Darrell Hicks, a long-time Trucker Buddy board member, advisor and Ambassador known as “Uncle Darrel,” was posthumously named Trucker Buddy International’s Ambassador of the Year. Hicks, a longtime trucking industry steward passed away in July from pulmonary fibrosis, a progressively debilitating lung disease.
Hicks was a member of the original board of Trucker Buddy when the trucker pen-pal group first became a certified 501.0.3 non-profit organization. He later led the organization as president through many tough times, always remaining steadfast in his belief that Trucker Buddy can change lives of drivers and improve the image of the trucking industry, according to Randy Schwartzenburg, Trucker Buddy executive director. Hicks is the only non-driver Trucker Buddy Ambassador.
“Uncle Darrell was a special person and is missed by all of us. Naming this award after him is a testimony to the many lives he touched with class and respect,” Schwartzenburg said. “He chose the Arkansas School for the Blind for his Trucker Buddy class. His work with those blind students actually gave us insight into the life of Uncle Darrell and why the award is so appropriate.”
Hicks worked in the trucking industry for almost 50 years, most recently as a consultant and before that as an engine and coolant expert with Penray. He was a loyal and active member of the Technology and Maintenance Council of the American Trucking Assns., where he received such distinguished awards as the Silver Sparkplug and the Gerri Murphy Membership Award. Hicks was also a long-time member of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Assn. and the National Association of Show Truckers.
