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By Marilyn Miller Beacon Journal business writer

Published on Friday, Sep 14, 2007

Karl Gray has a knack for fixing things. He was the go-to-guy with family and friends. He never thought to look for a job that matched his skills, but was lucky enough to stumble into a well-suited job. ''In my day you didn't try to find a job you liked, you just tried to get a job,'' he said.

Gray, of Akron, worked a job he enjoyed using his niche and managed to retire early, but after 10 years of retirement, Gray said his money ran out and he needed to work again.

Eighty percent of workers in their 40s and 50s expect to continue to work beyond the traditional retirement age of 65, according to a study by the American Association of Retired Persons. The study also found that one out of three current retirees wants or needs to work.

Gray, now 63, had worked for DuPont for 20 years as a pipe fitter and plant maintenance technician. He also served in the Air Force for four years in security services, which sent him to Yale to learn Chinese to monitor radio traffic.

He also was a truck driver for Roadway, worked for Strickland and UPS and was co-owner of a ceramic shop that his wife operated.

In 1973, he and his wife, Phyllis, left Akron and moved back to their hometown of Jodie, W. Va.

''We were looking for a less hectic way of life,'' Gray said. ''We lived near a creek near two big mountains, but the coal-mining business drove us away with the truck traffic and noise.''

Back to work

In 2003, the couple moved back to Akron to find work.

Gray attended the 2006 Mature Workers' Job Fair sponsored by the Senior Employment Center of Akron. The Senior Employment Center is a division of Mature Services Inc., a multi-service nonprofit agency whose primary mission is to serve older adults.

He signed up for job training for help with resume writing and interview skills. He landed a job with Comdoc, an employee-owned office equipment company.

''The day you retire, you are a different person,'' Gray said. ''You aren't yourself if you aren't working. Luckily, I like to work.''

Now Gray is back to tinkering with machines. He helps in the refurbishing of used copiers, fax machines and printers. He has worked at Comdoc for nearly a year.

''He is a remarkable individual,'' said Patti Auber, corporate staffing specialist for Comdoc. ''For us, what's more important than age is finding employees who have our values and vision. He is probably not using all his skills, but we are happy to have him and he is happy to be doing what he's doing.''

''I can't say enough about Mature Services, they really impressed me,'' Gray said. ''They are actually changing lives. It's like the saying, 'Give a man a fish, you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish, and you have fed him for a lifetime.' So instead of handing out checks, they are teaching you to earn your own check.''

Job fair

Retirement has changed for baby boomers.

''This is not a rocking chair generation,'' said Kathleen McLaughlin of the Senior Employment Center, who also is a baby boomer. ''We are living longer. Life expectancy is beyond the 60s. Baby boomers aren't at home working crossword puzzles, but are still learning, growing and working.''

The Senior Employment Center will hold its 18th Mature Workers' Job Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Tangier, 532 W. Market St. in Akron.

About 50 vendors will be represented.

''What better venue to find a job these companies are looking for mature workers,'' said McLaughlin.

Job security is there for Gray at Comdoc. The company has asked Gray to work full time, but he hasn't decided yet.

''I feel like I'm semi-retired,'' he said. ''I work part time, Tuesday through Friday, and am retired on the weekends. I was very fortunate to get a job with a good company. Everybody is great to work with, and there is no supervisor down your back. Everyone knows what they're supposed to do and they do it.

''I plan to stay as long as my joints last. I'm on no timetable at all.''

Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or 800-777-7232 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.

Karl Gray has a knack for fixing things. He was the go-to-guy with family and friends. He never thought to look for a job that matched his skills, but was lucky enough to stumble into a well-suited job. ''In my day you didn't try to find a job you liked, you just tried to get a job,'' he said.

Get the full article here.


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