On October 30, at 2:30 p.m., a retirement party was held at the Crest Office Building for Locomotive Engineer Lacy Hobbs. Friends and co-workers gathered around as a cake was served and Lacy was presented with a Union Pacific gold watch by MOP Bob Hestes and a rain suit from Division 187 of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers by Mickey Cowling. Van Driver Paula Farnham gave Lacy a dozen "Top Flight" golf balls.
Later in the afternoon, Conductors Hoppy Lillard, Jack Veasey, Byron Box, Jerry Scott, Harry Clauser and Engineer Edgar Lee Cox held a surprise barbque supper in Lacy's honor, with his wife Nadine as a suprise guest. Lacy's brother in law, Locomotive Engineer "T" Hart was also in attendance.
Lacy turned 62 years of age on March 29 of this year. He retires after 39 years service, during which time he has never been disciplined or injured.
Lacy started with the old Texas and Pacific Railway on September 9, 1958, working as a Forklift Driver. He said, "My cousin, Jack Timmons took me down to the old freight house and got me hired on.
"Later, in 1971, Willie Washington, who worked at the Caboose Track, told me to go see Mr. Dent, the Master Mechanic, about a laborer's job supplying engines. He put me on, and in 1973, I marked up as a Fireman - Hostler. I promoted to Locomotive Engineer in 1974.
"The railroad has treated me very well. I've made a pretty good living.
"I'm going to miss the fellows I worked with, but I'll be thinking about them while I'm fishing and playing golf," he chuckled.
Lacy and his wife Nadine have one daughter, Christel. They have two granddaughters, Taylor, age 5, and Amber, age 2.
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