Some people stay committed to a job for 20 years, some even 30. But few can say they have worked at the same place for 50 years.
Hugh Corpening is one of those people. At 91 years old, Corpening has worked at Lake James Fire and Rescue since it was started in 1969.
“It’s quite a few years to be in an organization,” Corpening said.
Corpening is still with the organization and answers calls as a traffic officer on a regular basis. About a month ago, Corpening responded to one of those calls when there was a wreck just down the road from the fire station.
“When the calls come in, he comes,” said Alexander Corpening, Hugh’s nephew and current LJFR Chief. “He gets his vest even if he has to sit on the tailgate of his truck.”
Corpening said he’s stuck with the department for so long because he loved to be part of something bigger, especially after serving in the Army and Air Force with overseas deployments to Japan and Korea.