He’s 98, a WWII Vet, And Finds Joy Working at Lowes 3 Days a Week

You might think a WWII vet would be resting at home or making frequent visits to the doctor, but one special New York WWII veteran works at Lowe's 3 days a week. The 98-year-old, Ron Gibbons, is very satisfied with this arrangement.

98-Year-Old Veteran Works at Lowes

He works 3 6-hour shifts at Lowe’s in Ulster, N.Y., each week. The vet, affectionately known as “Mr. Ron,” has worked there for the past 17 years.

"When I was drafted out of high school, the war in Europe had just ended. They didn't know what to do with a large number of people who had just been inducted," he shares. "I went to boot camp, and after completing boot camp, I was assigned to a ship's company for three months."

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He was drafted while in high school and never got his diploma. He was stationed on the USS Hornet (CV-12), one of the first ships to launch attacks after Pearl Harbor, outside of San Francisco. 

"I finally got on the Hornet for six months. I didn't see any action at all, and thank heavens for that," Ron says. "It was a good experience. Service teaches you many things that you don't learn on the outside."

After the war, he attended college for two years and worked at General Electric. Later, after being laid off, he joined IBM, where he worked for 35 years.

He Never Really Retired

He couldn’t sit still after retirement, so he did odd jobs and started a part-time lawn business. When some friends suggested he join Lowe’s, he did and never left.

His motto is, “You rest, you rust.” So he gets up early every day, at 5 am.

He loves working in Lowe’s garden center, where he likes to interact with customers and employees.

"I enjoy meeting people, and that's a big part of why I stayed here, is because the people are so great to work with," Ron said. "When I first joined here, they were so helpful and anything I wanted or needed, they were there. It's a compliment to the staff and the management and the department that I worked in and all over Lowe's." 

"I keep coming back to work 'cause I've seen so many people who retired that don't do anything, and they waste away," he said. "This gives me the opportunity to keep my mind active and keep doing physical activity and doing something. I like working with people and enjoy what I'm doing."

His favorite parts of his job are “working with a customer” and “working with the people that I work with. It makes the job easier.”

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Customers Love Him

"And working with the employees to help sell more things, and to keep myself active, and to work with the people,” he adds. “I enjoy the customers. I directed barbershop quartets for 30 years, and so I know crowds and enjoy people.”

Regular customers come looking for Mr. Ron.

"Two months ago, I was in a conversation with a couple, and we were both in the Navy, and a month later, he came back, and he gave me a model of an aircraft carrier that he built. It's really fantastic," Ron said. 

He Loves to Stay Busy

He always finds a way to stay busy. 

"I work around the house and outside. And in the wintertime, I work down in the basement. I have a lot of tools. I do a lot of woodworking work," he shares. 

He got his work ethic and personality from his mother and father. His father worked until he was 80, and his mother was a “people person.”

Ron’s work is important, but the real lights of his life are his family. He’s been married to his wife for 67 years.

"You have to take every day that the sun's gonna come up and you have to be ready, whether it's sunny, cloudy, or a gut punch. We've had 'em all,” he said of his marriage. 

They have 4 kids, 10 grandkids, and 10 great-grandkids. 

Honored on Veterans’ Day: ‘Best Day Ever’

Ron and other veterans, including his nephew, who’s in the National Guard, were honored at Lowe’s on Veterans’ Day.

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“One of my best days ever,” Ron said.

"'What are you gonna do when you reach 100?'" Ron says people ask him. "I said, 'Well, get new teeth and wear a diaper,'" he jokes. 

Ron is an excellent example of a hard-working person. His drive to work and live keeps him going and staying strong—what an inspiration!

WATCH: He’s 98, a WWII Vet, And Finds Joy Working at Lowe's 3 Days a Week

LISTEN: Retired Teacher Needed a Kidney, and a Former Student Answered the Call | She’s 101, Still Working Six Days a Week—Happily

h/t: People

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/NBC News

Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.