling in his father’s Peterbilt. When he grew restless, he would lay in the crawl-through sleeper and gaze out of the window watching the world flash by as they kept trucking. He shares with me the excitement he felt on that journey, stating that it was more than he had expected it to be. His curiosity as a child was followed by continuous questions, wanting to know more about everything. “As I grew up, the more I learned about trucking from riding with my dad it seemed like the thought of eventually driving a truck too was always in the back of my mind… I guess it all started from day one. Driving a truck is what I was meant to do,” Cody said.

His Grandpa Haase, who he loves dearly was also a truck driver in the agriculture field for a long time. With Cody’s understanding as a quick learner, combined with the guidance of three highly-qualified and extremely knowledgeable veteran drivers, when it came time to get his CDL, Cody passed with flying colors. Then, he hit the road running as an owner operator.

“I was in my 1995 FLD 120, headed to Point Comfort, Texas. I had control of my truck, but it wasn’t until after the first thirty or so miles when I really settled in. It was a lot different being on my own for the first time. Not having the security of my dad next to me was a huge change. All the pressure was on me and me alone. That day was exciting and tense, all rolled into one. I’ll never forget how I felt that day!”

Cody says that his proudest moment was the day he received his license to drive a big rig, but not all were a fan of his new direction; versus college or any other lane in lieu of trucking. The biggest hurdle for him was learning how to find his way. Yes, he had plenty of encouragement and support from those closest to him, but for him to feel confident in his work he knew that the path laid out before him had to be on his own terms. Refusing to conform to other’s perceptions based on what they wanted, gave him the freedom to follow his heart. He says, “In the beginning, hearing people talk bad about the trucking industry, hoping to convince me to take a different direction was disappointing. I realize now that by following in my dad’s and grandpa’s footsteps, I am fulfilling what my grandpa had always been saying since I was a kid. Trucking is in my blood… it ain’t about the money; it’s the passion. The love we have for what we do is what makes trucking great. And it doesn’t matter your age, or if you are male or female. That’s what is so great about our industry, we’re not just a brotherhood out here, because we have women drivers too. It’s larger than that. As truckers, we are all one big family. For those that talk bad about trucking, they might not fully understand and that’s okay. One thing I’ve learned is that it’s a trucker thing.”

As for advice, he sticks with what has worked for him thus far: not giving up on trucking and listening to seasoned drivers. Stating, never shy away from old school drivers and their input. Always be open for a learning lesson. Even if it doesn’t make sense or seems irrelevant at the time, because somewhere down the road you may need it. And by not listening to the naysayers and not giving up on pursuing trucking as a profession, he is now living out his dream. The same dream his grandpa Rudy spoke into words many years before his passing.

The best part of trucking, aside from working with his family is traveling and meeting new people along the way. Making connections, forming relationships, and growing his business comes easy for Cody, being that he was trained by the best. He also has family on his mother’s side that handle a lot of his mechanical work. He uses RFD Truck Service, based out of San Antonio, Texas owned and operated by his uncle, Robert Demmer and his Uncle Jim does some work for him, as well. Often, Cody stays in the shop while his uncles show him what needs to be done, then teaches him how to fix the issue at hand.

Having two extraordinary men come before him, setting a standard of morals built on integrity and respect, Cody prides himself on those same values. He says, “Being around my dad and grandpa my whole life made me who I am today. I like to think that I am kindhearted and compassionate, just like them. And hard working and responsible, just like them.” On days when he feels that he is struggling, there is one specific bible verse that he recites to himself as a reminder to think positive and remain patient.

‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’

-Philippians 4:13 NKJV

In speaking with Cody’s mother, she knew early on that her son was wise beyond his years. Being their only child and born two months sooner than expected, Janet refers to Cody as their miracle baby. He has never been one to ask for much; humble and appreciative for what he has is a quality he has laid bare all his life. The last two years have truly been a test to his faith, with the health scare of the disease that knows no bounds, and the loss of his most beloved friend and mentor. Cody’s strength is drawn from a place of joy. By celebrating his grandfather’s life through his own actions; honoring their family name to the best of his ability is Cody’s way of paying tribute to the men that made his life possible.

Janet says, “Cody is our joy. Every bit of him is genuine. The way he gives back to us, for a kid that is rare. He really wanted to be a vet to help animals, but when his dad got the cancer, everything changed. Still today, he would rather be with his dad than out with his friends. He’s just a well-rounded young man, with a big heart and a good head on his shoulders. We’re proud to call him our son.”

The family business typically keeps his schedule full, occasionally he stays overnight for jobs that start early in the day in order to meet his deadlines. Depending on his work order, he also pulls a flatbed or end dump. Winkler Construction is based out of Selma, Texas; his hometown. When Cody is not driving a truck, he’s out at 7W Ranch feeding the cattle and shredding the hay alongside his parents. Farming and trucking go hand and hand as the foundation in which the Winkler family thrive. As for Cody’s driving career, I foresee many years of prosperity, just as Rudy did from day one.