PROVING THE POSSIBLE - Clancy Atwood
PROVING THE POSSIBLE
Legend Nominee: Clancy Atwood Sr.
Clancy Atwood, a legendary driver, who had a willingness to overcome challenges with persistence, was the blueprint for his approach on life. Influential in many ways, he possesses qualities as a leader that encourages positive development in those closest to him and people in passing. His energy and confidence is contagious, while his extensive knowledge of the trucking industry is vast.
A true Texan to the core, Clancy is a second-generation bull hauler, born and raised in the city of Austin. He is currently the longest-tenured company driver at Lindig Trucking, Inc., based out of Johnson City, Texas. Clancy Atwood Sr. (known to many as, Motown) has taken a brief intermission to share with us his life story. Having accumulated well-over 5 million lifetime miles throughout his 50-year career, his experience in the business, has proven invaluable. His journey thus far, has broken barriers of the typical stereotype truck driver image.
Refusing to fall to prejudice in a country divided by religion, race and politics, Clancy grew up in an era when his father was the minority thriving in a profession that would eventually evolve to include female drivers along with all nationalities. Before today’s professional truck drivers immerged, Clancy represented an elite group of outlaws, dressed to the nines, in full Western style clothing complete with boots and belt; the days when a truck driver’s work attire expressed their personal character and line of work.
Nowadays, at any given time, we can tap into our phones or some form of technology and BOOM, receive an instant answer for whatever is on our mind. Back in the late 60’s and early 70’s, when Clancy was on the brink of forging his own path, the only source of know-how, was his father’s wisdom and self-ingenuity, all of which he has since passed on to his five boys (John Sr. , Clancy Jr., Cedric Sr., Jerome and Dawson). Four are carrying on the Atwood name as third-generation truck drivers. The youngest son is pursuing a college education with full support of his father and siblings.
“Our dad was a young black man who dressed professionally, drove nice, large trucks, hauling cows. He was extremely knowledgeable. During his time, when you came across a driver such as him, people paid attention because it was obvious that he had experience and you could possibly learn a thing or two. The hard work he has put in as a working man and as a father, we believe he is indeed a living legend. Undeniably! Dad has been a role model for us as boys throughout our lives. He makes you want to be a better person.” -Cedric Atwood, Sr.
FAMILY LEGACY
Clancy was the second to oldest of six children. His mother worked full-time, tending to their large household, then later made a career in retail as a sales associate. His father put in long hours for many days driving a truck professionally. As the son of a bull hauler, Clancy’s interest in trucks began creeping in around age 13 because it was hard not to be curious when growing up around trucks and large equipment. Idolizing his dad, who operated these massive vehicles with skill, sparked a passion to follow in his exact footsteps.
In high school, Clancy excelled in sports, particularly football. With his physical stature and agility, he was a natural. However, he always reverted his attention back to trucks. By age 16, Clancy’s father began teaching him how to drive a semi. He started in an older model Freightliner cabover, with a 220 Cummins engine. His Junior year, Clancy landed a job at a nearby truck stop pumping gas, changing oil, and helping assist drivers any way possible. Clancy states, “By then, I loved being around trucks and was totally fascinated with heavy equipment. I stayed at the truck stop until I started hauling cattle. At that time, you could visit a truck stop, have a full course meal, and good conversation with complete strangers. These are the good ol’ days, when truckers communicated with their lights and pulled over on the side of the road to help another driver – simple little things we’d do as a whole. It was a cool, secret group of kind people, where everyone treated one another like they knew you…then walk away friends. I remember, years later, I’d pull into weigh stations and the guys knew who my dad was. They’d call him by his CB Handle, Catfish. My dad set the pace! He was full of personality and everybody loved him. I couldn’t have asked for a better guy to lead the way. Like father, like son.”
SECOND HOME
Clancy joined the same business owner that his father drove for. His first load was out to Kansas and back, pulling a double deck trailer hauling cattle. In 1974, he switched to transporting asphalt with his older brother the late Laron “Ricky” Atwood known as Dipstick. This decision proved to be a more beneficial move financially. Later, Clancy and his parents, George Atwood II (Catfish) and the late, Mrs. Georgia opened their own business in Austin; Atwood Mobile Truck Wash. They also purchased a truck that Clancy’s younger brother, George III (Champ) drove, while Clancy and the boys cleaned and handled maintenance work for the truck wash. Landing a major account with an oil company, their business continued to do well year after year.
Over the course of 5 years, family members began shifting into different avenues, eventually closing the truck wash altogether. Clancy returned to pulling cattle for his previous employer before coming off the road and settling into a foreman position at a local sand and gravel pit.
While working at the truck wash, he crossed paths with Bill and Peggy Lindig, owners of Lindig Trucking, Inc. Over the years, they became good friends, and in 2000, Clancy joined the Lindig family business. At the time, he was among 15 drivers. Now the company employees over 130 people. Clancy goes on to say, “It’s a very family-oriented atmosphere, that’s what I like the most. I’ve earned a few awards here and there, but it’s about the recognition itself – the respect. I’ve pulled just about everything over the years: flatbed, dry van, tanker, heavy equipment, but cattle will always be my first love because of my dad. People really respected cattle haulers, they were the last of the cowboys.”
Clancy began his career at Lindig hauling sand and gravel. After putting in 18+ hard working years at Lindig, today he is best known as Bill’s right hand man. “There isn’t anything he can’t do within the company. He’s been with Lindig through thick and thin. The fun and laughter is endless when we’re together….he is a part of the family,” says Bill.
“The Lindig family are good people. I’ve been with them so long here it’s like my second home. When you find a company that appreciates what you do for them, you know you’re at the right place. That’s important for drivers to remember. For any professional truck driver to succeed, they must have a good support system around them… that includes family and their work family.” -Clancy Atwood Sr.EXPANDING THE POSSIBILITIES
Currently driving a 2006 Peterbilt 379, extended hood, Clancy claims that the one thing that never gets old, is climbing into a truck and the feel of shifting gears. He admits that he was surprisingly pleased when the electronic logbooks were enforced. He said, “I had already prepared myself to go against it…you know how unaccepting change causes us to think a certain way. But honestly, it’s not that bad! Innovation and modifications take place for a reason in any field, the trucking industry is no different. We may not agree sometimes, but in a profession known for change you have to learn to adapt to survive. The job will go on with or without you. That’s one thing my dad taught me, complaining gets you nowhere. Get out there and do what needs to be done.”
Considering his father a huge influence on his trucking career, the unfailing principles ingrained and evident in his achievements was inherited by all the Atwood boys. Clancy describes the term success, as a manner of victory, versus fortune. He has committed his life’s work to providing a good lifestyle for his family; one of honor, integrity and unconditional love. Just as his father before him, he hopes to carry on the family’s legacy of bravery and poise for their future generations to follow.
Cedric Sr., Clancy’s third son, was as young as 4 years old when he first started tagging along in the truck. Seated on his father’s lap with his little fingers holding the steering wheel, his eyes were as big as his spirit while staring out of the truck’s window in amazement with a sense of pride that he could take on the world; unknowing that he would one day look back on that very moment and recognize the memory as the day he began to live his dream. All of Clancy’s sons have rode in the truck with him, as young as 3 years old. They each have their own special memories shared with their father, sitting on the dog house and getting in and out of the truck.
In speaking with Cedric, he explains that before obtaining his CDL at age 18, he was headed down a rough path. Clancy gave his son two options: one, go through the prison system and let them teach him. Or two, follow him and learn his trade. Cedric says, “I remember him telling me, come with me and learn what I know, but you’re going to work. And by work, he meant hard work! He gave me the space to learn and grow into the individual he knew I could be. My dad only knew one way, and that was to go HARD! He saw the potential in me that I never knew I had. That’s the kind of man he was to all of us growing up. Keep in mind, he’s a big guy, 6’3, one of his fingers is the size of two of mine put together. He had that strong voice that was intimidating.” I hear Cedric laughing as he continues, “The man people meet today is a lot softer than the dad that raised a bunch of boys. We got the 35-year-old trucker in his prime. And that part of him has always stuck with me. He has worked hard for everything he has. That makes me want to do better as a man to make him proud. My dad is everything to me... to all of us. He has proven that no matter what or how things are supposed go, every person has the right to make their life matter… that everyone has the opportunity to do more than the impossible. You just have to make it happen.”
Along with his father and sons, Clancy enjoys buying and remodeling trucks together. The family gatherings involve the exchange of trucking stories, advice and plans for the future. Rounding out our interview, I asked Clancy to describe the most memorable detail of his trucking career to-date. Naturally, the love for his family led the response.
“When you look at your kids and you can notice that they take after you a little bit, it makes you puff your chest out with pride. Trucking is big in the Atwood family and knowing that my sons have made something out of themselves and I had a hand in that through what I do for a living, that is by far my favorite thing about my trucking career.”