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Abandoned Angels

Written by: Yvette VanDerBrink

They say the Lord works in mysterious ways, and John Crabtree is the poster child for this old saying. If you ask John, he never would have guessed his path would lead him to having a heart for kids in Ukraine. In fact, he’ll tell you he should have been dead several times over. You have to be tough – living out in western South Dakota and Wyoming – and John’s got the stories and battle scars to prove the West is still wild.

John grew up on a ranch in Torrington, Wyoming. School was easy, so he got bored easily. John’s rambunctious attitude had a tendency to get him in trouble. Kicked out of school and in trouble, John left home at 15 and headed to Montana to set out on a new path. The path led him to breaking horses and working in oil fields. John eventually found a job at a grocery store and tried starting school again. He discovered being from Wyoming wasn’t easy in a Montana school, and headed back home. John showed up back in Torrington as one of the best dressed “brokest” cowboys there was. After talking to his mother, the school took him back and he was encouraged to write poetry by an English teacher. John graduated high school and landed a job at the Colorado Auto Auction. John bought a Ford Model T and drug it with him around the West. He sold some car parts and started his car business selling parts and projects.

Life wasn’t easy for John. He loved and lost several wives, and almost lost his life in the process. It was his bull attitude that almost got John killed by a couple of guys who thought his nose was out of joint. The guys were waiting outside for John and almost beat him to death. He remembers hearing them talk about how they were going to get rid of his body. The two men passed out and John made it home. John put pen to paper again, and wrote a poem about the encounter, called “Cowboy at the Gate.” Years later, the poem was read at one of the men’s funeral. John has had his house burned down and money stolen. He’s loved and lost, and thought good luck wasn’t coming his way. When John was younger, he had a bad experience with a preacher and a church, and he wasn’t going to set a boot in the door again. Years later, a friend stopped in John’s shop and told him that an ex-gangster was talking at his church. John went to church and the words this ex-gangster said hit home. It was like God was calling to John. John accepted Christ as his savior, and walked out of the church with his load lifted, ready to start a new life. This new-found salvation didn’t come easy, and he found himself alone again.

John was busy selling parts and cars, and going to auctions all over the world. John found time to write poetry and do readings of his cowboy poetry. The truck was a little lonely on those long trips to get cars, and John ventured to Ukraine after correspondence with a woman. He packed his bag, ventured off his quiet 80 acres, and went to look for love. But when he got to Ukraine, he was unlucky in love again. With time to spare, John was looking for something to keep him busy until he headed home. His interpreter said, “There are kids in orphanages that would love to meet a real cowboy.” John always had a soft spot for kids and gladly accepted the invitation, but he wasn’t ready for what he’d see. With his big Stetson and matching grin, John walked through the doors. The kids could hardly contain themselves – a real cowboy, just like in the books!

But John couldn’t overlook the fact most of them didn’t have shoes. Like a true Midwesterner, he went into action to fix this wrong. John took his own money and bought treats, boots, hula hoops, and other toys for the kids. There were 50 children and John could only buy 45 pairs of boots. It broke his heart he couldn’t buy boots for all of them, but he has made other trips to the orphanages and bought more boots. John came home not finding a wife, but a new love – a love for the children of Ukraine.

John hasn’t told many people, but word got out about what he was doing and he received numerous donations. John called VanDerBrink Auctions, saying that he wanted to sell out to help raise more money and awareness for the kids of Ukraine. John will be selling his entire collection on July 30, 2016 at 9:30 AM at his place in Edgemont, South Dakota. If necessary, the sale will carry over on July 31, 2016 at 9:30 AM. This collection of approximately 120 vehicles, along with hundreds of vintage car parts from Model T to 1960s GM, will be sold with no reserve. Just outside of Custer, South Dakota is 80 acres of Wild West and Western Iron. There will be pickups, Model T’s, a 1950 Ford Woody Wagon project, a 1935 Chevrolet 3 Window Coupe, and several Bubble Top Impala projects. There are 1930s and 40s bodies for rod projects everywhere. You can find hundreds of fenders, hubcaps, trim, motors, and much more. The vehicles will be offered online and live, and parts will be for bidders ON-SITE only at the auction. You’ll want to be there in person for this amazing auction. Also, there is no cell phone service.

What better reason to buy cars and parts, but to help John help kids in Ukraine? John’s road has been a rough and tumbled one, but it looks like this cowboy is ready to hang up his hat and settle back in life. Turn from all the cars to helping kids, and maybe a new love will come along. “It’ll be welcome, but I’m not really looking,” John says.

I’ve known John for over 15 years. He was one of my first auction customers and I was always glad to see him. His smile from under his Stetson helped me remember that I’m a South Dakota gal. It’s always good to remember that it’s the earth under your boots that keeps you grounded. John has always had a kind heart and made time for people, especially by enlightening them with his poetry.

There is something for everyone on this auction. You won’t want to miss your chance to view a wonderful selection of cars for rod, project, and parts. There are hundreds of parts and we’ll be kicking it off Saturday with the cars and rolling into the parts that day. If need be, we’ll be there with more parts on Sunday. For pictures, videos, more event information, and more auctions, visit www.vanderbrinkauctions.com or call 605-201-7005. See you in the beautiful Black Hills the weekend of July 30, 2016! TMM

July 2016

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