TO BE SEEN - James Shelley
TO BE SEEN
Legend Nominee: James Shelley
We as people are constantly evolving, starting the day we are born into this magnificent universe. Growing in age, we gain insight and enlightenment over the years pushing ourselves to think with an open-mind. While our environment, people, and all-around support system alters throughout the many stages in life, so will our aim of attention.
Thankfully, life never ceases to fascinate one’s expectations if and when the opportunity is pursued.
As time glides by, days slip away and years pass. Those who reflect in hindsight are given a gift into the value of their own improvement. Pause long enough to look back on who we were ten or twenty years ago – press even further, on into your youth – a collection of earlier moments have an impact on who we are today. Even simple occasions, for example: gathering for family meals… handling the grocery shopping, purchases, and event details were insignificant, because your only role as a child was to participate. Sit and eat, maybe share in the small talk, help clean up afterwards, then off you went back to the innocence of kid-friendly activities.
The reality of the world and all of life’s choices and discoveries had yet to weigh on your identity as a person, or how you wished to be recognized as an individual. Though much knowledge is to be gained through life experiences, the maturity forged over time builds a person’s character and attitude. As the mindset develops, the essence that lay as the foundation to your core are also strongly influenced.
Children absorb habits from their surroundings, teenagers are often a representation of their circle, and adults are who we choose to introduce the world to as men and women, parents, acquaintances and individuals in whichever line of work we pursue. In all steps of life, we just want to be seen; known and accepted…most of all, loved and appreciated. The importance of recognizing how we all became to be who we currently are must include the earliest details, along with the good and the bad.
This Legend driver is still a kid at heart, his compassion for others was evident since childhood, never wavering. Embodying a temperament for enjoying life, his earlier memories ring of mischief and shenanigans. He is now a grandfather and mentor to many, quieting his antics to less, with wisdom that overflows. Originally born in Orange County, California, James Shelley refers to the state of Texas as home.
James’ journey from farm living to traveling over-the-road driving trucks broadened his outlook of the vast cultures and scenic views across the country. Having accumulated well over 3.5 million lifetime miles throughout his 25+ year driving career, James says that the key to succeeding in a profession known for its rules and transformations is to remain true to who you are. Stating,
“Trucking is not just a job, it’s a lifestyle. So, if you don’t truly love what you do, you won’t cut it in our line of work. It is a way of living that not everybody can adapt to. With all of the regulations and so forth, if a truck driver can focus on why they’re out here – to provide a type of service that is needed by every living person in America – to provide for his or her family – to be a professional truck driver, then they are the ones that understand the bigger picture of what we do. Shake off the rest, don’t let any of the negative change who you are, and just drive. That’s how you reach success! To me, success is when you love what you get paid to do.”
The oldest of 3 children, James’ childhood involves a small window of sports, a great deal of time spent around livestock, and many summers running in a semi-truck with his father, Ken. Ken served in the U.S. Marine Corps until James was 4 years old, then relocated the family back to their roots in Texas. James explains that his father’s parents owned and operated a farm where Ken and his siblings all had a hand in the upkeep of the family business.
His father grew up driving farming machinery and grain trucks at an early age, passing that knowledge down to James, making him a third-generation driver. Now his oldest son, Chad keeps the trucking legacy alive as the fourth in succession.
James recalls sitting on his father’s lap with his tiny fingers wrapped around the steering wheel as they coasted down the unending stretches of road. Occasionally his teacher would nudge him on the arm as a quick lesson for grinding the gears. As a bull hauler, it’s a tough business that demands agility and skill, as the driving requires finesse and technique. All of which James picked up on quickly; on-the-job training from the school of hard knocks has a knack for proper education of such.
They made deliveries in every direction of Texas but unloading Brahman bulls at ranches were James’ favorite locations. The excitement of watching the bulls run off the trailer into the holding pens never got old. Often to entice the cattle on and off the trailer, a person (preferably someone fast on their feet) would need to lead them. He would watch the cat-and-mouse game in wonderment time after time. His fascination with livestock led to his first job at age 15.
He worked in a sale barn, where cattlemen gathered to buy and sell livestock. James’ responsibilities were to put the cattle in specific pens for potential buyers. Years earlier, he played football in elementary; then, basketball as a teen, but eventually turned away from all of it to free up his time to hang out with his friends.
At age 20, he landed a job at a local meat company driving a delivery truck throughout the Houston, Texas area. A year later, he made the switch to a nationally known trucking company pulling dry van cross-country. His home-time was narrowed down to 3 days tops, then back out for 3 weeks. The transition away from his loved ones was tough, yet it was waking up in a different city every day that proved to be his biggest adjustment.
With the experience obtained and intention to expand his resumé, James tried his hand at flatbedding with a company based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He says the best advice he received when learning how to correctly tarp a trailer was to be thorough and take your time. He also goes on to add that any information a driver trainer or veteran driver has to offer – take it. Adding,
“The process of learning never stops. The amount of instruction and insight I gained from just sitting around old school drivers growing up is invaluable. But it didn’t stop there… every day I’m learning something new… by listening, watching, and asking questions. You have to observe, take as much of it in as you can, apply it, and keep building. Like I said, it’s a process, but it’s how you continue to become better.”
James says that every driver has their own routine or habits when it comes to securing a load. But for him, to ensure his load is properly in place, he attaches extra straps for his own peace of mind. He takes pride in the precautionary measures he provides for safety, knowing that no accidents will be at his indiscretion. As a lease purchase operator for Steelman Transportation out of Springfield, Missouri, the safety department displays photos of James’ trailer as examples of how to properly secure loads.
Before Steelman Transportation, James landed with an outfit pulling dry box for 10 years; the first 8 he ran as a company driver. When the opportunity to lease a truck with the company presented itself, James went for it. Shortly after, in hopes to appease his then-wife, he came off the road completely. He found work at a processing plant close to home. His efforts to work a 9 to 5 shift in close quarters had a 6-month run, he returned to the trucking company and ran another year before they went out of business.
Since joining the driving fleet of Steelman Transportation in 2016, James continues to run long-haul enjoying the flexibility and freedom Steelman provides. Often his wife, Rachel will join him on the road, squeezing in quality time and taking in some of their favorite sights together. In 2018, James purchased a brand new 2018 solid black sapphire 389 Peterbilt. Earlier this year, he added new graphics and a title to his project: The Patriot.
On the lower half of the wrap, stretching from the nose to the back of the cab lay the American flag. The red, white, and blue stripes lengthen to meet the white stars, extending upward to a bald eagle – representing freedom, honor, and respect. To its left reads the quote: “Home of the free because of the brave.” James recently brought home two trophies from the American Pride Truck Charity Event at GATS, hosted in Dallas, Texas. He placed 3rd in the Dressed To Impress category and took 1st in the Light ‘Em Up.
With plans to compete in 2020, his list of shows include the Walcott Truckers Jamboree hosted at the Iowa 80 Truckstop, Guilty By Association Truck Show (GBATS) in Joplin, and the Pride & Polish at the Great American Trucking Show (GATS). But if you’re unable to attend any of these events, you’re sure to catch The Patriot in passing, being that James has no intention of slowing his working-class show truck down.
Although driving a truck for a living is his passion, being away from his family has never been easy for James. The support he receives from Rachel and his loved ones has played an instrumental part in attaining his achievements thus far. His sons Chad, Jarvin, Colby, and daughter, Cherokee along with Rachel’s son, Jeremy, and all of their grandchildren are who inspire him to keep pushing forward when he misses home the most. He says,
“Every driver knows that having a strong support system is crucial. Even if you’re single and you don’t have a wife or kids to say goodbye to when you leave, it doesn’t change the fact that it gets lonely out here on the road. Having people help you stay positive and encouraging you on those bad days goes a long way. Most of my family and friends may not know how important they are to me, but I hope by reading this they will. Everything good I’ve ever done in my life has been because of them.”
James starts each day off right with a prayer of gratitude and for safety while on the road. He explains that parts of the much younger James he knew from his childhood finds the better of him – he still likes to enjoy life by the moment and make people laugh. But explains that his personal progress as a son, father, and husband continue to improve through the many experiences credited much to life on the road as a truck driver. Each day he strives to become the man they can all be proud of in hopes to be seen as they all view his truck… with admiration and love.