FAIRBAIRN, JAMES D. “SQUIRREL”
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JAMES D. "SQUIRREL" FAIRBAIRN, age 63, of Preston, MN, died Friday, February 26, 2010, in Jupiter, Florida, as a result of a semi tractor trailer accident.
James David Fairbairn was born September 27, 1946, in Preston, the son of Ralph and Eldora (Driscoll) Fairbairn. He attended and graduated from the Preston Public Schools in 1965. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed overseas in Friedberg, Germany. Upon his return from service in the military, he married Carol Elaine Benson of Cresco, Iowa, at St. Columban Catholic Church in Preston on December 12, 1970, where the couple made their home. They were planning their 40th wedding anniversary in 2010.
James started his admiration at an early age for trucks and automobiles by being around them while he and his brother Doug worked at their father's gas station, Fairbairn Standard Oil. At age 16, he started his trucking career by driving locally for Denny Harvey Transportation. During his time in the military he was assigned to a transportation unit and transported supplies to planes en route to Vietnam. He was also very proud of the fact that he had the opportunity to transport Honest John Missiles during the war. Upon returning to Minnesota in 1970, he drove for Duke Schultz Transportation, Foster Grain Company and John Conway Trucking. In 1973 he went to work for Midwest Transport in Rochester and drove for them until 1984. While at Midwest Transportation, he earned the award for driving one million miles and 1200 hours without a preventable accident. From 1984-90, he drove for Waggoners Trucking of Billings, MT. From 1990-94, he drove for Babcock Trucking of Lewiston, MN. In 1994, he became an owner/operator and leased with Gulf Northern Transportation and then in 1998 switched to Lessors Transportation of Eagan, MN, until the time of his death.
James hauled freight to all the lower 48 sates and in the early '80s he hauled freight to Prudeau Bay, Alaska, during the development of the Prudeau Bay Pipe Line. What he enjoyed most about his career was the importance of his job, the adventure and the camaraderie of his fellow truckers. Over his 47 years as an over the road trucker, he had logged over 4 million accident free miles until the day of his untimely death.
James enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He enjoyed old car shows, antiques, Western movies, his vacation every year to Hayward, WI, having coffee, visiting with friends and making people smile and laugh.
He is survived by his wife, Carol; two sons, Justin (Leslie) of Menifee, CA, and Jason (Tricia) of New Ulm; daughter, Juanita (Craig) Morem of Harmony; nine grandchildren, Cody, Jake, Gavin, Cooper, Jack, Emma, Adasyn, Connor and Chloe; one brother, Douglas (Peggy) of North Ridgeville, OH; two sisters, Barbara (Dale) Montang, of Mason City, IA, and E. Frances (Robert) Sauer of Preston; nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and an uncle and aunt he held dear to his heart, Jack and Rose Connelly.
The funeral Mass will be 11 a.m., Thursday, March 4, 2010, at St. Columban Catholic Church in Preston with Rev. Tom Loomis officiating. Burial with military graveside rites will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Preston.
Friends may call at the Thauwald Funeral Home in Preston 5-8 p.m., Wednesday and at the church on Thursday an hour before the service.
