By SUE ELLEN ROSS – Staff Reporter

NORCO – When Buddy Simon was a young welder at Shell Oil Company, he was given quite a bit of sage advice. This advice allowed him to advance in his career at the company, and also prepared him for his retirement, specifically, in the many areas he now serves as a volunteer.

“I was always told to do the job right the first time, and then I wouldn’t have to come back and do it again,” said the Destrehan resident. “I still follow that advice.”

Simon, 75, is a member of Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, The American Red Cross, The Yard Boys, American Legion Norco Post 195, and serves on the phone committee of Holy Name Society.

He has definitely lived life to the fullest, at one time living in Saudi Arabia. “Shell needed a maintenance supervisor on an ethanol unit of a petroleum plant they were building,” he said. “I volunteered.”

The two years he and wife Loretta spent overseas was a culture shock, he added. but it was a valuable experience that showed the adaptability of the couple.

Although Simon distributes his volunteer time equally to all of the organizations, springtime will find him working with the Yard Boys. The eight-man crew includes plumbers, electricians, pipefitters and others with specific trade experience. All volunteer their work at no cost.

Kathleen Landry, administrator of the Norco Adult Day Care Center, is appreciative of Simon and the rest of the Yard Boys. “I don’t know what we would do without them,” she said. “We make a chore list every week, and they get it all done.”

Simon also is using his people skills as well as practicing the teamwork effort as he goes about his painting and repair work. Past job experiences, both his and fellow Yard Boys, figure prominently. “Most of us came up through the ranks, working to a foreman position,” he said. “There is nothing one of us can’t accomplish when we get together.”

The Yard Boys began in 1992. Comprised of members of the Sacred Heart Church, the group of men took care of various jobs in the Church and on the surrounding grounds. “We saw things that needed to be done,” said Simon. “We figured that if we did them ourselves, it would save the church money.”

In addition to his volunteer duties, the busy retiree also schedules family time with his wife and children: sons Chipper, David, and Paul; daughters Linda, Glenda, Susan and Sharon; and his 13 grandchildren.

Advice to those interested in volunteer work includes realizing that both parties benefit from the experience. “To me, it’s very heartwarming to perform this service,” said the retiree. “I appreciate that I am well enough to be able to help out. It does my heart good.”