At the age of 18, James Jones went to work at the La-Z-Boy factory in Newton making furniture. As the oldest boy of seven children, Jones took it upon himself to provide for his family after his father died. Wednesday, friends and family gathered at the factory as La-Z-Boy honored Jones with a ceremony to recognize his 50 years of service at the company.
Jones’ sister, Rose, recalled when her older brother started working at La-Z-Boy.
“It was 1968. I was 13-years-old, and our father had passed,” she said.
Rose said her brother worked hard to support her family and make sure each of his six siblings had everything they needed.
“He has been a very good supporter to our entire family,” she said. “He is a very good Christian man, and if there’s anything he can do to help you, he’s at your beck and call. You couldn’t ask for a better husband, a better son, a better father or a better friend.”
Jones’ family said from the start he showed an impeccable work ethic. When he went to work, he did his job and did it well. Rodney Jones, James’ nephew, said his uncle taught him a lot about the value of a hard day’s work.
“He’s got a very fine work ethic,” he said.
Rodney said he, too, spent some time working at the La-Z-Boy factory alongside his uncle. While there, he learned about making furniture, but also learned the value of getting to work on time, doing a good job and taking pride in the day’s accomplishments.
“He’s taught the children there’s nothing wrong with a hard day’s work,” Rosa said.
Jones, who announced he would be retiring Nov. 29, said he never saw himself spending 50 years at La-Z-Boy.
“When I came here, the idea was to work for a little while before I went to college,” he said. “Things came up.”
Throughout his years at the factory, he said, almost every aspect of the company has changed. Sometimes the change was for the better and sometimes not, he admitted, but that didn’t stop him from showing up for work every day.
Jones said it comes down to commitment. No matter what the job was, he said, he always tried his best. That, he said, has made the most difference.
“When I came here, I wanted to be the best that I could be,” he said. “I stay focused on my work. Whatever is going on outside, I leave that outside. I don’t bring my problems here. That is what has made me so successful.”
With his retirement, Jones said he refuses to do nothing. After some travelling to visit relatives abroad, he said he plans to come up with a wide variety of activities to keep himself busy. On the list are gardening, canning and starting a lawn service.
“I’ve got a lot of things in mind,” he said. “I’m not an inside person. I don’t sit around and watch T.V.”
Jones said he’s also very involved in his church, which has plenty of groups and activities to keep him occupied. And, if all else fails, he said, “I might take up fishing.”
