On Saturday, trucks lined the streets of Sweet Home in remembrance of Calvin Ray Emmert, 86, of Sweet Home, who passed away Friday, Feb. 23, 2024.
With over 40 log and dump trucks leading the way and an uncountable number of cars, a celebration of life convoy rolled through the town. Folks gathered to pay their respects to a longtime resident who touched the hearts of many.
The procession began at Emmert’s Liberty Rock Products on Berlin Road and ended at the Radiator Supply House where a feast had been prepared to welcome Emmert’s friends and family.
Nick Bottger, owner of Bottger Trucking, said of Emmert, “Cal was a man that wanted everyone to find God, he loved fishing and Alaska. He loved his friends and family and had a special impact on so many lives. Most of all he loved the Lord. In the six years I knew him I would say he is a man of few words, but the few words he spoke were impactful! He would give his shirt off his back and his shoes to you if you needed them. He would drop what he was doing to help others. Wish I had known him longer.”
Bottger knew Emmert from purchasing rock and doing business with him and Emmert’s son, Roger.
Bottger added, “He loved trucking, heavy equipment and spending time on the D9 Cat (Caterpillar).”
Of the convoy, he said, “He was a man you wouldn’t forget. I have dashcam footage of driving through Sweet Home and there were people lined up like a parade as we went through town.”
“On Sunday the church and the overflow in the fellowship hall was packed. I couldn’t even begin to tell you how many people were there today but that tells you how many people he impacted!”
Alongside the convoy friends and colleagues left comments on Facebook expressing their thoughts and sharing memories of Emmert.
“Calvin was a man of his word very honest, hard working God-trusting person,” said Al Severson
Debbie Armendariz said of Emmert, “Best memories. Cal touched hearts all around.”
But Charles Shaw probably captured the life of Emmert and the moment best when he called Emmert a “legend”.
[metaslider id=325585]Emmert moved to Sweet Home with his family when he was just one. He attended Western Mennonite High School where he met and later married Beverly Shenk on Dec. 14, 1956. Emmert owned and drove log trucks from 1961-1981.
He then partnered with Rod Wolfer and Tim Bagley to form Webco Road Construction from 1981-1989. In 1990, he opened Liberty Rock Products.
In 1994 his son, Roger, joined him and later became the principal owner of his father’s business. They had worked together for 30 years.
Emmert spent his working career driving trucks and operating Caterpillar (Cat) dozers. He hauled his first load of logs when he was just 15.
According to his obituary, Emmert’s older brother, Willis, had him take a load from the Upper Calapooia to Springfield. Willis, getting a kick out of the whole thing, thought it was funny; however, Emmert’s father, Floyd, did not concur because Emmert didn’t have his driver’s license yet.
Emmert hauled his last load of rock in October 2023 at the age of 85. He had 70 years of trucking.
Nick Robertson said of the event, “It’s always amazing to see the community come together to pay their respects and pay tribute to a member of the community. Cal touched so many lives in his lifetime. What an amazing tribute to such an amazing man.”
Terry Chase thanked the SHFAD and the Sweet Home Police Department (SHPD) for their help in making the celebration a success.
“I would like to take this time to thank SHFAD and the SHPD for all of their help yesterday what a great community,” said Chase.