Alaska News

Alaskan trucker after 55 years: Passion is a must

Anchorage trucker Jim Doyle has spent 55 year hauling loads on Alaskan roads. And, according to the Peninsula Clarion and The Associated Press (via The Trucker.com), the owner of Doyle Fuel Services and Weaver Bros. Inc, never really thought about what he'd be doing in the future when he first set up shop in Alaska.

Doyle told the Clarion's Brian Smith:

Doyle first moved to Alaska from Montana in 1957, arriving with about $300 in his pocket. "At that time it wasn't much money, but on the other hand, in them days it was quite a bit of money," he said. "I don't remember what I left Montana with, but I would guess $500 or $600 maybe."

A blown tire near Moose Pass helped Doyle meet Ed Estes, who offered him a job driving trucks.

"There were no regulations then," Doyle said. "At that time the only thing that I could remember that we had to do ... was change and get an Alaska license within 30 days."

His first job was hauling between Moose Pass and Kenai, and he later switched to local fuel deliveries, which plenty of times featured visits with customers over coffee and donuts.

Doyle's advice to trucking enthusiasts?

For more on Jim Dolyle, visit The Trucker.com, here.

Craig Medred

Craig Medred is a former writer for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch and Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2015.

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