THE GOOD LIFE - Larry Beach

THE GOOD LIFE

Legend Nominee: Larry Beach

This Legend nominee grew up in Greenfield, Ohio; a town settled on the outskirts of Highland County, known for its beautiful country lands and rich history. The city’s motto states: “A perfect place to raise a family.”

62-year old, former truck driver, Larry Beach reflects upon his childhood, born the third from the youngest (seven in total). His mother, Helen tended to the kids full-time while his father, Mantford supported their large family working at a local stone quarry. Greenfield was home to his family, where he learned to ride horses on their farm. Soon after, he began herding sheep and cattle before the age of 10. Next, was operating farm equipment and driving trucks when his feet could reach the pedals. Larry was intent on doing his part to help the family, embodying a maturity well beyond his years.

Being a smaller community, he was able to pitch in and help nearby farmers manage their lands, as well. Along with his father’s guidance, he combined the expertise offered by the other farmers and incorporated all the knowledge instilled into him to build a work ethic, resilient and long-lasting, deemed the key to his successful career as a professional truck driver. He took an interest in mechanical work, too. All traits went hand in hand in the life of a farmer, which later proved resourceful.

Larry attended school during the day, then immediately returning home eager to jump in a truck and begin work. Depending on the job at hand, the vehicles varied: one day Larry was driving a GMC, the next day a Ford or a Mack. Occasionally, his dad drove dump trucks at the rock quarry, but he operated a crane most of the time. That’s where Larry’s curiosity gravitated… to much larger pieces of machinery.

At age 14, Larry’s family relocated to Florida. Despite having more relatives living in the same area, the culture shock reminded the Beach’s why they preferred the rural lifestyle over a larger, busy city. To better adapt, though young in age, at 16 Larry’s industrious discipline pushed him to seek out work. He found comfort through work; he soon landed a job at a car lot working in their maintenance department and when needed, he stepped in as their repossession vehicle transporter.

It was at the age of 19, while working at a cabinet shop when the opportunity he had been waiting for had finally opened up. Larry continues,

“I had been working at the store for a year specializing in custom cabinets and furniture making before I switched to driving trucks. Their driver quit, and I offered to fill the position. I started off only delivering to locals in the area, but as the business expanded, I drove throughout the state of Florida, mostly in single unit box trucks or dry van.

It was my first real job driving a truck on my own, keep in mind, I never went to school to learn to drive… I basically took all of the experience I had learned growing up in Greenfield and applied it… and everything gradually fell into place over time. Since I grew up in the seat of different vehicles, it all felt familiar and I was comfortable driving just about any type of truck.”

Larry stayed with the company as a driver for 6 years.

In 1982, Larry and his wife, Sharon wanted a change of scenery for their two children, David and Kathy. Keen on his own upbringing, the two agreed to plant roots in a small city located in Kentucky. Larry shifted his focus to cabinetry work, while on the side, building and remodeling houses. For two years, he tried his hand at the cabinet business, fond of the flexible work hours, Larry enjoyed the liberty of spending each morning and evening with his family.

The decision to return to the trucking industry was difficult for Larry; being back out on the road as a truck driver had its share of pros and cons. The distance from his loved ones was the true challenge considering his job took him from one coast to the other, running all 48 states. Larry says,

“I’ve always been sort of a loner, and that plays a big part of being a truck driver.” Adding, “There are four main factors that play into a trucker’s career that may determine whether or not he or she can be successful. One being, they have to enjoy their own company. After all, a truck driver is alone the majority of their time on the road. Second, a truck driver needs to have a self-starter mentality. That’s extremely important! Otherwise, if it were easy, everybody would do it. Also, driving a truck for days on end is not for everyone, but those that do it have to enjoy doing it, or it will never work. My dad always told me that if you find a job that you enjoy doing, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.

And lastly, it takes a special type of person to be a truck driver, but an even better partner for a relationship to withstand the strains of long distance. Knowing my family was at home without me was tough. Having Sharon stay home and raise the kids while I was away working was definitely the hardest decision of our marriage, but we made the sacrifice together. It took an equal effort on both sides and an equal understanding of what the other person was dealing with that earned the respect and trust that is needed for a relationship to survive in our line of work. It’s not easy, but it is achievable.”

Larry’s trucking career continued over a span of 25 years, earning close to 3-million lifetime miles with experience pulling dry van, refrigerated freight, low boy and drop deck trailers. He has received several safe driving awards and recognized each time he reached a million-mile mark.

Forced into an early retirement due to an injury, Larry’s passion and love for trucks was inherited by his son, who proudly carries on the family tradition as their second-generation trucker. Both of his children joined him out on the road, as young as 11 years old. Wanting to share some of his fonder memories from his earlier years, such as a much simpler life away from the city and spending quality time together in a truck --his hopes of inspiring the same morals that his parents raised him to believe in, continue to live through his children and their kids, as well.

“My dad not only influenced my career, he taught me how to be a man and how to take care of my family. I am the man I am today because of him. He taught me the values in which I live by; always be honest and treat people how you want to be treated- it’s that easy. As for work, there was no other man that worked harder than my dad. And I followed his lead. My day started around 3 in the morning, I would have my coffee and breakfast. By 4:30-5, I’m on the road. I’d drive my 10 hours as safely as I possibly could, then it was about time for supper and rest. Some days were more eventful than others, but as long as you worked hard, it was all in an honest day’s work.”

Known as a driver that was reliable, dependable, and determined to get the job done, Larry’s CB handle was Crazy Kentuckian -and rightfully so.

Although his days of driving cross-country are over, many memories still dance around, as he shares a few more priceless moments…

Back in the 80’s, during the beginning of his trucking career, Larry was hauling bath tubs and shower stalls to a construction site. It was around 4 o’clock on a regular afternoon just outside of Miami, Florida. Larry noticed a car up in the distance pulling over onto the righthand shoulder, off the road. A man jumps out of the stopped vehicle in a panic. As Larry approaches, the stranger is waving his hands in the air, beckoning for help. Larry proceeds to stop and is immediately informed by the man of the emergency; his wife, who is in the car, is in labor. Larry rushes back to his truck to call the state patrol from his radio, as they’re given an ETA of 15 minutes. Too far along in the childbearing process, Larry assists the father, as the couple delivers a healthy baby boy -right there- on the side of the interstate. When the paramedics arrive, the newborn and his parents are swiftly taken away to the nearest hospital.

Another breathtaking memory, a bit less intense, though still exquisite. On the long stretch of I-90, during the Spring time, traveling across the mountainous state of Montana into one of the many ranges belonging to the Rockies, Larry was caught in the middle of a severe thunderstorm. As he drove further up the mountain, the view from his driver’s seat was unlike any other. He says, “I’ve never seen anything more spectacular, witnessing a thunderstorm of such magnitude with the high winds and flashes of lightning, all going on below me was very surreal. I’ll never forget it!”

Larry states that driving a truck allowed him to provide a good living for his family. In doing so, he also lived out a life of adventure from state to state, ready for the unexpected, yet content in normalcy. He admits that his inner 10-year-old-Larry, the young, fearless kid from the farms of Ohio constantly found himself questioning if the western towns of his favorite cowboy shows on tv, that he watched with curiosity as a boy, were staged or were the towns real places? “I spent half my life wondering what those towns really looked like,” he said. Knowing that I was almost 100% sure that he frequented the areas of question as soon as he hit the road in a truck, I asked if they measured up to his standings. He responded with, “They were exactly how I had imagined them to be! Spectacular! I enjoyed seeing them all.”

Another fact Larry confirms to ring true (in his case at least), once diesel fumes are breathed into your system, a trucker is officially hooked. Declaring, trucking is not a job, it’s a way of life.

“There is absolutely nothing like it. Driving a truck is the greatest job in the world.”

His one piece of advice for all drivers, especially new millennials is to listen to the veteran drivers. They’re seasoned with decades of experience and most are willing to share their knowledge as mentors and friends.

Larry still enjoys attending truck shows and events, being among the trucking community will always be his second family. The encouragement and years of growth he gained as a young protégé learning from his elders is the one wish he hopes at least one reader will take away from his story. His days now are spent perfecting his woodwork and spending time with his family, living the good life. His daughter, Kathy has 2 boys and his son, David has 4 children; 2 boys and 2 girls.

Sharon, being a trucker’s daughter had a prior respect for the business and an even greater love for the man she married 40 years ago. She says that their balance comes from trust. Larry trusted her to raise their children, manage their finances and live independently. Sharon trusted him to work hard and return home safely. The understanding that they were going to make things work was a mutual respect. Sharon states that is was Larry’s work ethic that pushed him to succeed. “It was his own principles that required him to meet the responsibilities the best way he could. So, he was always on time for pickups and deliveries. They knew that if Larry was on a run, everything was going to be handled with the upmost proper care and best customer service.” Adding, “We haven’t had a fancy life or anything of that nature, but for us, it has been perfect.”

I’m very proud to be your wife. I’m thankful for the life you have provided for me and our children. I couldn’t ask for a better husband and I love you!

-Sharon