'Too stubborn to quit'

A surprise gift for OOIDA President Jim Johnston. OOIDA
officers Todd Spencer and Bob Esler on the left.
(Photo by Nikohle Ellis)

OOIDA President and CEO Jim Johnston got a surprise during the VIP barbecue event on the Kansas Speedway infield Oct. 17. He was presented a portrait by the OOIDA Board of Directors and Association employees.

OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer set up the surprise.

“There are years in the past where we never thought anything like this would have happened and we are thrilled you are all here to share our 40th anniversary,” Spencer told attendees.

“I’ve been around for a long time, but this guy standing beside me – Jim Johnston – started this thing. … I can say tenacity and things like that, and those words are appropriate. But the truth is, he just a lot like other truck drivers. He’s so damned hardheaded.

“He decided to start something to represent truckers. He stuck with it. … When virtually everyone else was gone, he was there alone and could not admit defeat. He built an organization. People say all the time truckers can’t get together. Hell yes, truckers can get together and they can represent themselves in a business-like manner.

“We may be kind of a strange family at times, but when we stick together, it works better for all of us.”

At that point, Jim was still thinking it was a welcome speech to guests. Truckers cheered as Board Members Gary Green and Robert Esler edged up on the left with the portrait, a token of recognition, appreciation, for the many years Jim has dedicated to truckers.

Jim’s smile said it all, but he did get in the last words.

“Todd had it partway right,” he said. “Actually, I was too dumb to know I couldn’t do it and too stubborn to quit.”

Jim Johnston's speech

It arrived a day later than initially planned due to weather, but OOIDA President Jim Johnston addressed the truck show crowd on Saturday evening.

Introduced by Executive Vice President Todd Spencer on the truck show’s main stage, Jim spoke about the need for truckers to take their concerns to Washington, D.C., all those years ago. There were some real eye-openers for the truckers once they arrived and saw what they were up against.

“We decided the only way to deal with this was to start an organization capable of giving truckers a strong voice,” Jim said. And that’s precisely what they did.

Jim and Todd were joined on stage by OOIDA Chief Operations Officer Rod Nofziger, who led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to OOIDA – 40 years strong.

We captured the speech in a video, and I must make a personal apology for the shaky camera in a few places. I was juggling two cameras and a backpack. But the important stuff is here, which is of course the speech, the thank-yous to members and OOIDA staff.

Rod summed it up for the crowd: “This celebration has been all about you, it’s been all for you.”

OOIDA members show off hard-working, eye-catching trucks

Winners of the OOIDA Heart of America Trucking Show Truck Beauty Competition.

What a great 40th Birthday celebration. Forty fabulous show trucks parked, thousands of watts of candle power. And members with numbers so low, many have been part of OOIDA since the beginning (or darn close to it). The power of the passion that you bring to our association was never more evident than it was at Kansas Speedway. Chilly temps and freezing sleet didn’t deter the drivers or the judges from delivering the goods and their decisions.

Senior Member Jerry Mies of Mies and Sons Trucking based
in Colwich, Kan.;won  Best of Show Working Combo 
with his2013 teal and white Peterbilt 389 and 2010 Walker 
tanker called “Lactose Limousine.”

On a hot streak that shows no signs of cooling off, Senior Member Jerry Mies of Colwich, Kan., brought out his Lactose Limousine – a 2013 teal and white Peterbilt 389, pulling a 2010 Walker tanker. Mies and his family racked up six trophies, including Best of Show Working Combo.

“I knew I wanted to be here as soon as I heard about this show,” Mies said. “I’m a member and I know how hard everyone works at the Association. I’ve just started doing truck shows, and this was great. I had the chance to talk with so many people who have similar goals. I hope you do it again next year.”

Member Scott Rud of Byron, Minn., won Best of Show 

Working Bobtail with his 2000 silver and red Peterbilt 379.

OOIDA Member Scott Rud of Byron, Minn., knew he’d be at the party. He hauls the booth display for Minimizer – a company that makes sturdy, lightweight truck fenders, bracket kits and accessories. His truck, a sparkling red and silver 2000 Peterbilt 379, has become a familiar sight at truck and trade shows across the country. Until now, Best of Show had eluded him.

Shawn Helt of Helt’s Turf Farms out of Pleasant Hill, Mo.,
won Best of Show Limited Mileage Bobtail with his 1965
Jade Green Peterbilt 351 named “Helt Up.”

“I was never sure about even entering my truck. To me, it’s a nice truck, but I look around and see trucks that are that nice or better.” Well, this time the judges thought his truck was better than nice. They liked it all the way to a Best of Show Working Bobtail win, along with several class trophies.

Best Limited Mileage Bobtail went to Shawn Helt of Helt’s Turf Farms, Pleasant Hill, Mo. Their 1965 jade green Peterbilt 351 runs like a champ and looks like a dream of days gone by. The needle nose and butterfly hood drew newcomers and old-timers to share stories and appreciate the artistry of this restored beauty.

Best Limited Mileage Combo honors were given to Life Member Leonard Eads of Timberline Trading, Lathrop, Mo. His 1998 burgundy Peterbilt 379X and Savannah logging trailer did

Life Member Leonard Eads of Timberline Trading, Lathrop,
Mo., won Best of Show Limited Mileage Combo with his
1998 burgundy Peterbilt 379X and 2000 Savannah trailer.

much more than turn heads. His trailer unfolds and telescopes to accommodate trees of all sizes. What a great opportunity to learn about another segment of our trucking industry.

Wash ‘N’ Shine is a type of class designed for trucks that look good, but maybe haven’t cleaned up quite as detailed as some others. It’s a strictly hands-off visual examination of the truck, along with a presentation from the driver. Some folks just never quit wiping their trucks down – outside, inside, front to back and underneath – until rags down is called. It’s just how they’re wired.

Peter Burrows of Buhler, Kan., and his sparkling white Kenworth T600 was awarded Best Wash N Shine Bobtail, while Jan Huey of LB Trucking out of Greensburg, Ind., took a happy walk to the stage to receive recognition for her 2010 metallic gray International ProStar pulling a 2004 Utility Reefer. As company truck drivers, Jan and husband Ron are preparing to get into a brand-new International ProStar when they get back home. And I’m sure they’ll make that one a force to be reckoned with.

The trophies just kept getting bigger and better. Provided by Rockwood Products and proudly made in the USA; Carl Carstens and his team delivered the rosewood and acrylic trophies just a couple of hours before they were awarded. This was just-in-time delivery at its finest.

People’s Choice award went to Senior Members Howard and
Cindi Bohn out of Odessa, Mo., and their 2013 Tahitian green
International LoneStar, “Tahitian Treat.”

A true highlight of the show was the recognition for People’s Choice. This award was voted on by the thousands of attendees, and selecting their favorite truck was not an easy job. When the tallying was done, the clear favorite was a 2013 Tahitian green International LoneStar, named Tahitian Treat by OOIDA Senior Members Howard and Cindi Bohn from Odessa, Mo. Sparkling inside and out and decorated in a Tahitian Tiki bar theme, this truck wowed from daylight to dark and earned three class trophies, including one for their lights at night.

One of the hardest choices was the one made by OOIDA President Jim Johnston. Jim visited with the owners and drivers who proudly displayed their trucks and shared stories of life on the road. Senior Member Richard Hanning of Shawnee, Kan., decorated his 1985 blue Peterbilt 359 with his membership certificate from 1992 along with decals reflecting OOIDA’s history.

Life Member Richard Seyfang’s trailer proclaims his feelings on the back doors of his trailer – “If You Don’t Think OOIDA Works For You, You Must Be Wearing Socks and Sandals.” OOIDA Member Al Becker of North Lima, Ohio, spoke about how much he values being part of the OOIDA family.

Life Member Victor Holthaus from Axtell, Kan., impressed 

OOIDA President Jim Johnston with his 1978 white 

and black Peterbilt 359 and 1996 Timpte grain trailer. 

Holthaus has 4 million miles on the truck – 

most of which he put on it himself. That clinched the 

President’s Choice award from Johnston, pictured at right.

The President’s Choice Award was given to Life Member Victor Holthaus of Axtell, Kan., and his 1978 gray, white and black Peterbilt 359 pulling a 1996 Timpte Grain Trailer. With more than 4 million hard-run miles, that truck and its owner are a pretty solid reflection of where we came from to get where we are today. Looking great, overhauled some, but still standing tall getting down the road.

The Heart of America Truck Beauty Contest showcased trucks from all the major manufacturers: Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, Mack, Western Star and Volvo. From California to New York, Florida to Washington and everywhere in between. From hauling logs to delivering milk, these are some of the best representatives our trucking industry has to offer – yesterday, today and into the future.

Event sponsors included OOIDA, Rockwood Products, Minimizer, Lincoln Chrome and PrePass.

Missing a friend

When benchmark events in any life – even those of an association like OOIDA – happen, inevitably conversation turns to memories of events and friends who have been made along the way.

The Heart of America Trucking Show is no different.

One name in particular is coming up time and time again: Dale "The Truckin' Bozo" Sommers.

As you probably know, Dale died last year. To this day, while he is still sorely missed, the fonder memories and smiles outweigh the sadness.

Those late nights that many of you tuned in to listen to Dale while he was on WLW, you heard him chatting with OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer quite a bit. Todd would stay up late and the pair would wrestle with the issues facing truckers into the wee hours of the morning.

Sharon Sommers presents Dale "The Truckin'
Bozo" Sommers' OOIDA Life Member jacket
to OOIDA President Jim Johnston.

Dale was a staunch – to put it mildly – supporter of OOIDA. He would go so far as to ban callers from his show until they became members of the Association. He was a firm believer that if you weren't in on the fight and supporting OOIDA, you didn't deserve the right to complain.

As much as Dale loved OOIDA, the Association loved him. Dale was presented with an award of appreciation well before his death, but after numerous medical issues began taking their toll.

That mutual admiration was recognized once again at OOIDA's Heart of America Truck Show.

Sharon Sommers, Dale's wife, was in attendance to present a gift of gratitude to OOIDA President Jim Johnston. The gift? Dale's coveted OOIDA Life Member jacket carefully framed with some photos of "The Bozo" by OOIDA Member Jan McCarter.

Sharon, or "Lumpy" as listeners to Dale's show will know her by, told Jim of Dale's love and passion for the Association and felt that his jacket belonged best with the people he had supported, and fought the battles alongside.

I don't know if Jim teared up or not when he was accepting; it was too hard to tell through my own.

Here's to Dale. Still missed and still loved.