Fulton Public Schools' Director of Transportation Bryan Abbott describes the district's mechanic, Dale Yancey, as a "hidden hero."
Yancey, who was named the first ever support staff member of the year, starts his days at 5:30 a.m., repairing any issues with the school buses and ensuring safe routes for drivers and students. Abbott said Yancey's job is one that often goes unnoticed, but is essential in day-to-day operations.
"If he wasn't here and doing his job, everyone would know," Abbott said.
Yancey, a Fulton native, came to work for Fulton Public Schools in 1992 as a bus driver after working as a truck driver. He traveled across the country in his previous job.
"I've been from the east coast to the west coast," Yancey said. "I've been down to south Texas. I've been everywhere."
While he explored various parts of the country, Yancey said he hated being away from his Fulton home for three to four weeks at a time. In 1989, Yancey and his wife, Nicki, had their first child, Justin, and Dale Yancey had a reason to stay home. A few years later, Yancey would be back on the road, but in much smaller, more manageable routes as a bus driver. Eventually, Yancey, who is self-taught in working with engines, was offered the position as a mechanic.
Nicki Yancey said she was glad when her husband decided to give up his truck driving job. They would have two more children after their eldest. She said her husband is a family man who keeps her, their three children and four grandchildren a high priority. Dale Yancey can often be found outdoors with his loved ones - cooking barbecue, shooting guns and riding four wheelers.
"He's just an outdoors type of person ... (Being outdoors and with family) is a stress reliever for him," Nicki Yancey said. "He's just happier."
Dale Yancey also finds joy in his work, Nicki Yancey said. When she was told Dale Yancey would be honored as the first support staff member of the year, Nicki Yancey said she wasn't surprised.
"He's very dedicated," she said. "He can be sick and doesn't want to call in ... He's just very dedicated. And, he enjoys it. I guess when you enjoy it that much it's not really a job."
However, Dale Yancey said the announcement shocked him. At Fulton Public Schools' recent End of the Year Gathering, Yancey said he began to doze off - he only slept a few hours the night before. When his name was called at the annual event, Yancey said he was in disbelief.
"I was sitting in the chair about half asleep and I thought, "Did he just call my name?' And everybody at the table was like, "Go, go, go!' It was a pretty big surprise," Yancey said.
The celebration was on the same day as the Yanceys 20th anniversary. Nicki Yancey said she didn't mind attending the End of the Year Gathering, though, knowing her husband would receive an award.
"I was proud," she said. "I was happy for him."
In addition to his role as a mechanic for the buses, Abbott said Yancey will fix other vehicles, cut grass, push snow and anything else he's asked to do. This was one of the reasons Abbott nominated Yancey for the honor of support staff member of the year.
"The thing that's most impressive about Dale is that he's always there in whatever role we need him," Abbott said.
Abbott said Yancey was in particularly valuable two winters ago when an extended period of cold temperatures moved into the Mid-Missouri area and buses needed extra care. Yancey worked overnight to keep the buses warm and prevent the diesel fuel from gelling.
"He knows how important it is that the kids get to school every day and he understands that we have to do whatever it take to get them there," Abbott said.