PEOPLE: AT 80, DRIVER JOB IS STILL ON THE JOB

Paul Job is already in a select group of workers: Only 12.3 percent of people 65 and older still work.

But he also works 60 hours a week without complaint, and his job is taking other people to work.

So little wonder the staff at the Workforce Investment Board in Cape Girardeau, which is dedicated to finding training and jobs for the unemployed, celebrated Job's accomplishments with a surprise 80th birthday party on Friday.

Job, who has been driving trucks, buses and vans all his life, works for Kelly Transportation Co. of Cape Girardeau under contract with the WIB transportation program.

He provides a 12-hour-a-day van service for welfare recipients and the working poor in the Cape Girardeau area who need rides to and from work.

Job was a driver with the former B&W Transport Co. for 22 years. He retired at 63 but got tired of not working and returned to driving after a year off. He drove a school bus at Jackson, Mo., then a Southeast Missouri State University bus two years. He has been with Kelly Transportation the past four years.

Job spent more than three years in the Army. He served under Gen. George S. Patton in Europe, spending time in Germany and France.

He has been hauling passengers for WIB the past year and a half.

"I've been a truck driver forever," said Job. "It's something I like to do."

"I start early," he said. "I get away from home at 4:30 or 5 a.m., grab a cup of coffee and get ready to make my first pickup at about 6 a.m."

He ends his workday at about 6 p.m.

"Mr. Paul," as he is known to most passengers and associates, was surprised when he walked into an office at WIB Friday. He had just finished fueling and servicing the van.

Opening the door, he noticed his wife, Melba, daughters Lisa Rouse and Paula Myers, his grandchildren and a number of associates from various departments within the WIB.

Ron Swift, WIB executive director, and Alana Williams, who heads the WIB Transportation program in 13 counties, said Job's job makes their programs happen.

"Transportation is vital for many of our programs," said Swift.

"With people like Mr. Job, we provide a good service for a lot of people," said Williams.

Job said they'll be able to count on him for a while.

"One of these days I will retire again," he said, "when I get old enough."