Meter Reader Jerry Mangum is On the Go

Meter Reader Jerry Magnum is happy to be out of the Army and spending time with his teenage daughter and new wife. He's taking college courses and playing a little basketball "when I get a chance."

But, the Army isn't quite out of him yet. Three years after retiring as a Master Sergeant, he's Commander of American Legion Post 518, the Legion's 11th District Vice Commander, Vice President of the Johnston County Veteran's Committee, a member of the county Veteran's Advisory Board and a Group Leader at his church.

"On the go" is how he lives.

"If it gets to be too much, I'll give some of it up," he says. "But, it's fun right now."

He got into Army life rather innocently--"It's a job. You have to feed your family"--but leaving it wasn't easy after 28 years. It took a longing to spend more time with his daughter to make the break.

"It's been a huge adjustment, a nice adjustment," Jerry said. "Life is good. Also, being with the Town of Clayton is a good fit--a friendly, engaging place to work."

Jerry, who was born and raised in Clayton, is nearing a degree in Business Administration at nearby Mt. Olive Community College, so the future is still full of possibilities, something Jerry relishes almost as much as the relationships he's built both in the Army and during his "second life" back in town.

"He's just one of those people," said Customer Service Supervisor Ann Game. "I wish I had multiples of him. He does a great job, and he cares about people."

She said he inspires others with his positive attitude and perpetual sunny disposition.

"He always has a smile on his face," Ann said.

Jerry said he picked up his philosophy of life as a child, and it has served him well over the years: "You treat people the way you want to be treated, and life will be nice."