WWII Veteran, 98, Explains Why He Still Works 3 Days a Week at Unexpected Job (Exclusive)

Retirement doesn’t always mean you stop working.

Ron Gibbons, a 98-year-old World War II veteran, still works three days a week at Lowe’s in Ulster, N.Y., clocking in for six-hour shifts at the garden center.  

Gibbons, affectionately known as “Mr. Ron,” has been employed at the home improvement store for 17 years. But before that, Gibbons tells PEOPLE his life looked a lot different.

He grew up near Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where he went to high school, but notably never got his diploma.

“When I was drafted out of high school, the war in Europe had just ended. They didn’t know what to do with a large number of people who had just been inducted,” he shares. “I went to boot camp, and after completing boot camp, I was assigned to a ship’s company for three months.”

He was in the Navy for a year, between 1945 and 1946, and was stationed on the USS Hornet (CV-8), one of the first ships to launch attacks after Pearl Harbor, outside of San Francisco for six months. 

“I finally got on the Hornet for six months. I didn’t see any action at all, and thank heavens for that,” Gibbons says. “It was a good experience. Service teaches you many things that you don’t learn on the outside.”

After he served, he attended college for a couple of years and then secured a job at General Electric. After a layoff, a friend recommended IBM, where he worked for over 35 years before he “retired.”

After leaving the company, Gibbons took on several odd jobs and even started a part-time lawn business while his children were in college to help pay for their education. A few friends then suggested he join them at Lowe’s, and 17 years later, Gibbons has never looked back. 

Gibbons notes that “if you rest, you rust,” which is why he gets out of bed bright and early every day.

Gibbons starts his day at 5 a.m., and then clocks into work an hour later. He tells PEOPLE he really enjoys working in the garden center, where he gets to interact with customers and other employees.

“I enjoy meeting people, and that’s a big part of why I stayed here, is because the people are so great to work with,” Gibbons shares. “When I first joined here, they were so helpful and anything I wanted or needed, they were there. It’s a compliment to the staff and the management and the department that I worked in and all over Lowe’s.” 

“I keep coming back to work ’cause I’ve seen so many people who retired that don’t do anything, and they waste away,” he adds. “This gives me the opportunity to keep my mind active and keep doing physical activity and doing something. I like working with people and enjoy what I’m doing.”

The best part of his day, he says, is “working with a customer.”

“And working with the employees to help sell more things, and to keep myself active, and to work with the people. I enjoy the customers. I directed barbershop quartets for 30 years, and so I know crowds and enjoy people,” Gibbons shares. 

After nearly two decades at the same location, Gibbons says customers now “look for me” when they’re in the store. 

“Two months ago, I was in a conversation with a couple, and we were both in the Navy, and a month later, he came back, and he gave me a model of an aircraft carrier that he built. It’s really fantastic,” Gibbons shares. 

Even on his days off, Gibbons stays busy. 

“I work around the house and outside. And in the wintertime, I work down in the basement. I have a lot of tools. I do a lot of woodworking work,” he shares. 

Although he loves working, Gibbons says that the highlight of his life is his “wife and children.” 

He met his wife while working at IBM, and they’ve been married for 67 years. As for the key to a happy, healthy marriage, Gibbons says: “You have to take every day that the sun’s gonna come up and you have to be ready, whether it’s sunny, cloudy, or a gut punch. We’ve had ’em all.”

The two share four children, 10 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Gibbons notes that his work ethic is a family trait. He says he inherited his drive from his mother, whom he describes as a “people person.” His father also worked until he was almost 80, mirroring Gibbons’ story.  

Now, two of his own children are retired, and one of his sons has taken over his lawn business. Gibbons’ nephew has been in the National Guard for eight years and will join him at Lowe’s headquarters to be honored for Veterans Day.

Despite his age, Gibbons tells PEOPLE he has no desire to slow down — or step down from his position at the garden center.

“‘What are you gonna do when you reach 100?'” Gibbons says people often ask. “I said, ‘Well, get new teeth and wear a diaper.’ ”