To all of my Albany and Moran extended family

I am amazed at your hospitality, love, care, and kindness. You have made me feel so welcome in your gracious communities. I will sincerely miss every one of you.

I am pleased and saddened at the same moment as I announce my retirement. It has been my greatest pleasure to serve you as your UPS delivery man for 17 and a half years. My last day to deliver to you will be Thursday, October 27.

I celebrated my 40 and a half years of service for UPS on October 19th. I also received honors for 25 years safe driving in August of this year.  On April 19, 1981 I started my long career with UPS while I was a student at ACU. I worked unloading trailers filled with packages onto the conveyor belts for two years. Then for three years, I loaded four delivery trucks per morning to get them ready for delivery.

I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Bible in May, 1987. That same week, I started as a full-time driver. I delivered to the industrial area in Abilene around Cooper High School. Later I delivered to Abilene’s Westgate neighborhood. Then in 2000, I delivered to the cities of Cisco/Putnam. I started delivering in Albany/Moran/Hamby on June 1, 2005. At first I was disheartened because I really thought I would work Cisco and surrounding communities until I retired. I was pleasantly surprised by all the good friends that I was making on my new route.

I have seen many of your children grow up, graduate high school, go to college, get married and have kids of their own. Oh, yes!! I remember delivering their much-anticipated Christmas presents! I am thrilled that your children know my name! They treat me like a celebrity, yelling my name when I am busy at work.

I also have seen many beloved townspeople pass on. I keep fond memories of them all in my heart.  I never considered a customer as just a customer – they are like a close friend to me.

I would like to apologize to a few great people too. I am truly sorry for letting your horses out, W.G. So sorry for not knowing you moved to ranch road soon enough, T.B and S.B. Many apologies for asking for help to fix my truck hood, R.P. and M.B. I completely needed help dropping off packages when my truck broke down, A.C. and L.N. I am forever on the “special” list at Momentum, thanks, D.C., S.B, M.C. and K.G. I am truly sorry for those late night deliveries too (all of Albany)!

As I leave, please continue to keep my wife, Melody, in your prayers. She has follicular cell lymphoma. Her cancer is at stage one and we are awaiting chemotherapy. My daughter and I will be close by her side as she undergoes treatment. I will spend some of my time repairing three rent houses. Then I would like to start a small RV park south of Abilene. I love the hospitality business, which allows me to meet new people. Traveling to distant places is also in the future.

I’ve already told my wife that I will come to Albany for relaxation time once a week. So look for the guy with the loudest, most colorful shirt (no brown allowed), because it will probably be me.

Sincerely,

Larry Loveland – The UPS Man