Memories photo conjures remembrance of gas station

Dear Editor,

Seeing Ray’s Standard Station photo in your paper brings to mind many memories of a different time.

Ray Coleman hired me to pump gas and clean his station when I was 14 years old in 1966. I worked after school until nine or ten at night, then Saturdays and Sundays all day during the school year. In the summer I went back to the farm to help dad. My job was always waiting for me when school started again. Ray became an important friend and mentor in my life. He was always there for many other youngsters as well in our community.

Ray’s business thrived. If you wanted work done, he would schedule you in his black book. Sometimes two week’s out. His mechanics, Will Crasco and later Stan Wombold, worked hard along side of Ray, getting the work done and when I showed up after school, that shop looked like a hurricane had hit it.

Each gas customer who drove up to the pumps was treated with courtesy and respect. It = was “yes Mam” and “yes Sir,” always. They got all their windows washed outside…mirrors too. Tires were checked along with oil, washer fluid, battery fluid, belts and hoses all free of charge and if you didn’t have to reach over anyone, the ashtray was dumped. Gas was 36.9-cents per gallon.

Ray impressed upon me that a good employee will find something to do, even when there is nothing needs done. His moral and work ethic has served me and other young boys well in our lives and I prize my memories with Ray, Will and Stan at Ray’s Standard.

Clair Waters