10-4 Magazine / April 2025 69 Staying small also allows you to have a more personal connection with the drivers and their families. I read a review from a former employee and you’re doing it right when they say, “They treat their employees like family. If you’re having a crisis, they treat it like their own and really take care of you. With Kooy you ARE family.” A current employee said, “A very good company to work for, with new trucks and trailers, and they try to keep everyone busy.” To me, these comments speak volumes about a company – it’s the kind of place where good drivers want to work. Kooy is a well-known name in the Pacific Northwest. They specialize in refrigerated freight on the west coast and have been servicing their customers going on 53 years. Having downsized the operation a bit more recently, they currently own 12 trucks and run 10 of them. John credits the company’s success over the years with its high commitment to customer service and the quality of his employees. Keeping his company a true “family business” he feels fortunate to have his two sons, John Jr. and Michael, working alongside him since they both graduated from high school. John is proud of his accident free record, over the last 64 years, as he should be. He feels that one of the most dangerous things on the road used to be snow and ice, but now, in his opinion, it’s the phone. I have to agree with him on this. Being on the phone is probably a major contributor to some of the massive accidents that are happening all too frequently these days. People who are not paying attention or going too fast, then the traffic suddenly stops ahead of them, and then all hell breaks loose. The carnage it creates is horrible. In addition to the daily work truck fleet, John has a 1959 KW conventional 2-axle tractor and a 1962 Kenworth conventional 3-axle, as well. These are his hobby trucks. He is a very active member with the ATHS and the Cascade Chapter holds its annual meeting at his shop each January. At this meeting, a group of old drivers who love their old trucks get together, drink coffee, eat donuts and do what veteran truck drivers do best – share stories of the good old days – about friendships and memories after a lifetime of being on the road. When I asked John about retiring, he replied, “Retiring is just a thought. 80 isn’t old if you are a tree!” Having been able to maintain good health, he still loves the trucking lifestyle. John Kooy has been blessed and is grateful for all the experiences he’s had, over all the years and miles, and the friendships made with customers, drivers, and all the people he’s met throughout his travels. It’s been a great ride and it’s not over yet. We would like to thank our special friend Trevor Hardwick for getting us on the path to writing this story about John Kooy – a guy who has stayed small to better serve his customers! n
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