At Palmer Trucks, we have the privilege of working with some of the finest trucking operations in the industry. But every once in a while, we encounter a story that goes beyond business partnerships – one that speaks to the heart of what makes this industry special.

Circle J Transport, located around Kenworth of Fort Wayne, recently reached an incredible milestone: 3 million miles on one of their Cat-powered Kenworth trucks, earning recognition in the prestigious Cat® Million Miler Program. The Cat Million Miler Program celebrates trucks and operators who demonstrate exceptional reliability and commitment, honoring those who reach one million, two million, three million miles, and beyond.

A Milestone Rooted in Legacy

This achievement carries a deeper significance. The driving force behind Circle J Transport was Doug Jackson, a man who poured his heart and soul into building a company that prioritized people over everything else. His fourteen years of Army service, from November 1985 through September 1999, shaped both his character and his career. Throughout his military service, Sgt. Jackson learned, refined, and certified the driving and mechanical skills that later helped him build Circle J from the ground up. Doug believed in keeping his drivers home for what mattered, maintaining a fleet that stood tall with pride, and working alongside his team to ensure every detail was perfect.

Doug passed away in late 2024, leaving behind a legacy that his wife, Cheryl Jackson, is now working to uphold. When we reached out to celebrate this 3 Million Miler achievement, Cheryl sent us an email that moved everyone on our team. Her words paint a picture of the man behind Circle J Transport and the challenge of stepping into shoes that can never truly be filled.

We felt it was important to share Cheryl’s email in its entirety, as written by her. Her story is a powerful reminder of the dedication, sacrifice, and family bonds that drive this industry forward.

Cheryl’s message:

Good morning, 

When I received this email, I found myself speechless for numerous reasons and I had to sit and ponder all of this over the evening and most of this morning.  This is a very bittersweet “milestone” for Circle J Transport.  Had I any idea this was why I was asked for some of the details that I was asked for, I quite honestly would have given Doug Jackson’s name, and not my own. 

Circle J Transport meant the world to my husband, Doug Jackson, and next to his family nothing was more important than its success. Doug gave 100 percent 24/7/365 and then some to Circle J.  Starting with the drivers, he always wanted to make sure his drivers, and their families were always taken care of.  He did everything he could to keep the guys from being out on the road longer than they needed to be and if at all possible that they were always home for their weekends.  It didn’t stop there, if there was a family event, kids sports, school concerts family get togethers or doctor’s appointments, Doug always did everything to make sure that driver was home for whatever they needed to be home for.  He also made sure that the fleet was in great shape so that if one of our drivers ever found themselves being inspected, they would pass with flying colors, and they always did.  He also wanted the drivers to be comfortable in and proud of the trucks they drove for us.

The trucks are older, not because he couldn’t invest the money in them, but because he liked them older.  Doug could, and more times than not, did get his hands dirty fixing the old girls.  When a problem was “above his pay grade” and had to go to the professionals, he worked only with the best and he stayed involved with every repair every step of the way.  He would sit with the mechanics either on the phone or in person and talk for literally hours about not only the most affordable way to fix whatever the issue was, but also the best way(s) “Well, if we are already there, should we go ahead and do…” He also loved to see his trucks “standing tall”! Chrome! There wasn’t enough chrome ever for Doug Jackson!  

The months before we lost him, Doug was concerned about his health and doing everything he could possibly do to complete projects in both his personal and professional life.  There were way too many projects and not enough of him to go around and when he was taken so abruptly from us, we all quickly learned just how many projects he had in the works and all the knowledge he had pertaining to the business and the seven trucks. 

In the last 11 months, I have learned that my size 8 flip flop feet are not very comfortable in his work boots, but I am adjusting more and more each day.  Thanks to people like Brad and the team at Palmer I am sitting down and having those really long talks and learning more and more about the seven “Ol’ Girls” that make up the Circle J fleet.  

I apologize for the extremely lengthy email, but I felt it was necessary for you to be able to understand where I am coming from when I say, I am all about you and the Million Miler Program recognizing Circle J Transport and Doug Jackson, but not me.  Next July (2026) Circle J will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary.  I have only been around for the last half and that was “driving” an office chair.  Doug Jackson was the very pulse of Circle J Transport and all that it is.  I am merely here attempting to shine everything back up like a pretty new penny in the way he had it before we lost him.  

Thank you for understanding.

Cheryl Jackson

The Road Ahead

Circle J Transport’s 3 million-mile milestone represents more than distance. It reflects the care, pride, and people-first values that Doug Jackson built into the company. We are honored to recognize this achievement and to support Cheryl as she carries forward the legacy that made Circle J what it is today.

Photo: Cheryl receiving million miler awards from CAT at Kenworth of Fort Wayne

Photo: Employees from CAT and Palmer Trucks with Cheryl outside Kenworth of Fort Wayne

By: Tim Stang, Palmer Trucks