JIM JOHANNES RETIRES FROM SALVAGE BUSINESS

Jim Johannes of Johannes Auto Sales Inc. at 3239 E. Jackson Blvd. retired as of June 1. He has been in business at this site for 38 years, selling domestic and foreign automobile and small truck parts.

Randy Preston and Lisa Schlosser are now co-managers of the business. Preston has been employed with Johannes for a couple of years and "He's the best I've ever had at learning the parts," said Johannes.

As for Schlosser: "She's absolutely dead accurate on everything she does," said Johannes. "Did I tell you she didn't miss a day of work for the first five years? She had two young children at the time also." Schlosser began working at Johannes as a receptionist seven years ago and now sells parts as well.

Johannes graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in May 1963 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. It was at that time that he purchased the farmland where Johannes Auto Sales stands.

Johannes was always interested in cars. All through high school he worked on them and fixed them up. It was his plan to be the biggest and the best when he followed his instincts and built this salvage business.

The salvage business has been a challenging one over the years. It used to be that more parts were sold to shops, and they used to sell more rebuilt cars. With the advent of the computer, things changed. People began working less on their own vehicles because of the way they were designed. However, the computer enables Johannes to be in touch with more than 2,900 other salvage yards, find a part within minutes and simplify inventory and tagging of parts.

The pride Johannes takes in his business is evident in the awards displayed in his office. In March 1981, Johannes won first place in salvage yard beautification from Missouri Auto and Truck Recyclers. In October 1981, the Auto Dismantlers and Recyclers Association awarded Johannes first place in the national competition.

"We don't sell second-rate parts," said Johannes. Before you buy a part from Johannes, it is tested and cleaned. It also comes with a warranty. That's not something many salvage yards can speak of. They are not a here-today, gone-tomorrow type of business.

Johannes still plans to operate his other business in industrial machinery, but for the most part Johannes said he's "ready to settle down." He's just going to do what he feels like. Those days that begin at 4:30 a.m. and don't end till 6:30 to 7 p.m. are over.

Johannes looks forward to spending more time with his grandchildren: Lauren, 9, and Hunter, 6. His granddaughter just competed in the soapbox derby, which Johannes, mighty proud, helped her build from a kit.

Johannes' daughter, Donna Schuette, will step aside as a full-time employee to spend more time with her children. Johannes' wife, Erma, will also step out of the picture.

In addition to spending quality time with their grandchildren, the Johannes plan to do some boating.