Oh lord, here I am not even a month later, writing a farewell post again. Who keeps scaring off our men into retirement? Which one of you did it? Come on now you’re not in trouble I just want to know the culprit. This Saturday the 28th we’re bidding adieu to our one and only Jim ( Y’know the one who isn’t Chris, doesn’t look like Chris, but is mistaken as Chris and vice versa). I suppose after 37 years here he’s decided it’s time to retire and scoot on off to spend time with loved ones, albums and sports.
Currently, Austin is considering who to carve beside him on the Marine Surplus version of Mt. Rushmore. No one can make the claim that he’s “like family” since he is simply family. Jim came in to help his niece, Debbie and nephew-in-law Fred, shortly after Marine Surplus opened. Since then he’s stuck it out with his all inspiring work ethic, dependability and hard work. She’s still amazed and appreciates everything he’s done over the years and is beyond grateful.
Customers will know him for his direct, often dry, though witty assessments of their issues. This never stopped him from coming up with an uncanny way of figuring out oddball solutions to their strange problems. This skill set is offered to the rest of us who have worked besides him as well, and to say he’s left a mark is an understatement.
While Nicki may be his niece, she said she views him also as a friend, as he always made time for her here and outside of work. Never making her feel like a burden and assisted her whenever possible. She’s also planning on making sure he assists her with a recipe for liver pate.
Tim is going to be incredibly bored without having his sports buddy to commiserate over whatever golf shenanigans happened recently. Those two have been together almost the same length so while I jest he’s going to miss Jim a ton.
I personally am losing someone who took me in knowing I knew nothing of boats and made sure I knew enough to not look dumb within the first month. Not to mention my fellow bird nerd and music aficionado. This is harsh y’all who’s going to point out the killdeer that are trying to be suicidal in the parking lot to me?
When Chris was pressed about his decades with Jim he somberly stated,
“You don’t tug on Superman’s capeYou don’t spit into the windYou don’t pull the mask off that old lone rangerAnd you don’t mess around with Jim”
While all of us here will miss him terribly, we are proud of what he’s accomplished here, and wish him nothing but the best with his retirement.
P.S. If you want to join in a pool on how long it takes for people to stop mistaking Chris for Jim, let me know 😉