Doyle Archer, a 90-year-old from Kansas, has been officially recognized as the world’s oldest active truck driver by the Guinness Book of World Records. Archer began his trucking career part-time in 1964, transitioning to full-time in the 1970s. Over time, he found his way back to a trucking company owned by Rick Coomes, the son of an old friend. “Rick’s dad, Limon Coomes, and I were good friends back in the old days,” Archer said. ” Being an old friend of the Coomes family, I came back to Rick. They’re a very family-oriented company where you know everybody, and it’s a great place to work here, so I enjoy it. That’s the reason I stayed here so long. If it had been somewhere else, I’d probably give up long before this. I kind of like the family environment here.”
Having spent over 20 years with Coomes Inc., Archer cherishes his time on the road. “I love the freedom of being out in the open country compared to working in an office or factory,” I like the freedom of being out in the open country versus working in an office or factory,” Archer said. “There’s some jobs I could’ve had that would’ve been pretty good office jobs and so on, but I like the environment out here. You get to see the country,” Archer said. “I do every week what a lot of people spend money on to take a vacation every year,” he continued. “Last week, for example, I left here and went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, ended up in Arizona, to Salt Lake, to Denver and back, so I got to see a good chunk of the country, and that’s the whole reason right there. That and great people to work for here. Had it not been for that, I probably would’ve been looking to get out of it a long time ago.”
Owner Rick Coomes wishes Archer had joined their team 20 years earlier. “He’s a good, solid partner,” Coomes said. “You never have to worry about him doing his job. He just gets out there and does it.” Despite his age, Archer has no plans to retire. ” As long as my health is good, still able to pass the DOT physical in excellent shape, as long as my health stays good, I think I’ll stay a while yet,” he said.
Receiving recognition as the world’s oldest truck driver made Archer reflect on his long career. It brings out a lot of thoughts that I hadn’t realized accumulated over the years. Now I begin to look back and reminisce — why did I do this and that? — but I still like what I’ve done,” he emphasized. “It’s a recognition I never planned on getting, figured on, you know? It’s a great feeling to be there. I hadn’t planned it or anything. I’ve seen a lot of change in this country, and it’s an honor to get to see that from the trucks when we got started to what they are today.” After countless miles traveled across the U.S., Archer says Kansas holds a special place in his heart. “So much difference in the attitude of the people and the expectations of them. It’s a totally different ball game,” Archer said. “It’s great to be in this area, to be part of it and call it home. Even though I go to big cities, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, anywhere like that, and you see that versus coming back here, I’m gonna be here permanently.”
Age isn’t the only impressive number in Archer’s life. He’s been married to his high school sweetheart for 70 years, and together they have nine children, 25 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren. Archer’s story is not only a testament to his dedication to trucking but also to the rich life he’s lived and the countless miles he’s covered. Here’s to many more years on the open road for the world’s oldest truck driver!
Source: KSNW News Nation
Images: KSNW News Nation
