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Jack Jerome of Cooleemee retired from the Pilot View Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) board of directors after 28 years.

During his tenure, Pilot View became one of the most active RC&Ds in the state, said Darin Young, Pilot View chair.

RC&Ds are nonprofit organizations formed to protect and develop their communities’ economic, natural and social resources to improve the area’s economy, environment and quality of life.

Among the accomplishments during his tenure was the group’s role in developing RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls-The Bullhole, in 2003.

Jerome’s commitment to public service began as a young man. He served in World War II in the US Navy. He later became a textile chemist, first working for Burlington Industries and later with National Starch & Chemical.

After retirement, he volunteered with the International Executive Service Corps, a non profit with a mission to improve living standards by strengthening private enterprise. He and wife Martha made seven trips overseas to work on projects in Egypt, Morocco, Turkey and South America.

At age 94, he’s still volunteering, as is his wife at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. He has dedicated more than 11,000 hours there.

His commitment to volunteering comes from his faith.

“You need to do something,” he said. “You can’t just sit back and do nothing. I believe in the scripture ‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’.”

He’s also proud of his work at Pilot View.

“I am especially proud of how Pilot View has improved the environment and steams, reduced pollution, and improved the quality of life in North Carolina, “ he said.

He was replaced on the board by Terry Bralley of Mocksville, president of the Davie County Economic Development Commission.