PETERBILT PEGGY
THE LATEST PROJECT FROM CLINT MOORE
This month’s “creation” was built for Dennis Henderson of Scranton, KS. If that name sounds familiar to you, it is because one of Dennis’ other trucks was featured back in May of 2008. But this month’s article is not so much about the truck, but instead more about its driver, Troy Johnson, and his wife, the infamous “Peterbilt Peggy” of Kansas City Peterbilt.
Over the years, Clint has built several trucks for Dennis, who hauls concrete boxes, manholes and pipe. Since most of the job sites they deliver to do not have any roads yet, all of Dennis’ trucks are built tall and tough, and this latest one is no different. Dennis ordered the 2011 Peterbilt 389 much like his last one - with a Cat C15 for power, an 18-speed trans, 265” wheelbase, a 2-color factory paint scheme in dark blue and light blue, and a 46,000-pound AirTrac suspension with full locking differentials. This truck is sharp, but it would have been just another “Dennis deal” except for the fact that the driver that got this one is, in Clint’s words, “One of us.”
Troy Johnson of Basehor, KS is not only the lucky driver that gets to run this new rig, but he is also married to Kansas City Peterbilt’s beloved longtime receptionist, Peggy Johnson, known as “Peterbilt Peggy” by most people. Peggy has worked at KC Peterbilt for over eleven years and everyone loves her. Her dad Fred, who recently retired, was a mechanic there for many years. He helped Peggy get hired as a parts driver for one of their other locations, but six months later that store closed, so Peggy moved over to the main store. She worked in a few different departments before finally settling in as the receptionist.
Troy was born and raised in Chillicothe, MO. He hung out with several guys that were friends with Clint, including Jared Campbell. Clint met Troy back in 1998 when he came in with Jared, who was picking up a truck. Unfortunately, Jared was involved in an accident and lost his life. Clint went to Jared’s wake and still remembers all of the sorrow. Troy misses his old best friend, and still visits Jared’s grave every year.
A few years back, Troy and two of his friends went to lunch with Clint, and Peggy just happened to come along. It was obvious to everyone that Troy liked Peggy - a lot! Troy was looking to add another truck to his operation, and Clint had one he was interested in. Clint told him, “If you buy this truck, I’ll get you a date with Peggy.” The sale was a done-deal. Three months later, he bought another truck from Clint for his dad to drive and got a second date with Peggy. After some time passed, Troy decided to sell his trucks, move to Kansas City, and settle down with Peggy. The two got married in March of 2006. Clint would have been the Best Man, but the Louisville truck show was that weekend, so he didn’t even go to the wedding (Louisville always trumps a wedding).
Over the next few years, Troy worked for several different local trucking companies, mostly heavy-haul operations, before ending up as a driver for Dennis Henderson. Although he jumped around for a few years, he says that he learned a lot during that time, and now feels like he has found a home with Dennis.
When this truck finally arrived, Clint and the guys went to work. They started by adding one of Clint’s visors, two extra cab lights, cab and sleeper skirts, and stainless frame skirts. Clint’s dad also chopped the air cleaner screens. The shop ordered a set of Hogebuilt fenders and brackets for the truck, but when they arrived there were no brackets. Clint said, “We can build some hidden brackets with some metal we have laying around the shop.” Looking to help, Charlie from the Service Department took on the job and got it done. The dash plaque inside of the truck says, “Custom Built for I’ll Tell You Bout it Sometime” (which is a long and funny story).
Both Troy and Peggy have children from previous marriages - Troy has two daughters and Peggy has one daughter - and now the two of them together have a four-year-old son named Peyton. Peggy’s dad Fred Boer retired two years ago, and then last year, Peggy’s mom Sherridan lost her seven-year battle with cancer. Peggy’s parents were married for 38 years.
Anyone who has done business with K.C. Peterbilt over the last ten years knows Peggy. Clint calls her an “angel” and says she puts up with a lot from the guys at the dealership, but that she can joke and carry on with the best of them. Looking for greener pastures, she once left the dealership for a short while, but then came back and said, “You can make more money, but when you love your work, it’s not a job.” That sounds kind of familiar. No wonder Clint and Peggy get along so well - they both love their job!
~ If you would like Clint Moore to order and/or build you a new custom truck, contact him at Kansas City Peterbilt via e-mail at clintmoore@kcpete.com or call him at (913) 484-7768. You can also visit his website at www.custombilt4.com and check out pictures of other custom trucks he has built.