NOBLE LANDS - Darrell Rhodes

NOBLE LANDS

Legend Nominee: Darrell Rhodes

This Legend story stretches further than one man’s history, it speaks to the heritage of a family rich with favor, not of this world but of grace and blessings. The generations, current and years prior, were raised with traditions that were less of a practiced custom and simply a way of life. Acres upon acres of farmland situated on the countryside of Durant, Oklahoma has provided for the Rhodes family dating back over a hundred years ago.

Inherited by one successor to the next, the ideals and beliefs engrained in the family’s core are as alive today as in their century’s past. In a world ever-evolving, with today’s society pitting one against the other, we as a civilization have ventured too far from the mere principles of life. Integrity, honesty, and forgiveness are a few that lay at the foundation of a life fulfilled. An “attitude of gratitude” can initiate a celestial current of positivity with the potential to impact lives and pave the way for years to come.

Darrell Rhodes shares with us how he has combined his two passions: farming and trucking – both deemed attainable and successful with the support of his kin and their strong faith as a family. Described as a friend to all with a tendency to work more than expected, his temperament is humble with all heart; he is a giver of second chances, and quick to extend a helping hand.

NOVEL ERA

Born in 1961, the second of four children, Darrell recalls his childhood vividly with a memory brimming of laughter and good times. His father worked at a peanut mill, while his mother in the same fashion as the women before her was a full-time homemaker. Darrell and his wife of 38 years, Evelyn still reside on the same property he grew up on. Once his great grandfather’s land, is now home to Darrell’s children too along with their families, his mother, brother and sister all within a mile away.

As a young boy, Darrell spent much of his time across the way at his grandparents’ helping farm peanuts, sugar cane, and watermelon. Mornings began before 5AM with cutting wood, plowing, planting, and hauling of the goods. The Rhodes family was 100% reliant of the farm; they grew their own food and processed the meat, as well. The farm machinery consisted of plows attached behind a mule or horse, potatoes were dug and unearthed from the ground by hand. Without running water, the family carried buckets from the spring or creek up to the house. Darrell continues,

“We started as an extremely poor family; we didn’t even have electricity. Everything we had, we either grew or made. But we didn’t know we were poor because everybody else was the same. What stood out to me was our family gatherings at my grandmother’s to eat. It was the best of times! We had nothing and everything – rich with life experiences, not of material things. We had a good life because we had each other. That’s why we don’t need a lot of money today because I remember where I came from, those were the good ol’ days. Much simpler… better.”

Darrell and Evelyn were married at ages 18 and 19, their family soon grew by two with sons, Andy and Jeff. As young parents, the boys grew up learning how to drive a semi-truck before a bicycle. Darrell was about the same age when he was introduced to trucking. His uncle owned trucks, during the summers when school was out, Darrell would join him on the road. Together, they traveled from Dallas, Texas (where his uncle was based) out to California in an old cabover Freightliner.

The long stretch was mostly interstate, that’s when Darrell would slip behind the steering wheel and drive from his uncle’s lap. His love of trucks heightened with age, eventually landing him in the trucking industry as a professional truck driver, as well. By age 18, he and his brother were running team for his uncle transporting machinery. Later, he teamed up with Evelyn for several years, then became a mechanic. His employer purchased a truck that Darrell began driving, bringing in a weekly income of $100.

He and Evelyn found a truck at their hometown bank that they were interested in buying. Knowing the odds were stacked against them, the couple continued to pursue their goal, eager to start their own business. With zero credit and twenty dollars to their name, to much of their surprise they were approved. Darrell resumed driving for $100 a week and put another driver in their truck – Rhodes Trucking was finally off the ground, established in 1988 with an International 4300.

GROUNDED IN FAITH

Six months later, the motor in their new truck goes out. Estimated at $6,000 to repair with $6 in hand, Darrell’s good faith carried him forward, yet again. Stating,

“It was a God-thing, the Lord blessed us! The mechanic said he would fix the truck and allow us to pay him as we go, and that’s how we got started. Had he not been so generous, we would’ve been done within the first year. People like him are why I am the way I am in this business 30-plus years later.”

Stepping out on a leap of faith, Darrell left his job and began driving his own truck, knowing they were left without any financial security or guarantee that mechanical failure could occur. The loss of steady income from his previous job cast a vague future for Rhodes Trucking. Thankfully a local company hired him on, and they began to build their fleet one truck at a time.

They found their niche hauling machinery equipment, such as; road graders, dozers, and oversize machinery. Transitioning over to hauling tractors, they expanded the fleet to 27 trucks – half 18-wheeler dump trucks, the other – gravel trucks. Currently down to a comfortable 10 trucks, Rhodes Trucking remains in the gravel business (local work) with 10-wheel dump trucks and running long-haul pulling drop-deck trailers moving machinery as their main haul.

Andy and Jeff both drive for the family business. Having been involved since childhood, their experience and on-the-job training better prepared them in ways most professional truck drivers can only hope to receive. As years pass, the roles have reversed – Darrell’s time behind the wheel has shifted to the passenger’s seat, while his sons do most of the driving. With over 4-million lifetime miles, all accident-free, Darrell claims that he is gladly handing the reigns to his sons and couldn’t be any prouder of the businessmen they have both become.

The Rhode family is continuing their trucking traditions with a fourth generation; Andy’s son, Haskle has the truckin’ bug – hoping to haul cattle when old enough to obtain his CDL. Until then, he eats, sleeps, and breathes the latest on big rigs. With 6 grandchildren in total, Darrell runs the business within a 5-state radius to help get his drivers home every weekend.

“We are a family-oriented business… with that said, we are an active church family. We understand that God has blessed us with everything we have, so I try to get everyone home for that reason.”

A TRUE LEGACY

Always by his side, Evelyn has driven trucks, worked maintenance, and now manages the office. From the same humble beginnings, her work ethic hinges on the concept of: ‘Earn what you want to have what you need.’ Darrell says, “We were both raised in poor families. We didn’t have much, just enough to survive. That’s why when we finally got enough to get ahead, we tried to help everybody else while we could.”

With mechanics that work and live on location, downtime for maintenance work is kept to a minimum. The flexibility to add drivers and shop men opens a window to help others that are in need of a new beginning. Many end up moving on after gaining the experience and knowledge they were searching for; others only seek friendship and guidance – and choose to stay. All of which Darrell prides himself in sharing as a man of faith and example to his children.

He states that trucking is a lifestyle, one that is not for everyone. It takes patience and determination to succeed at it. Also, many sacrifices come with the territory – mainly time away from your loved ones. Darrell explains that in the beginning of his driving career, his mother kept his oldest son while they were away on the road. Missing out on that time together can never be replaced, but looking back, he says that his family recognizes that the quality time he gave up was so everyone could have a better life. Though they spent many days apart, it ultimately brought them closer as a family.

“I may have been away from them, but my family has always been my main priority. I think it’s important for drivers to keep that in mind, remember why they’re doing this,” he said.

The legacy Darrell hopes to leave behind is a lesson in kindness and unconditional love; a symbol of hope for the less fortunate; and a high standard for the aspiring. He encourages people to make friends everywhere they go, because one day a friend may be exactly who you need to call on for help. Also, never get ahead of others – meaning, remain humble – don’t distance yourself from being called upon.

“I want my family to remember years from now that I stood for all things good. Also, if it weren’t for my family and our friends, we would never have been able to achieve what we have accomplished. It has never been about making lots of money – it’s about enjoying life with the ones you love, because life is too short not to.”

Rounding out our interview, Evelyn is in the background canning tomatoes, squash, and okra. Darrell adds, “We’re still in this world, it’s where we came from and who we are.” The Rhodes gather together three times a week for dinner, just as their ancestors before them.