Frank Mabry Retirement Celebrated

On Saturday, June 7th we celebrated Frank Mabry’s retirement at the SARM Board of Directors meeting.  Frank (83) has been employed at the Rescue Mission for 42 years as the Food Service Manager, or as Frank says, the Chief Cook. During that time, he has prepared and served thousands of meals to the guests at the Mission.  Frank says, “I was hired as the Cook from the beginning.  I loved cooking and seeing the guys eat the meal.”   At that time, he was serving as many as 45 at one time. The dorm building had not been built, so he was having to serve 20 men at a time while the rest waited in the chapel or outside for their turn.  He says, “The changes over the years have gone from good to better.”  He has prepared many different kinds of soup over the years with a limited budget using chicken, hamburger meat, noodles, and mixed vegetables.  “We used whatever we had available,” he says.

Frank was presented a framed certificate of appreciation, a gift card signed by Staff and Directors, and a cake.  In addition, a large, electric recliner was presented as his parting gift. Frank has been given free room and board at the Mission for the rest of his life, due to his long period of service and commitment to the Mission.  After the meeting, the recliner was set up by staff in his room at the Mission, across from his big-screen TV.  Frank immediately sat down, propped his feet up, and said he loved it.

When asked what he planned to do after retirement, he said, “I want to help out any way I can.”  This is the true spirit of Frank!  “There will never be another Frank.  He was one of a kind,” says David Lamb, Operations Manager and long-time friend and co-worker. “It was a pleasure working with him in the kitchen all these years, ” David adds. John Derochers, SARM new Interim President/Executive Director says, ” Frank is a good and faithful servant of our Lord and Savior!”  Bonnie Vaughan, SARM Office Manager for 21 years, says, “I have great respect and love for Frank. One day I was working in the Office and a long beam plunged through the window.  Thankfully I was on the other side of the room.  Frank was the first person to rush in to check on me.”

Frank has shown exceptional care and concern for the guests at the Mission as well as staff over his many years of employment. We wish him the best in his retirement and thank him for all He has done on behalf of our Lord and Savior to help the homeless.