JOHN FORD
John Ford (50) is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, where southern customs and traditions still provide some of his fondest memories. Among them, Ford jokingly claims that his earliest encounter with George Dickel Tennessee Whisky was when his mother rubbed it on his gums to soothe the pain of teething.
While in elementary school, his family packed their bags and moved clear across the country to California because of a transfer in his father’s job. Upon graduating from high school, Ford joined the United States Navy. Ranked Senior Chief, he was a member of the elite Navy Seals serving as a Hospital Corpsman. Ford retire from the Navy after 26 years of service and then worked another 12 years as a county vegetation management supervisor.
John and wife Diane and their 16 year-old daughter Kristen, currently reside in Vacaville, California. He spends his retirement enjoying a variety of activities including cooking, cabinetry, writing, painting, and restoring cars. Ford has several of his paintings in the Pentagon and Smithsonian Institute.
Ford says that building the 1910 replica of the George Dickel delivery truck and driving it across America is a fulfillment of the American Dream. He enthusiastically states, "We still live in a country where people can do what their dreams dictate them to do. We’re looking forward to meeting the family of America on this trip.
BILL TERRY
Bill Terry (61) was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he enjoyed the pleasure of country living until joining the United States Air Force at the age of 18. He recalls that Dickel was a favorite as special family gatherings.
Terry was stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Vacaville, California the majority of his military career, but also spent a short time in Texas and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. While in the Air Force, he supervised maintenance for a variety of military aircraft. He retired from the Air Force after 24 years of service as a Senior Master Sergeant and then spent another 16 years as a maintenance supervisor for the Vacaville County Unified School System.
Terry very much enjoys his retirement. He still resides in Vacaville, CA with his wife Nonny. On most days, Terry can be found on the golf course with an enviable handicap of six, or restoring collector cars. "I can’t wait to show off my latest restoration project. I will show America anything can happen once you set your mind you set your mind to it."