Jackie Curlin was building and remodeling houses when a Hickman-Fulton Counties RECC superintendent asked him to consider linework.

A few days later, Curlin called the superintendent with an answer.

“I tried it out and ended up staying 25 years,” Curlin said.

Gibson Electric Membership Corporation, which merged with Hickman-Fulton Counties RECC in 2016, hosted a reception recognizing Curlin’s retirement in June. In addition to the merger and a new member service center built in Clinton, Curlin saw plenty of changes during his time as a lineworker. The basics, however, never changed.

“The technology has been the biggest change I’ve seen,” he said. “But we still climb poles and use a bucket (truck).”

With his experience building houses, Curlin was naturally service-minded. Applying those skills at Gibson Electric was an easy transition.

“I’ve always liked helping people,” he said. “It’s not just a job. If you make people happy, your day is happier.”

Curlin also enjoyed spending time with the Hickman, and later, Clinton crews.

 “We joked around with each other, and that made the day better,” he said. “I’ve worked with some good people. This has been a good place for taking care of my family.”

Curlin said he would miss the camaraderie and talking with people in the community.

“I always enjoy talking to people,” he said. “And most people want to talk.”

Curlin has no concrete plans for retirement, but he has returned to his carpentry roots, working part-time. He and his wife, Vickie, son, Zack, and grandchildren Collier and Sophie enjoy spending time on the lake, and he looks forward to having more time with them.

“I’m just going to piddle around and do whatever I want to do,” he said.

“We thank Jackie for his years of dedicated service and wish him all the best in retirement,” said Gibson Electric Vice President of Engineer­ing and Operations Barry Smith.