In Memory of Scot Marone October 6, 1965 – August 28, 2024
Jay Shetty said it best: “People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.”
Scot Marone was a “people person”. He was a guy who came into your life, made an impact on it and left you a better person for having been his friend.
Scot was a versatile man. He was a Professional Truck Driver and the owner of Marone Transport, LLC. He was also the founder/owner of 18 Wheel Truck Productions, LLC, which produced the yearly and very popular Wheel Jam Truck Show, which features the Dynamic Engine Brake Contest and is held annually at the Huron State Fairgrounds in Huron, South Dakota. He was a Farmer and an Outdoorsman, enjoying riding horses, snowmobiles, and motorcycles. He was a true rocker, driving down the interstate in his 18 wheeler listening to Metallica and attending 21 ZZ Top concerts with his fiancée Tracy Bratland Bruns. He was in the stands cheering on his son Tanner during sporting events.
Scot died on August 28, 2024, from pancreatic cancer. In May 2024, he gathered his 18 Wheel Truck Production, LLC staff for a meeting shortly before the 21st Annual Wheel Jam Truck Show was to be held and informed them of his diagnosis. He was insistent that the show MUST go on. With a week before the truck show, Scot had a stroke and brain bleed but battled back and returned home in July. He spent his days with his family and friends, received at-home therapy, and made visits to local businesses.
On August 24th, Professional Truck Drivers - PJ Brink, Aaron Puterbaugh, Jason Steele, Stephanie Steele, Charlie and Juanita Steele, Jerry Kleinsasser, Jr., and Bobby Wallum treated Scot to a “Mini Wheel Jam” by driving past his house in their trucks. Scot, Tracy, Tanner, and Scot’s brother Dave gathered in Scot’s driveway to watch the trucks parade by.
Scot was very appreciative and always took the time to compliment you for a job well done. He was kind, caring and sharing. He had that deep laugh that made you smile and join him in the merriment. His family (and friends) truly meant everything to him, including his and Tracy’s cat, Sylvester Stallone Marone.
A group of wonderful Professional Truck Drivers escorted Scot’s casket to the cemetery for his burial. Truck Drivers traveling the other side of the interstate, pulled over in reverence to pay their respects to Scot.
I personally have known Scot for at least 18 years, we helped promote the Wheel Jam Truck Show in Movin’ Out and we have attended some of the shows. We spoke on the phone frequently and exchanged emails. Scot always stopped by our booth at the Mid-America Trucking Show. We started out as business acquaintances but over the years, we became friends. We talked politics, trucks, farming, and of course we shared so many stories about our families.
Last year I was writing a story about the 20th Anniversary Wheel Jam Truck Show held in 2023 (which I attended). I did a phone interview with Scot (and Tracy) after the event and I asked Scot what his future goals for the Wheel Jam Truck Show were. His reply was simple, “Keep growing and make the Wheel Jam Truck Show the premier Truck Show in all of North America! We had a lot of post-show comments from our contestants and sponsors/vendors that this is the best show in the country hands down. So this feat should be sustainable with continued growth in the years to come.” Scot’s family and friends intend to continue Scot’s legacy of the Wheel Jam Truck Show and planning for the 2025 show is already in the works.
Scot definitely came into so many lives for a reason, a season and a lifetime. You will be missed, my friend but never forgotten.