When one dying trucker wished for the last ride of his life, strangers came forward to ensure it happened.
Veteran Trucker
Jim Garhart is a trucking veteran with 50 years of experience and after a doctor’s report saying he was in his last days, all he wanted was to ride in a semi-truck one more time before he died.
He landed up at the hospital in June after a tractor-trailer accident and while being nursed for his injuries, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Jim is also a Vietnam War veteran and a doting husband to his wife, Connie Garhart, who also runs trucks with him, she put in all her efforts to fulfill her husband’s last wishes.
Taking Jim On His final Ride. Jim Has Cancer And This Was His Last Wish. Jim Has Been Trucking For 50 Years And Is A Vietnam Veteran. Words Can't Express How Honored I Am.
Share This Out And Show Jim Some LovePosted by Trucker G on Monday, August 10, 2020
A mission
Connie shared a request on the RoadWarriors Facebook Page which got the attention of ‘Mr. and Mrs. G.’ (Gerald and Mary Johnson) in Hartville, Missouri. Mr. G. was working on a delivery assignment when he checked Facebook. He saw Jim’s story and felt an immediate connection.
“I called my company and I spoke to the dispatcher and asked if there was any way the dispatcher could get me a load from Texas to Nebraska. I was like either way, we are deadheading to Nebraska to make his wish happen.”
Strangers rally together
After 10 minutes, the dispatcher called back with an assignment to Nebraska that would take Mr. G just 20 miles from where the Garharts lived. Soon, the G’s were pulling into their driveway not only with a truck, but also with money to help the Garharts with finances. Connie stopped driving trucks to support her husband, leading to new concerns with expenses.
“When we got there, he was very overjoyed and we were able to give him a sizable check that brought a tear to his eye. As a husband, your number one concern is providing for your family and when you can’t provide for your family, that’s a huge stress,” said Mr. G.
Mr. G used the help of other truckers and his motorcycle group and took a video of Jim’s final ride for those truckers who could not be present. “I asked Connie and Jim if it would be OK if we videoed it live on Facebook and they quickly agreed. I told them it wasn’t about social media or how many views we got because this was about Jim,” Mr. G said.
Truckers supported Jim by thanking him for his hard work in the industry. 130,000 people viewed the ride with Jim, leading to a great shared experience not just for Jim, but for all of his supporters. “Jim loved hearing all of the positive comments. As bad as the situation was, there was no sadness. Everything was about joy that day,” Mr. G added.