The trucking industry is mourning yet another tragic loss to our family with the passing of Jason Setterberg at the young age of 47 years old. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Jason was a truck driver for many companies, spending his last 10 years driving for our friend James Davis at his company JDT Trucking out of Medford, OR. A common sight at many 10-4 Magazine functions, Jason was a quiet and respectful guy who always had a smile on his face. Passing away suddenly from a heart issue in the early morning of March 16, 2020, Jason will be missed by all who knew him.
Born on March 26, 1972 in Portland, Oregon to Gary and Deb Setterberg, Jason grew up in Milwaukie, Oregon with his parents and younger sister Jennifer. He graduated from Rex Putnam High School in 1990. Jason was an early talker (no surprise to anyone who knew him). His smile, personality and quick wit always brightened any occasion. At a young age, Jason was attracted to big trucks, since his father Gary drove one. His desire grew, and by age 21, he had his CDL. He was a smooth driver and had a natural gift when it came to backing up into tight places that seemed impossible for most.
Learning from his dad at Setterberg & Son Trucking, Jason was also a mechanic. Then, the opportunity of a lifetime happened through a close friend, Todd Swinford, and Jason became a crew member for Shelly Anderson’s Top Fuel dragster. He worked on the right side of her engine, along with driving the custom truck and trailer, hauling the dragster. Over the years, he worked for several Pacific Northwest-based trucking companies but found his home and trucking family at JDT Trucking in 2011.
After driving a few different trucks for JDT, James bought and built a classy 1995 Peterbilt 379 for Jason, which he drove for the rest of his days. Painted copper and black and featuring a long wheelbase, along with many custom features, like dark tinted windows and lots of chrome, Jason treated that truck as if it were his own. James knew Jason for over 20 years, and really connected with him when they went trucking together, stating that he (Jason) drove almost exactly like him – nice and smooth – like an owner operator would. That is rare these days for a company driver!
With a passion for the water, water sports, boats, mini trucks and hot rods, Jason loved to create and build all sorts of machines – a passion he shared with his best friend of over 40 years, Jeff Andrews. Jason gained a second best friend when Jeff married Angie Andrews. On any given night, you could find these three together at a car show, out for dinner or, if it was a sunny day, out on the water in Jason’s boat. Jason was that guy that knew everyone, like Norm from Cheers! He was always the life of the party, whether it was Halloween and he arrived as Buford T. Justice, or at a wedding, showing off his dance moves to YMCA.
Loving all kinds of music, Jason played the Saxophone at a young age for a few years. He was a talented artist who loved drawing and designing trucks and boats, and he spent hours putting models together as a boy. As an adult, Jason advanced to racing slot cars with airbrushed paint and graphics – a hobby that lasted over 20 years (and earned him some extra money, too). His attire of choice, even if it was only 20 degrees outside, was always a pair of Dickies shorts, a trucking or boating t-shirt, and tennis shoes. Jason never lost sight of who he was and always made it easy for others to appreciate his presence.
Jason is survived by his Mother Deb Setterberg; Sister Jennifer Robarge (Drew) and her step-children, Jadyn and Justyn; Nephew Cade; Aunts Denise Thierfelder and Sue Casey; Uncle Ron Thierfelder; Grandmothers Fern Monaco and Sue Setterberg; Cousins Jessica, Matt, Jeff, George and Laurie. He was preceded in death by his Father Gary Setterberg; Grandfather Lou Monaco; Uncle Randy Casey; and Cousin Brittany Monaco.
Cremated at Crown Memorial Center in Tualatin, Oregon, a “Celebration of Life” party will be planned in the near future for Jason’s family and friends. All of us at 10-4 Magazine would like to express our heartfelt condolences to all of Jason’s friends and family – both biological and through trucking. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this difficult time. RIP, Jason, and keep smiling down on us from Heaven.
