John Chandler, who served the town of Cooleemee for 20 years as a mayor, commissioner, finance officer and clerk, was honored with a retirement dinner at Sagebrush in Mocksville last Saturday.

N.C. State Rep. Julia Howard presented Chandler with an American flag that was flown above the capitol in Raleigh.

Chandler reflected on the day Grady Spry came to his house to talk about the direction the town was going.

“Grady came by the house and said, let’s run for office, I’ll run for mayor, you run for commissioner and take our town back. The people began to have respect for the town and it has gone that way until the present.”

Chandler was glad to do his part with the town and looks to the commissioners today knowing they will continue to do the same.

He said with a work permit he worked at Bluemont when he was 15 and it was then he realized he didn’t want to  work and couldn’t wait to retire.

Chandler’s hobbies are gardening, drawing and painting, family research, making people laugh, brewing a great cup of coffee and enjoying the aroma while relaxing on the front porch with his family.

Chandler’s official last day was Monday. He resides at  Marginal Street with his wife, Regina and children Adam Chandler and Claire Chandler.