Jeff Lackey
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I retired in 2006 after 40 years in various engineering positions in three different industries: tires, silicon wafers, and disposable contact lenses. I worked for BFGoodrich, Uniroyal Goodrich, Michelin (all tires), MEMC (silicon wafers), and Vistakon (contact lenses). Along the way I completed my MSE in engineering mechanics at U of Michigan. And taught part time at night at Lindenwood University in Missouri, teaching statistics, math, and physics.
Shortly after retiring, I saw Roy Yarger's announcement in the Brunswick News inviting interested people to attend a meeting at the Casino to form a woodworkers group in the area. Out of that and subsequent meetings, we formed the Golden Isles Woodworkers with initially about 15 members. Bylaws were agreed upon and we elected Roy as president, Paul as vice-president, myself as treasurer, and Joe as secretary as I recall. I relinquished my treasurers position last year after 8 years in the job primarily because of health issues. I have learned a great deal from being a club member. From Paul I learned how to sharpen my chisels and planes in a simple manner. From Joe I learned how to put a great edge on scrapers which I used to advantage in refinishing my dining room table. It is as smooth as a baby's rear and no sandpaper was used. Remarkable. From the Sam Maloof rocking chair project I learned I was a pretty good carver and wound up carving most of the seat, the legs, the rockers and the back spindles. The lady who won the rocker still loves it and I see her from time to time on SSI. She bought one ticket for $5. I would make another rocker but no one in my family wants one. I do not specialize in any particular type of woodworking. I have attempted all kinds of projects except turning ... although I have turned a couple of knobs on my drill press using a primitive turning setup. When I have had time most recently, I have used some 100-year-old wood I got from Larry to make a couple of storage chests using wrought iron hinges and handles. And lots of hand cut dovetail joints. I have enough wood from an old barn to make a blanket chest in a similar design as the first two smaller chests. All three chests will eventually be given to my son and daughter-in-law. Most of my projects have been of my own design, often using only a few pencil sketches as a guide to the final construction. So don't ask for blueprints. Over the last year, I discovered I had a tumor on my right kidney, gall stones, a bad appendix, and a hernia that all had to be addressed. The right kidney was removed in March 2015, the left kidney failed a few days later and I wound up in the hospital for four weeks recovering. I have been on dialysis since then and am hoping that I can get a transplant through the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. Prayers would be appreciated. Jeff Lackey St. Simons Island |
