STRONG PURPOSE - Jim Dickenson
STRONG PURPOSE
Legend Nominee: Jim Dickenson
Snow was falling all around him with only a light jacket to keep warm, standing stranded in Flagstaff, Arizona was not the plan. Tucked in a pocket of his pants hid the last of his earnings, almost two bucks. Though then, in the late 1950’s that was easily considered a good bit of money for a teenage boy. Originally a Texas native, Jim’s intentions were to relocate out west to the valley in California and get rich working in the strawberry fields. Once discovering how many strawberries equaled a single dollar, he quickly realized the ambitious venture was not the reality he had imagined.
Fate intervened in the form of an 18-wheeler accompanied with a driver offering safety and a means of travel. Jim recalls the entire trip as if it were yesterday; the impact of such divine intervention continues to surface in his current day to day activities many, many years after their chance-meeting. The anonymous driver provided fair warning that he wouldn’t be able to drop Jim off at his requested destination. Wanting to get out of the freezing weather, the lad opted for the ride to Amarillo, Texas, convincing himself that he could continue his journey home from there by foot.
Upon arrival, the good Samaritan gave Jim twenty dollars and prepared to part ways. Young Jim pleaded for the driver’s name and address to return the cash once he was able. The response he was given still echoes in his ears nearly 60 years later.
“The only way you need to pay me back is to help at least two people within your lifetime without asking for anything in return. Then, ask them to do the same and so forth. If you and all who follow in line next do so, this world could possibly be a much better place to live.”
Humbled by such generosity, Jim made an unspoken promise to honor his new friend’s vision by spreading kindness and sharing that same passion to make a difference, one person at a time. The influence of the event later led Jim into the trucking industry, mirroring the mystery man that had planted a seed of compassion. This is the life story of professional truck driver, Jim Dickenson.
SENSE OF DIRECTION
Born the oldest of six children in the Spring of 1944, Jim was diagnosed with polio at birth causing his right foot to turn inward, also known as clubfoot. Over the course of several years, with the assistance of casting and braces to ensure the correct angle is permanently placed, correction was successful, enabling Jim to have a normal and active life paired with consistent therapy.
During his childhood, Jim experienced all the same joys as his siblings, joining their father on many fishing and hunting trips. Although he was unable to participate in sports or school dances, accepting the interruption was difficult but never weighed him down. I inquired how he so bravely battled those restrictions at such a young age, and who or what inspired his persistence to continue learning how to walk.
“I didn’t let it hold me back from much of anything. Being in and out of hospitals since I was a baby until age 15 was quite a challenge, but I got pretty good at walking with casts and braces. Being raised in a Christian family definitely helped keep my spirits up. I remember seeing kids at the hospital that would never walk. In comparison, the problems I had were adjustments. I was one of the fortunate ones and now being able to do what I love for a living, when at one point I was turned away due to my right foot, is a miracle in itself!
I was taught to accept a situation and believe it can get better. And when you think you’re bad off, just look around – there are always people that have it worse. Stay positive, keep moving forward, and if you can help anyone else along the way, then you’re doing something right.”
At 18, Jim joined the Army serving two years, from 1962-64. The culture of brotherhood he experienced and immense discipline performed while serving in the military, both aided him in his future endeavors within the trucking realm. Beginning his truck driving career, Jim applied for a position at a company that provided a driving program to earn his CDL. Unfortunately, he was turned away on account of his right foot.
Determined to not allow rejection to set the bar, Jim remained faithful to his beliefs and landed his first trucking job at a rock company based out of his hometown Bridgeport, Texas. The following four years, he hauled sand and gravel to various construction sites throughout the Dallas and Fort Worth areas. Later, switching from local work to running over the road opened Jim’s eyes to an entirely new side of the business. Learning to operate unfamiliar equipment, pulling reefer trailers cross country helped expand his training and exposure in the field of trucking. Stating, “Most of my learning curves were results of mistakes I made. Some of the biggest parts of my career all involved tough experiences and hard work. That’s the way we did things back then, you learned from the school of hard knocks.” From driving a 10-speed to shifting a 5x4 transmission, Jim always made it his mission to conquer whatever the task may be. The advice he offers his fellow drivers is, never stop learning – knowledge is power.
Jim later joined a heavy haul trucking company delivering oversize loads to remote oil field locations. As a part of a rig crew that traveled weeks at a time, often to California and back to Texas, he favored this outfit the most overall; whereas the duties presented more of a challenge, proving to occupy his interest just shy of ten years. He returned to local work for a brief period, then landed a driving position for the post office hauling U.S. mail to the Seattle Processing and Distribution Center based in Washington. Running team, he was out four days and home three, alternating weekly.
Jim’s next major career move was joining a fleet owner operating an exclusive contract throughout the state of Texas pulling dry box and reefer trailers. The business owner started with three trucks and soon grew to fifteen, expanding services nationwide with Jim as one of his most trusted, senior drivers. The owner operator was later outbid, then leased on with a large third-party logistics provider, bringing Jim on as a driver operating under his authority but running business as equals. Given the reigns to operate freely, Jim took on the responsibilities of an owner operator proudly in a professional manner, again increasing his understanding of the industry a bit more.
He and his wife, Sharon later ran team together for the same agent. In 1996, Jim received a plaque recognizing his safe driving and for reaching his 1-million-mile mark. In acceptance, Jim explained, “God is my copilot.” The couple continued running team for a total of 4 years together. Though Sharon no longer drives a truck, Jim says his best time over the road was spent with her by his side.
With over 50 years’ experience behind the wheel and well-over 5 million lifetime miles, Jim’s background includes hauling hazardous materials, operating bobtail trucks and pulling trailers, such as; flatbed, reefer, vans and end dump.
BIGGER THAN YOURSELF
Twenty years ago, Jim created a second identity as a balloon artist; dressed in character, he creates balloon magic presenting everything from animals to planes. Initially, he wanted to spread joy on the faces of children when gifted a fun balloon design of their choice, then the idea evolved into a popular demand. When he’s not occupied driving a truck, Jim also entertains large parties and company events.
He shares one particular story that unfolded toward the beginning of his practice, while visiting his grandson in the hospital. Jim wanted to bring balloons to help cheer him up, but due to hospital regulations the balloons were not permitted. Although, they did make one exception.
Near his grandson’s room there was a little girl who laid motionless in her bed. Five months prior, she had surgery to remove a brain tumor. After speaking with her parents, Jim made the sweet child a flower balloon and placed it on her bed. He then asked the parents to name her favorite color and proceeded to twist a pink balloon into the shape of a poodle. As Jim went to place the pink poodle on her bed, the little girl reached up, grabbed the balloon and smiled. Everyone was brought to tears, as that tiny glimmer of happiness was the first sign of emotion in months. Jim says, “It’s the little things like that, that make everything I do with these balloons worth it. It’s all about the kids.” His business card reads: Spreading God’s love one smile at a time.
With his balloon equipment in tow, Jim practiced at truck stops passing out balloons as work attendants guessed the character of each balloon. He graduated to restaurants, entertaining children and families. For several years, he and Sharon had a snack bar at a local camp resort where he would amuse everyone that stopped by. Still today, on the weekends he visits pizza places around town and hands out fun balloons to kids of all ages.
For 14 years, Jim was actively involved with Trucker Buddy International; a nonprofit organization that connect (selected) professional truck drivers and teachers to participate in a pen-pal program created to help educate students by way of informative material, making learning fun. A few of the academic subjects include geography, history and math, while also demonstrating good communication skills between one another. Jim and his classes remained in contact through letters, postcards and photos. He enjoyed visiting the schools and allowing the kids to take in the full experience of inspecting and sitting inside of his semi-truck.
MONEY IS NOT EVERYTHING
In 2011, Jim traded his truckin’ keys for a full-time position at a major manufacturer assembling trucks. Wanting to focus his energy on family, the transition from traveling over the road to being home daily proved rewarding and smooth. He admits that the many opportunities to experience different cultures and explore our country will forever hold a special place in his heart but choosing to be more present in the lives of his loved ones is where he places the value of his time.
Jim balances his days between running local work for a sand and gravel carrier and his large, extended family of 8 kids, 17 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Having sacrificed so many years away from home making a living driving a truck, Jim reveals that each day is spent making up for lost time. Aside from a honey-do list of work around the house, he whole-heartedly revolves most days around his family; watching kids’ games, attending church events, any and everything that involves his close-knit circle.
Returning firmly to his Christian roots, Jim states his sole purpose as an ordained minister is to continue helping people, spreading the good Word, and serving God. His journey hasn’t always led him down a fault-free road, immune to failure, but ultimately strengthened his faith. He says, “I believe God allows you to go through things, so you can use that experience gained to help others that may be struggling with their own battle, in similar circumstances. No matter what you face in life, there is a reason – you may not see it at the time but keep your faith. We don’t always understand how or why life happens the way it does and that’s okay. I’ve learned, as long as you take care of your loved ones and trust that everything will work out, it most always does. I have been blessed with a good life following along those lines.”
Life’s fulfillment is met when you discover a purpose that far exceeds your own material needs. More importantly, ask yourself, what do you want to be remembered for? The answer may light a fire or reveal a bigger plan. As Jim says, simply find a passion and then live for it. Make it your purpose!
“…and right now, I’m dedicating this chapter of my life to my family. They are my purpose.” -Jim Dickenson