LIFE-CHANGING - Jeff Coffman

LIFE-CHANGING

Legend Nominee: Jeff Coffman

Throughout life we are faced with decisions that have long-term effects. We must overcome difficulties that are put in our path without reason or cause; we’re forced to learn how to balance challenges beyond our scope of acceptance, and often accept the inevitable despite our morality of good faith. There is no “smooth sailing” – for any victory achieved casts a shadow of struggle.

It is how we as individuals develop during such situations that define our character, who we become succeeding life’s interruptions. How we aspire for our legacy to live on through the hearts and minds of those who wish to understand more of what lies beyond the surface reflect who we are today.

A devoted husband and loving father, an attentive grandfather and true workaholic – loyal to a fault – this Legend driver is admired and respected by all who know him. Seasoned professional, Jeff Coffman has 23 years’ experience driving trucks, in which he currently transports CO2 for the gas division of Reliant Transportation based out of Midland, Texas. Prior to joining the hazmat certified freight shipping and trucking company in 2004, Jeff built quite a resumé consisting of doubles and flatbeds running long-haul. Throughout his driving career he has accumulated over 2-million lifetime miles to-date, all accident-free. Reliant Transportation has recognized his outstanding safety record, awarding him with several safe driving awards.

Upon entering the trucking industry at age 35, Jeff worked in the oil field and also repaired water pumps for local farmers. He initially left home as a teenager in search of making a name for himself; on a quest to break the barriers of his tiny town in Oregon, Jeff planted his roots further down south in New Mexico. Once settled with a family of his own, he supported his growing house working on an oil rig. It wasn’t until 2010 when he ventured into troubled waters.

Jeff was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, overtime his kidneys gradually began to fail. As his health worsened in recent years, functioning at only 12% he underwent a kidney transplant in March of this year. Committing to a healthy lifestyle and adhering to new restrictions in order to heal properly has been a constant process. Enduring the painful disease for 8 years, in addition to the challenges of recovering from surgery has been a balance of determination and patience.

We discuss the relationship he shares with his organ donor, his rehabilitation strategy, along with the overall experience of his life’s perspective today versus 23 years ago when he first pursued a career in the trucking industry. His wife, Cindy witnessed in awe of his strength and courage as he wrestled the odds of surviving the disease. Despite complications resulting in kidney failure, Jeff remained in the truck working his regular hours up until surgery. His work ethic never wavered, refusing to give in… when expected to succumb to his deteriorating condition, he prevailed. Overcoming his body’s physical illness and a successful kidney transplant, he has since returned to driving full-time. Though not quite 100% healed he carries on as if he never skipped a beat.

FAMILIAR FLASHBACKS

Bill and Barbara Coffman grew up together as kids, they were neighbors in the Los Angeles area of California. The two wed and had seven kids, all boys – Jeff was the sixth, born in 1961. By the age of five, the Coffman’s relocated to southern Oregon in the small town of Selma. Raised in the country, Jeff and his siblings all tended to the family farm; during their free time they enjoyed exploring the woods nearby.

With mountains less than 300 feet from their house, Jeff explains his earlier days of adventure consisted of mother nature, imagination, and a kid’s innocence. Stating, “Where I grew up was pure country, nothing like today’s generation of children with video games and social media cooped up inside. We raised chickens, cattle, and gardened like true country folks. Us kids roamed the mountains all day, doing pretty much nothing but having the most fun doing it. That was the best time to be a kid.”

Barbara was a full-time housewife, while Bill worked in the lumbermill, drove dump trucks, and also did construction work for additional income. Living in a small town, everybody knew everyone – especially the seven Coffman boys. Once Jeff graduated high school, he left home eager for a fresh start. He moved to Lovington, New Mexico and lived with his aunt, there he found work in the oil field. Years later, he secured a position at a CO2 plant located in Texas, in the dry ice department. As he learned the business and high demand for the product, he eventually transitioned roles into the seat of a semi-truck transporting CO2. In 1995, following a divorce Jeff hit the road in an 18-wheeler running cross-country. He found his niche in the trucking business driving a truck, though the job itself was more than an occupation.

Driving a truck for a living is an acquiring lifestyle, not suitable or even desired by many. Some view the profession as simply a paycheck, while others seek to master the craft and appreciate the beauty of all the possibilities involved. The uninterrupted silence of a long stretch of road can serve as an escape; soothing therapeutic miles separating distance between one place and the last. For Jeff, traveling in the truck allowed him to create memories with his children, Karyn, Jeff and Scott, who all took turns riding with him across the country during summer breaks.

Time spent behind the wheel driving a truck brought back memories of his childhood, riding alongside his father hauling lumber on weekend trips from Oregon out to California. Familiar flashbacks took him back in time; age 14 joining his father on the road in a 1975 Mack, and just the pair of them setting out on I-5 pulling a flatbed out West.

“I remember the two of us running the roads… our windows down and our arms dangling out with the wind rushing in… we would just ride. The truck was an old flat nose with a single sleeper. I’ll never forget those road trips.”

HAPPY PLACE

As a teenager, sports was Jeff’s hobby; he excelled at football and basketball. A natural athlete, but little did he know, he would find his calling following in his father’s footsteps. When he decided to make the career move into the transportation field, to ensure he could commit to his abilities as a professional driver, Jeff pledged a personal promise to himself.

“First, I selected the trucking school that I wanted to attend. It’s important to find one that you feel provides everything you are looking for in establishing the foundation of your driving career. The trainers need to be knowledgeable and obtain the know-how to help point you in the right direction once you’ve earned your CDL. A lot of truck driving schools are just there to put a person in the driver’s seat, or the trainer hasn’t drove a truck at all. By choosing a good school, you will learn from some of the best and experienced in our line of work.

If you’re lucky, many trucking companies have a handful of veteran drivers that act as mentors; who are just as good as a driver trainer at a trucking school. Either way you receive training, the most important thing is to be fully invested! When I was a student, I was the last one to leave every day. I wanted to drive and become familiar with trucks as much as possible before I took one out on the road. Driving a truck can be extremely dangerous if not properly trained, especially in my current line of work.”

Jeff can confidently say that driving a big rig is easy, but he put in the time and effort to earn that privilege. He also insists that his success is attainable for any driver that possesses a strong obedience for dedication and isn’t afraid of hard work. Adding, “I worked extremely hard at this, and now it shows.”

As for Jeff’s toughest challenges at the beginning of his driving career, backing up his trailer was the frontrunner. By repeating the same safety measures he began using 23 years ago is the secret behind his accident-free record. He was taught to always get out of the truck prior to backing up, assessing the area in which he needs to place the trailer, and (literally) imagining how he needed to guide himself into that exact space… then make it happen. That simple, works every time. No matter how many instances he has had to get out and repeat this specific routine for one delivery, he trusts the process and encourages other drivers to do the same.

Jeff drives a 2017 Mack truck transporting liquid carbon dioxide – the insulated tanks are extremely dangerous, requiring specialized training while traveling between the manufacturing source to the customer site. His tank must maintain a specific pressure at all times; once on-site safety guidelines are necessitated, such as: ensure adequate ventilation, unloading station is free of any interference (parked vehicles, obstructions, and/or people), as well as snow or ice within the proximity.

Driving for Reliant Transportation, Jeff states there is no better trucking company to run for. He says, “I love my job and the product that I haul. Here at Reliant Transportation, the staff are good people and treat you with respect. They don’t try to micromanage their drivers, which is what I appreciate the most. I am given my loads and I’m free to plan my own routes.” Careful with his trip planning, he prefers to travel before daylight with less vehicles on the roads – especially since he runs the Dallas Fort Worth area. He starts his deliveries each morning at two and is typically back home well before the evening traffic unfolds.

THE GIFT OF LIFE

In 2018, Jeff was placed on a transplant waiting list for a kidney. He and his family remained hopeful as they waited for a suitable organ donor. They learned that his 20-year old niece, Skyler Littlefield was a perfect match. March of this year, the two proceeded with the transplant; Skyler remained in the hospital for two days, Jeff for three. The surgery was a success, with no dialysis required. Jeff and Skyler remain close, as he explains that there is no greater gift than what they share.

Suffering only one setback that earned him a 3-day stay in the hospital, his healing journey continued to improve – slowly, but in the right direction. Adamant on his return to the workforce, he put himself on a strict recovery plan. 90 days of recovery, without any strenuous tasks, with the exception of walking. Following his 90 days, he hit the gym for five miles on the treadmill and exercise bike. By June 19th, he was able to climb back in his truck and take on a full schedule, just as before.

The first month pulling a tanker again proved the most difficult; discomfort and tenderness lingered, though many would have never known. Refusing to disappoint his fellow drivers, office staff and family, Jeff always put on a brave face. I have found that people who embody that skill are (genuinely) superheroes. He goes for bloodwork every two weeks and acquired a new eating regime… which has helped him drop a few pounds simply by implementing portion control.

Running cross-country for several years helped Jeff better prepare for the demands of driving a truck for a living. As a solo driver, self-discipline is key. From maintaining on-time deliveries to balancing home-life away from his loved ones, he explains that his time running over-the-road helped shape him into the person he is today.

“I learned a lot about myself while being on the road. Mostly about life, in general. You learn to not take anything for granted and to appreciate who you have in your life. Driving a truck helped me regain the power over my life again, and my family deserves that. They deserve my best.”

If Jeff ever needs to hang up his truck keys, he could easily transition roles into the office as an experienced, highly-trained asset. The trucking industry has provided many opportunities for Jeff; traveling the country, networking within the trucking community, and becoming an example of who truck drivers really are. Jeff is a man of his word, dedicated to a profession with an undeniable passion. He is family man with a humble soul and a heart of gold.