W.L. “Larry” Jackson has delivered a ton of mail during his 30 years with the Postal Service at Anderson.
He has delivered everything from cards and letters to bees to chickens to human ashes. He has even helped rescue a couple of customers.
Today, Jackson was honored with a 30 years service pin, an engraved clock, and a letter of recognition from Julia Boykin, Manager Post Operations Area 1. Paula Phillips, postmaster at Anderson, made the presentation on behalf of the Postal Service.
Jackson and his family are very active in the Anderson community. His wife of 33 years, Melissa, is the branch manager at Wachovia Bank. They have two daughters, Sally – a physical therapist assistant who graduated from Wallace State, and Laura – a student at UNA. Both girls graduated from Anderson Junior High School and Lauderdale County High School.
When asked what was the most unusual thing he ever delivered, Jackson was quick to say “human ashes.”
“Several years ago, I had a customer whose relative had passed away in another state. The ashes were mailed back here and I delivered them,” said Jackson. “I’ve delivered bees, chickens, and I have even delivered some lizards.”
Although he has a degree in accounting from the University of North Alabama, Jackson chose to work for the Postal Service as a rural carrier.
“I like working outside. I found out pretty quickly that I did not like being cooped up inside very much,” Jackson said with a smile.
Jackson has even had his share of rescues.
A few years ago he had an elderly customer whose mail was still in the box from the day before. Jackson knew that this man always cleared his mailbox, so he went to the door to check on him. The customer had had a stroke. Jackson called for medical help and the customer later recovered.
His latest rescue came just a few weeks ago. While working a mailbox on his route, Jackson noticed that something just didn’t look right across the road where a tractor was sitting in an unusual direction.
He pulled over to check on the customer who was sitting on the bank of the ditch. The customer had just had a tractor accident and had a broken leg, among other injuries. Jackson went for help, came back and waited with him until Medflight arrived. It was because of Jackson being alert to his surroundings and diligent on his watch that he was able to help.
When asked if he has any plans for retirement, Jackson smiled and said, “Not anytime soon. I like what I do.”
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