John Cooper "Cujo"
“Talk Less , Listen More” that was the advice to all new trucking students from Mr. John Cooper , dubbed “Cujo”.
This gentleman was “Sam” from my student trucker story on “Ask the Trucker – A Day in the Life of a Lady Trucker“, he passed away unexpectedly Christmas weekend , it was a shock to everyone in our company.
“Cujo” was a dedicated company man, he was one of the first people a student trucker would meet and he was the first person many of us went looking for as our training experience unraveled. Often he could do little more than encourage us to remain optimistic, pick ourselves up and try again. “Cujo” motivated me to keep trying.
I learned to read between the lines with Cujo and because of that I overcame many obstacles which is my student trucker story. He was a man with a great deal of integrity but his hands were tied to make changes. His optimism and upbeat demeanor may have seemed to some that he did not understand but I know he truly cared about the students success. He was simply not in a position to be much more than a figure head, the Ambassador.
So dedicated was Cujo to the company, I never told him I wrote about him or about my story until the night of the first Dan Rather Broadcast. By that time he had seen me overcome many challenging situations. He played a key role in my success with just a few directives.
After my story became public knowledge, I was stopped by a female driver in my company at a North Carolina Fuel Stop who said “You called Cujo , “Sam” after Samuel L. Jackson in your story.” , I smiled and said “Yes, I did”.
I knew what she meant, many drivers looked to Cujo for a hand out “so to speak” rather than a “hand up”. While it was true this man probably heard more firsthand horror stories from the student trucking fleet, he could do little more than try to motivate them to dust themselves off and keep trying. Disregard the rumors, gossip and keep rolling.
It wasn’t any special treatment this man gave, it was what he didn’t say that clued me in that he carried a huge burden. I sensed this right away when I heard him speak at our orientation. I took the initiative to ask him to dispel rumors from day one about our bonuses, the team driving requirement and my reservations about teaming with “Tony”.
When my trainer brought me in short of segments to test out, it was Cujo who said “She got paid good money to teach you and she could not even complete your paperwork”! He saw that I wanted to learn the best way, I did not want to cut corners … it was me who asked to go with a second trainer to iron out the kinks of my poor training.
I waited several days for the second trainer but he never showed, it was Cujo who saw me roaming the halls a few days later and realized that trainer never came for me. It was Cujo who made sure I got a second trainer so I could pass.
When “Tony” had his meltdown, Cujo knew it would happen because he met him, he knew I had made a promise and would not break it. He tried to encourage me to be selfish and think about myself before teaming with “Tony” but I had to give it a shot, seeing how I did promise and we had gone to CDL School together.
When the company attempted to remove me from the truck and give it to “Tony”, it was Cujo who informed me what the correct wording was to utilize to prevent it from occurring again.
Unfortunately, we had one miscommunication that was very unfortunate. When I rode the bus back to re-team with “Mag” it was Easter Weekend. I arrived at 5pm on Friday, everyone had gone home or I would have stopped by to see Cujo.
Following the bleach incident I became aware that “MS” knew that “Mag” had recent problems and could be a potential threat to my safety. “MS” was inapproprately friendly and unfriendly to certain student truckers and this was common knowledge. She booked my tickets, she seated me on the truck with the people she knew were potentially violent or could hinder my success.
It was Cujo who told me “Mag is a crackhead” and “Do not tell “MS” Shit”. WOW!!!!
This was totally out of character for a man like him to use this language. He worked closely with “MS” who is the team coordinator. This was my only point of contact and he was telling me to avoid her at all costs!
He had regrets but with the weekly volume of students and the turnover how could he possibly keep up with it all? He shared just a few candid comments which helped me overcome obstacles, he gave me no special treatment. I sent others with simialr problems to him with this advice. “Cujo is not going to fix the problem, he can’t but he needs to know and then read between the lines of what he is saying to you. “Talk Less, Listen More”.
My last co-driver was a girl Cujo set me up with, after everything I had been through I tried one last time to team up but it was actually a test.
When I returned to the terminal after Hurricane Ike with “CC” I went to see Cujo who had recommended her to me the week before. I spoke with him and another fellow driver/trainer. I told him I was trying to let her take the bull by the horns but she was not stepping up. The trainer said “someone needs to be in charge, be the leader” Cujo interjected “She’s is a leader” meaning me. I was flattered but I admitted that if she does not want to be led it was only provoking her. I told him that her temperament was predisposed so I was trying to let her lead but she showed no initiative. I said “I’m not sure she really wants to drive”. Cujo said “That’s what I thought”.
It was a test! He set me up and he set her up.
I did not always get straight answers from Cujo and sometimes I took my questions elsewhere. I did not give up and he saw that.
I never told him about the story or the show because I did not want him to feel he was hiding something. I called him the evening of the the first Dan Rather Report and explained to him what the emails and qualcomm’s meant. Everyone was confused and many still have no idea there was a show.
He was calm as I told him and wanted to watch the show. Then toward the end of the conversation he said “Girl, you really got em goin around here…” he was absolutlely tickled that something was happening. He carried a very heavy burden.
With regards to the Million Mile Driver I mention in my story, he told me on many occasions “They are screwing her over” and from her when she heard of his passing, she said “He knew a lot of stuff and I know it ate him up”.
Cujo called me late one evening at out nowhere late on November 20th 2009, this was very much out of character for this gentleman who was very much “by the book”.
He wanted to see how I was and what my plans were for the future. He said things I have never heard him say and never imagined he would be the type to be that unguarded.
I didn’t know what to make of the conversation but when I received the news of his sudden passing on Christmas weekend the timing seems to coincide with a diagnosis he received.
Ever the optimist, I understand he was upbeat and downplayed his condition. He never said anything in our phone conversation about it but he spoke in a way that was out of the ordinary. He was clearly distressed. Of course I feel guilt that I did not press him, he obviously needed someone to talk to and I did not hear his wheel squeaking. He died from complications after a treatment for Cancer. It seems he had just been diagnosed with it around the time he called me.
He was a bright light of sunshine despite everything that was going on around him. I would not have been able to overcome the obstacles I faced as a student trucker without Mr. John Cooper, his optimism and few candid moments are key ingredients in my success.
Mr. Cooper passed away in his home in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was 59. He was laid to rest in Montgomery Alabama. He was active with his church and community in numerous organizations including Big Brothers, Big Sisters Organization, the Boys and Girls Club.
Rest in Peace “Cujo” Thank You for touching my life.
This was a touching story and I enjoyed reading it very much. These are the people who are allowed to be a part of our life to get us through the tough times.
There is no doubt this man is resting in a much better place. I’m glad he was there for you as I know he was a bright light for you as well as many other drivers who were going through similar experiences and circumstances.
Thanks for sharing this with all of us.
Greetings
Everyone! As Cujo’s oldest sibling, let me say on behalf of our family
that we are most grateful for the outpouring of sympathy for our
brother’s decease. To the last one of us we know that a special person
like him will be missed by so many he touched for a long time. He and I
traveled many roads together during the time we were privileged to have
him. I suppose his loss means the most to me as I was his Big Brother
who had to turn to him many times for advice and guidance though my
parents had entrusted his care to me as we grew up so impoverished in
once racist Montgomery, Alabama in the 50s, 60s and early 70s.
The reader is invited to read of those times as they are chronologized
on http://www.hbcuconnect.com,blackwomenconnect.com and several other sites
across the web. What makes my family’s history so unique is that we as
young children were caught up when I was age 9 in the Montgomery bus
boycott when Rosa Parks (a west side neighbor) refused to give her seat
to a white passenger. John was age 4. Would you believe we became
embroiled in that movement innocently, when Martin Luther King was asked
to organize the Montgomery Improvement Association to give the Boycott
support. Our Uncle was elected as Dr. King’s secretary in the first
organizing meeting. We endured many hectic , harrowing, tumultuous and
scary times as the boycott wore on for months!
Cujo along with the five children at that time were to learn many
lessons of endurance and overcoming that we were later able to engender
in our 2nd set of 5 children, including one set of twins. And today
just as Cujo, all 10 of our parents became success stories in our
communities and occupations that sprinkle the Department of Labor’s
Dictionary of Occupational Titles-being involved in our communities with
several different causes to make them better.
The reader might be interested in following the causes celebre this
writer is pursuing since Cujo’s death and in which he would have gladly
joined except for his demise. Those being the provider of housing for
the increasing disgrace and critical, growing more critically homeless
veterans crisis the more than 131,000 brave men and women, some with
children, face each day. See http://www.joseph haven on whittington for
homeless veterans and families.yola for an example. And after President
Obama signed on July 12, 2010, the legislation that gives veterans who
served in a ‘combat zone’ in any of America’s conflict less stringent
rules qualify compensation due to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Our company Cooper & Associates located in Dothan, Alabama (ph
334-446-1283, 405-2503 has launched a campaign to get these claims in
for them to begin to receive these payments.
As of a week ago, VA officials gave us their blessings for the effort we
are making in this regard. Some veterans will benefit who might not
would have as many need assistance getting their discharge upgraded to
become entitled to payments under this legislation. Please contact us
with any questions or suggestions about and other endeavors we have
committed to as you come across them as you read of them on our several
websites.
And now , it could not stop right there without wondering: What would
Cujo do, how would he respond as his face would come alive with that
‘go-head’ smile, yes that beautiful, winning smile he had as he would
pronounce with a commanding shout: “Lets Do This!!!”
p.s. My thanks to my Darling Wife, Renae, Cujo’s favorite sister-inlaw
for discovering this site yesterday. I was not aware it existed before
and now gives me comfort to know it’s here and to have more ways to keep
in touch with you wonderful truckers all over the nation. I am
continually amazed at the depth and reach Cujo had with America’s
truckers’ world. And I am deeply heartened at the deference and respect
you have shown me you had for my little Brother Cujo, my sidekick,
counselor, adviser Friend and best brother of any that I will ever know
in this life. UNTIL I see YOU AGAIN Cujo…What a Ride we enjoyed
TOGETHER!
His Brother Bill D, a handle he gave me.
APOLOGY!!!
I guess I should A fruit drink of some kind!! Desiree! will you forgive forgive me, for I have addressed you as “Donna’, one of the first respodents to your comments concerning what your relationship to John “Cujo” meant to you.
Alright, I have it. Donna was truly touched by your comments, ‘Desiree’, as many around the world have been. Forgive me, for I now know you as Desiree Woods and many, many thousands have been pointed to your (forgive the many typos)websites and the issues they address. So, Desiree, please forgive me and lets talk some more. I believe, as John: You could be a HIT and not even ‘know it’.
Such a pleasure to have known you. (and Donna, now that I know the difference between you…)
Bill D, the Handle John “Cujo” Cooper gave me so many years ago!
Greetings Everyone! As Cujo’s oldest sibling, let me say on behalf of our family that we are most grateful for the outpouring of sympathy for our brother’s decease. To the last one of us we know that a special person like him will be missed by so many he touched for a long time. He and I traveled many roads together during the time we were privileged to have him. I suppose his loss means the most to me as I was his Big Brother who had to turn to him many times for advice and guidance though my parents had entrusted his care to me as we grew up so impoverished in once racist Montgomery, Alabama in the 50s, 60s and early 70s.
The reader is invited to read of those times as they are chronologized on http://www.hbcuconnect.com,blackwomenconnect.com and several other sites across the web. What makes my family’s history so unique is that we as young children were caught up when I was age 9 in the Montgomery bus boycott when Rosa Parks (a west side neighbor) refused to give her seat to a white passenger. John was age 4. Would you believe we became embroiled in that movement innocently, when Martin Luther King was asked to organize the Montgomery Improvement Association to give the Boycott support. Our Uncle was elected as Dr. King’s secretary in the first organizing meeting. We endured many hectic , harrowing, tumultuous and scary times as the boycott wore on for months!
Cujo along with the five children at that time were to learn many lessons of endurance and overcoming that we were later able to engender in our 2nd set of 5 children, including one set of twins. And today just as Cujo, all 10 of our parents became success stories in our communities and occupations that sprinkle the Department of Labor’s Dictionary of Occupational Titles-being involved in our communities with several different causes to make them better.
The reader might be interested in following the causes celebre this writer is pursuing since Cujo’s death and in which he would have gladly joined except for his demise. Those being the provider of housing for the increasing disgrace and critical, growing more critically homeless veterans crisis the more than 131,000 brave men and women, some with children, face each day. See http://www.joseph haven on whittington for homeless veterans and families.yola for an example. And after President Obama signed on July 12, 2010, the legislation that gives veterans who served in a ‘combat zone’ in any of America’s conflict less stringent rules qualify compensation due to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our company Cooper & Associates located in Dothan, Alabama (ph 334-446-1283, 405-2503 has launched a campaign to get these claims in for them to begin to receive these payments.
As of a week ago, VA officials gave us their blessings for the effort we are making in this regard. Some veterans will benefit who might not would have as many need assistance getting their discharge upgraded to become entitled to payments under this legislation. Please contact us with any questions or suggestions about and other endeavors we have committed to as you come across them as you read of them on our several websites.
And now , it could not stop right there without wondering: What would Cujo do, how would he respond as his face would come alive with that ‘go-head’ smile, yes that beautiful, winning smile he had as he would pronounce with a commanding shout: “Lets Do This!!!”
p.s. My thanks to my Darling Wife, Renae, Cujo’s favorite sister-inlaw for discovering this site yesterday. I was not aware it existed before and now gives me comfort to know it’s here and to have more ways to keep in touch with you wonderful truckers all over the nation. I am continually amazed at the depth and reach Cujo had with America’s truckers’ world. And I am deeply heartened at the deference and respect you have shown me you had for my little Brother Cujo, my sidekick, counselor, adviser Friend and best brother of any that I will ever know in this life. UNTIL I see YOU AGAIN Cujo…What a Ride we enjoyed TOGETHER!
His Brother Bill D, a handle he gave me.
Dear Bill:
Thank you for writing to let us know more about “Cujo” , He is missed so much and the halls of our company are not the same without him. The photograph was reprinted and has been made available in our HR Dept. for those who want to have a copy. Covenant Transport has a facebook page where other drivers post.
I will forward your comments onto to others I know who will be interested in hearing this information you have shared.
Thanks,
Desiree Wood
Thank you for your kind words, Desiree, as well as for the gesture you have made to pass along the information I have cited. I am sure Cujo would be as my family, very pleased in keeping our brother’s memory in your thoughts.
Bill Cooper
Greetings
Everyone! As Cujo’s oldest sibling, let me say on behalf of our family
that we are most grateful for the outpouring of sympathy for our
brother’s decease. To the last one of us we know that a special person
like him will be missed by so many he touched for a long time. He and I
traveled many roads together during the time we were privileged to have
him. I suppose his loss means the most to me as I was his Big Brother
who had to turn to him many times for advice and guidance though my
parents had entrusted his care to me as we grew up so impoverished in
once racist Montgomery, Alabama in the 50s, 60s and early 70s.
The reader is invited to read of those times as they are chronologized
on http://www.hbcuconnect.com,blackwomenconnect.com and several other sites
across the web. What makes my family’s history so unique is that we as
young children were caught up when I was age 9 in the Montgomery bus
boycott when Rosa Parks (a west side neighbor) refused to give her seat
to a white passenger. John was age 4. Would you believe we became
embroiled in that movement innocently, when Martin Luther King was asked
to organize the Montgomery Improvement Association to give the Boycott
support. Our Uncle was elected as Dr. King’s secretary in the first
organizing meeting. We endured many hectic , harrowing, tumultuous and
scary times as the boycott wore on for months!
Cujo along with the five children at that time were to learn many
lessons of endurance and overcoming that we were later able to engender
in our 2nd set of 5 children, including one set of twins. And today
just as Cujo, all 10 of our parents’ became success stories in our various
communities and pursued occupations that sprinkle the Department of Labor’s
Dictionary of Occupational Titles-being involved in our communities with
several different causes to make them better.
The reader might be interested in following the causes celebre this
writer is pursuing since Cujo’s death and in which he would have gladly
joined except for his demise. Those being the provider of housing for
the increasing disgrace and critical, growing more critically homeless
veterans crisis the more than 131,000 brave men and women, some with
children, face each day. See http://www.joseph haven on whittington for
homeless veterans and families.yola for an example. And after President
Obama signed on July 12, 2010, the legislation that gives veterans who
served in a ‘combat zone’ in any of America’s conflict less stringent
rules qualify for compensation due to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Our company Cooper & Associates located in Dothan, Alabama (ph
334-446-1283, 405-2503 has launched a campaign to get these claims in
for them to begin to receive these payments.
As of a week ago, VA officials gave us their blessings for the effort we
are making in this regard. Some veterans will benefit who might not
would have as many need assistance getting their discharge upgraded to
become entitled to payments under this legislation. Please contact us
with any questions or suggestions about this and other endeavors we have
committed to as you come across them as you read of them on our several
websites.
And now , it could not stop right there without wondering: What would
Cujo do, how would he respond to our PTSD campaign, as his face would come alive with that
‘go-head’ smile, yes that beautiful, winning smile he had as he would
pronounce with a commanding shout: “Lets Do This!!!”
p.s. My thanks to my Darling Wife, Renae, Cujo’s favorite sister-inlaw
for discovering this site yesterday. I was not aware it existed before
and now gives me comfort to know it’s here and to have more ways to keep
in touch with you wonderful truckers all over the nation. I am
continually amazed at the depth and reach Cujo had with America’s
truckers’ world. And I am deeply heartened at the deference and respect
you have shown me you had for my little Brother Cujo, my sidekick,
counselor, adviser, Friend and best brother of any that I will ever know
in this life. UNTIL I see YOU AGAIN Cujo…What a Ride we enjoyed
TOGETHER!
His Brother Bill D, a handle he gave me.
I would delight in hearing by email from others who knew Cujo.