Forty-eight years and counting
Forty-eight years and counting
Garrison bus driver has been on the road since 1972
By JAMES C. FALCON
editors@bhgnews.com
For a bus driver who is retired, Jim Crawford manages to log enough miles at the wheel of the school bus.
He has been doing it for a long time: almost 50 years, although it is safer to say “48 years and counting.”
This is what a service plaque, presented to Crawford on Sept. 30, said.
The plaque, a sign of appreciation for his long and outstanding service to Garrison Public Schools, was presented to Crawford at his home by Nick Klemisch, superintendent of schools, and Dennis Esslinger, director of transportation.
Crawford’s career driving the school bus began toward the end of 1972.
“My dad used to drive and he got pneumonia,” Crawford said. “I drove two days and they couldn’t find a bus driver.”
When they couldn’t find a suitable replacement, the school’s secretary called and asked Crawford if he would drive until they did find somebody.
“We still haven’t found anybody,” Klemisch added.
Crawford was put under contract with the school in 1976, and has been driving in some way, shape or form since. Toward spring of 2020, Crawford wasn’t able to drive full-time, due to medical issues.
