Lasting love: Man's passion carries him to his grave
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Doug Selck of Janesville owned this 1939 Chevy pickup truck, which he lovingly restored after purchasing it from a friend years ago. He loved the truck so much that he wanted the truck to take him to his grave. Selck died Nov. 17, and his family fulfilled his wish.
JANESVILLE — Long-time United Auto Workers member Doug Selck was so proud of his hometown-made 1939 Chevy pickup truck that he rode it to his grave.
Literally.
The story of this man and his truck—dubbed "his mistress" by his wife—starts when he bought the rundown pickup for $300 from a friend up north.
He drove it to his Janesville home and began pouring in his love—painting it blue and working on the engine, his wife, Judy, said.
Ties to the Janesville General Motors plant run deep in Doug's family.
To his father, who died in a train accident while working at the plant a couple months before Doug was born.
To his four brothers, who worked at the plant.
To Doug's 32 years of membership in UAW Local 95 and employment as a diesel mechanic for just as long at Allied, formerly JATCO.
To his stepfather, who also worked at JATCO.
And of course, to his truck.
But Doug suffered heartache during a five-year breakup with the truck.
When Doug and Judy bought the Northern Town Motel on the city's south side in 1993, Doug sold the truck, thinking they needed the money, Judy said.
"It broke his heart," she said. "He just had a hard time parting with that truck."
A couple years after the couple sold the hotel in 1997, Doug spotted the truck in the parking lot of a local credit union. Waiting until the owner came outside, he said, "You have my truck," Judy recalls.
The owner—not the original buyer Doug had sold it to—had finished the restoration Doug had started, adding the needed fenders.
The men became friends, and it took about six months before Doug told Judy, "I've got to have it back."
He ended up paying much more for the truck the second time, but Judy told him, "You're not ever going to be happy if you don't buy it."
Doug always told Judy about how the truck was built in Janesville, where he was born and raised. The only time he left the city was to serve in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1973 followed by a short job in Milwaukee.
"Janesville was his town," Judy said.
On nice summer days, Doug enjoyed rides around town in the truck. As his two sons Josh and Jason grew, so did the number of photos of them with the truck.
Doctors diagnosed Doug with lung cancer in September 2007, and in February his health forced him to retire.
Doug always teased his wife of 30 years, saying, "I want to go to my final resting place in my truck."
After battling cancer for more than a year, Doug died Nov. 17 at the age of 56.
And the family carried out Doug's final wishes.
His brothers and sisters carried his American flag-wrapped casket not to a hearse but to his truck, driven by his best friend and co-worker Kenny Hanthorn.
"We had to honor him that way when he passed away," said Judy, who rode in the truck.
Now, as Judy adjusts to life without Doug, she knows she'll always have a big piece of his him around.
"I'm going to keep (the truck) … keeping it for my sons," she said. "They're very proud of it and wouldn't want to see it go anywhere else."
Dec 15, 2008 at 5:16 p.m.
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when i read this story, it brought tears to my eyes. i met doug about 4 years ago where i work. my dad has worked with him at jatco for many many years. he loved his truck, we would talk about it. i will miss doug, as many others will. my love goes out to doug, judy, and their sons.
Dec 15, 2008 at 12:29 p.m.
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When I was younger (60 Now) I learned to drive in a truck like this. It's a wonderful experience to feel the wheel in your hands and the smell of the trucks age in the interior. Brings back many memories. May you rest in peace Doug.
Dec 15, 2008 at 11:34 a.m.
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Wow this was a great story! I actually had a few tears. My thoughts are with the family. I am glad they let him go in his truck one last time. I bet he was smiling the whole way!
Dec 14, 2008 at 10:19 a.m.
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This is a great story. I had an uncle that "rode" to the cemetary on the back of a flatbed wrecker (I hope that is what it is called). You should have seen the looks from the people who were waiting for the funeral procession to get by; which was very long. It was such a good feeling to see him take his last ride this way.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and may this help them get through the rocky moments.
Dec 14, 2008 at 6:02 a.m.
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My my brother in law passed away from cancer he had requested the same thing. They cruised around town with him in the back, stopping at some of his favorite places one last time. When we finally made it to the cometary, I thought the funeral director was going to have a nervous break down.
Dec 13, 2008 at 6:50 p.m.
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WOW Great story.....God Bless
STAY SAFE!!
Dec 13, 2008 at 6:09 p.m.
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What a wonderful story, and yes, may Doug rest in peace. Let us all show some compassion here too. Let us keep comments positve and warm during these trying and difficult times. Doug sounds like he was a wonderful person.
Dec 13, 2008 at 4:50 p.m.
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Rust in peace...I mean rest in peace my friend.
Dec 13, 2008 at 2:42 p.m.
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stylebabe does not have much class at all. The question was not so much about G.M. but wondering how many other people who have worked there have gotten lung cancer. Ever stop to use your brain, assuming she has one that maybe there is a reason they wondered. Not so much about G.M. if you stopped to read.
Dec 13, 2008 at 1:06 p.m.
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I've seen this truck around town. I have admired it, wished I was able to obtain it for myself. But, now that I know the story behind it, I would never think of taking it from its rightful owners-- the Selck family! I will admire it from afar as that is where it's needed to stay!
Dec 13, 2008 at 11:42 a.m.
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This was a wonderful story; I wish there were more like this to publish in the paper. But I must comment on "PAT"'s little blog... NOT EVERYTHING IS ABOUT GM !!!!! did you read the story... auto mechanic he did NOT work at GM. I am getting sick and tired of the GM whining! get over it...companies close... people lose jobs... it sucks but it happens. You get over it and look for another one.
Dec 13, 2008 at 8:52 a.m.
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Doug was our neighbor on the southside and you knew it was a beautiful summer day when you saw Doug in the truck. As an old car buff myself, he finally took me for a ride and it really was quite a truck.
Dec 13, 2008 at 6:51 a.m.
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What a sad, but wonderful story. My prays are with the family. But I do wonder how many people who worked at G.M. have died from lung cancer? More interested in the ones who did not smoke.
Dec 13, 2008 at 1:35 a.m.
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Sweet truck and a very sweet story. I could swear that I saw this truck this past week or so while stopped at a red light on Milton Avenue. The beautiful blue color attracted my eye to it. My blessings to Mr. Selck's family (and his truck).
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