Trucker Buddy founder Gary King dies

June 14, 2007
Trucker Buddy International founder Gary King died after an extended illness on Friday, June 8th at his home in Elkhorn, WI. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 16

Trucker Buddy International founder Gary King died after an extended illness on Friday, June 8th at his home in Elkhorn, WI. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 16, at the Haase-Derrick-Lockwood Funeral Home in Elkhorn.

King was born April 23, 1946, in Princeton, IN. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he drove a truck for more than 30 years. In 1992, King, an owner-operator with Dart Transit at the time, began writing postcards to school classrooms as he traveled the country. With the help of corporate sponsors, his work evolved into Trucker Buddy International, today a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping mentor schoolchildren via pen-pal relationships with professional truck drivers.

Since 1992, more than a million children have participated in the program, which can be accessed at www.truckerbuddy.org.

A memorial fund for the family has been established. Contributions can be sent to: Gary King Memorial Fund, c/o Monona State Bank, P.O. Box 6500, Monona, WI 53716.

About the Author

Wendy Leavitt

Wendy Leavitt is a former FleetOwner editor who wrote for the publication from 1998 to 2021. 

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Boost truck leasing profits with telematics insights! Reduce maintenance costs, improve uptime, and strengthen customer relationships. Learn how data drives success.
This free guide outlines simple steps for hiring and onboarding commercial drivers while ensuring that you meet Regulation Part 391 and maintain fully compliant driver qualification...
Ready to boost fleet efficiency by up to 50%? Learn how AI-powered dispatch and next-gen tech are transforming TMS workflows, improving driver planning, and streamlining operations...
Gain a strategic edge in today’s evolving fleet landscape. Join us to explore how fuel cards are helping fleet managers cut costs, enhance control, and prepare for an electrified...