Leader retires after 26 years

THOMSON, Ga. - Jack Hobbs is ready for a break.

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For the past 26 years, he's served as the president of Chapter 1364 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association.

Chapter 1364 is based out of McDuffie County and meets at the Thomson Depot.

"I've enjoyed every bit of it," said Hobbs, a Columbia County resident, during a recent ceremony in his honor at the Depot. "Y'all are the backbone of this chapter, and you always have been."

Hobbs was born and raised in Jefferson County. He enlisted in the Army during WWII and served in the South Pacific. After being honorably discharged, Hobbs took a job as a truck driver at Camp Gordon in 1950. Twenty-nine years later, he retired as an assistant foreman.

That same year - 1979 - he joined NARFEA. A short while later, he became only the second president of the local chapter.

During the Feb. 15 gathering, chapter members gave him a standing ovation for his service. He also received several plaques and a certificate of recognition from the national organization.

Milton Keene will be taking over as the new chapter president. Hobbs said it was time to pass the mantle to someone else.

"When you get old, you start forgetting the good times," he said, as his lips curled into a smile. "But I remember."