OAKWOOD — Staci Klayer believes her son, Brad, was destined from birth to be a truck driver.

His father, Jerry Klayer, has driven trucks for 30 years, and all Brad ever wanted to do was follow in his father’s footsteps.

Brad was born by emergency Cesarean section just two hours after his grandfather Jerry Klayer Sr. died from inoperable lung cancer.

“After the doctors gave Jerry’s Dad only a year to live, we decided to give him a grandchild before he died,” Staci said. “But sadly, he never got to see Brad.”

Staci finds it coincidental that her baby was born with a lung problem only hours after his grandfather died from lung disease. Brad came into this world with pneumothorax — a condition where air forms in the chest cavity, which could be fatal to an infant.

“Our son had only a 50-percent chance of surviving,” Staci said, but timely diagnosis and treatment from their Danville pediatrician, Dr. Jack Legett, saved Brad’s life.

The infant was rushed to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, where he stayed for two days. He returned to Danville to spend a few more days at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center.

When Brad was released from the hospital, his parents took a detour before going home. His dad first wanted to stop by the Con-Way Freight service center in Danville to show off his boy to co-workers.

In his blood

From that time on, trucking was in Brad’s blood, too.

By age 6, Brad was fascinated by trucks, and he dressed up as a truck driver like his dad for career day at school.

Now, at age 21, Brad’s dream of becoming a truck driver and working at the same place as his father has become a reality.

Brad had the distinction of being in the first graduating class of the new training school program offered by Con-Way Freight. He graduated last September with the highest grades in his class, receiving the “Top Gun” award.

“The best part is that Brad has a fantastic job guaranteed with Con-Way right out of school,” Staci said. “That’s a big accomplishment for someone his age.”

Father and son work different shifts, so it’s a rare treat for Staci when she has both of her men home at the same time.

While Jerry does the line haul to Cincinnati, Ohio, and puts in a 70-hour work week, Brad works to about 9 p.m. every day, making city runs in Illinois and Indiana.

Staci and Jerry, who live in Oakwood with their son, were sweethearts at Catlin High School. They graduated in 1982 and were married three years later.

Jerry’s first job was working for his father, who owned the former Klayer Ag Services, Inc. “I drove my first stick shift truck for my Dad even before I had a license,” Jerry said with a grin. “Back then you could get away with it.”

Before long Jerry decided to become a truck driver for Catlin Grain Co. because he didn’t want to work around hazardous chemicals all the time. He took the job at Con-Way Freight in 1989.

“I just seemed to fit with truck driving,” Jerry said. He especially likes the loading and unloading of the mixed freight that he hauls on his rig.

Many changes

Jerry said there are a lot more safety regulations in truck driving nowadays compared to when he got into the business.

“Also, we used to use pagers to get our next assignment, and they were going off all the time,” he added. “Now we get all our orders on a hand-held computer.”

When Jerry started in the trucking business there was no air conditioning, power steering, heated mirrors or delayed windshield wipers on the trucks — amenities that drivers take for granted today.

Staci recognizes both her son and her husband are perfectionists.

Brad said, “I’ve always said there’s two ways to get something done — a fast way and the right way — and I like to think that I do it the right way.”

Jerry said the worst part about truck driving is making runs in the ice, snow and wind, “especially when you’re pulling empties.”

Staci commented, “Now I have two of them to worry about out on the road.”

Brad’s favorite part about his job so far is working independently and meeting customers.

“I enjoy running into people that I know,” he said.

Staci keeps pretty well occupied with her full-time job as an assistant paralegal for the U.S. Attorney’s office in Urbana — a position she’s held for 19 years.

And in her free time she enjoys photographing nature subjects and landscapes.

Staci and Jerry have gone on many vacations, especially to beautiful beaches that she has photographed and enlarged for display in their home. She also enjoys baking and cooking big dinners for her son when he gets home at night.

Brad graduated from Oakwood High School, where he played football, baseball and basketball. He spends his free time with his girlfriend, Shelby Champine, who is a sophomore at Eastern Illinois University.

Tips to drivers

Brad offers a couple of tips for motorists who encounter trucks on the road.

“Please don’t try to pass a truck right before a construction zone,” he said, “and don’t drive right next to a truck, which is usually a blind spot for the driver. Realize that trucks take longer to start and stop than smaller vehicles.”

Jerry said that being a truck driver is a way of life for him.

“I sleep, eat, and drive,” he said.