A tribute to Joseph B. Thurmond: 84 years and counting as a SMART member

From The Craftsman, the official publication of SMART Local 20 (Indiana)

Joseph B. Thurmond, a longtime Indianapolis SMART member, spent his career paving the way for all of us today. Joe joined Local 20 in 1941, work­ing for two years before being drafted into the military. He had the honor of serving two years in the 94th Infan­try Division under General Patton.

In 1944, the 94th Infantry landed in France and immediately got to work containing a staggering 60,000 German troops. After that success, the division pushed deeper into Europe, carrying out multiple military operations until the war ended in the mid-1940s. Joseph later joined the liberation forces in Czechoslovakia, helping secure liberated areas and working to restore order in the region.

When he returned home, Joe went right back to work as a sheet metal worker, dedicating another 44 years to the trade. He did a little bit of everything but found a special talent and enjoyment in interior metal panel work and acoustic panel installations. Throughout his career, Joe passed down invaluable knowledge to apprentices and fellow journeypersons, but what he valued most was a solid work ethic.

That work ethic started young, splitting wood with his dad and uncles. When asked what advice he’d give to young tradespeople today, Joe kept it simple: “Work hard. If you are working and being paid for eight hours, then give eight good hours of work.” He believes the strongest attribute of a successful sheet metal worker is a solid work ethic, something that’s hard to teach but essential to learn.

Hard work has never been a stranger to Joe. At 99 and a half years old, he still enjoys splitting wood almost daily for his fireplace. His life is full of inspirational moments, but one achievement stands out: Joe recently received recognition for maintaining 84 consecutive years of membership in good standing with Local 20.

To put that in perspective, the year Joe joined our union was the same year M&M’s hit the market, aerosol spray cans were invented, and the first fully program­mable computer was developed. Today, Joe is the second-oldest member in the country and holds the longest continuous membership in good standing of anyone nationwide, truly a one-of-a-kind distinction.

Of course, we could talk about his bravery during the war or his love of drag racing his Chrysler New Yorker, but we felt highlighting his record-setting member­ship was something every member could relate to and respect. His story is proof that the long days in the heat and brutal days in the cold are stepping stones toward a hard-earned and rewarding retirement.

Joe has been retired since 1988, enjoying an impressive 38 years of retirement. We hope this story can inspire young members in the trade today. We thank Joe for his unwavering support, his decades of mentorship and the priceless knowledge he’s shared. He is a shining example of the kind of union member we should all strive to be. We wish him many more years of well-deserved retirement and good health, and we’re honored to share his story with the membership.