“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted…,” from Ecclesiastes in the Bible. Arnold Thomas said he has added to this: a time to work and a time to quit.

With Southern gospel music playing on the radio in his shop on N. Main St., providing a background of “old-time religion,” Thomas, said he would retire, last Friday. He will close up Moultrie Alternator Service, where he has been repairing starters and alternators since 1973.

“There’s a time t work and a time to quit, and I’ve about reached that time,” he said.

Thomas has been in the repair business for 51 years with his first shop in a storefront building in about the 500 block of N. Main St., which was across the street from one of his childhood homes. He said he bought into the business when he was about 26 or 27 years old. He had some experience in repair because he had worked for a John Deere business when he was a teen-ager, he said.

“I was mechanically inclined, but I really didn’t take any classes for it in school,” he said.

He and his partner then moved the business next to Baell Mercantile and were at that location for 15 years. Thomas then purchased the building, which used to be the maintenance shop for Swift and Co., on his own and said he’s been there ever since. He said when he first started in the business, there were only three car manufacturers — Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors.

He said he doesn’t have a computer in the shop but still writes out his invoices so, he guesses technology has passed him up.

“I’m doing business the old-style way...by hand all by hand,” he said.

Reuben Rodriguez came into the shop to see about getting his lawnmower fixed. He said he has been doing business with Thomas because he always had a good price and good service. Thomas told him he was closing up the shop but said that he would probably be in on the next Monday and Rodriguez could bring the lawnmower by for him to look at. Thomas said he would be in and out of the shop because he wanted to get rid of some of his inventory before he closed the doors completely.

Thomas said he was a Christian and he believed God controlled everything.

“Without that leadership of the Holy Spirit, I would have had some problems. My wife and I have had a good life,” he said.

He said he has been a member of the Baptist church for 65 years and he is the director of music and a deacon at Memorial Baptist Church, where he and his family are members.

Not only is Thomas a dedicated Christian man, but he is also a dedicated family man. His wife, Sally, is the CEO of the business. He gives her all the credit for the business’ success because of her wisdom and money management.

“She didn’t fuss. She didn’t whine about money. She made it go,” he said.

He said he and his wife were pleased with their four children’s accomplishments, and he spoke animatedly about them. He said they never had any problems with their three boys and a girl, who were all born and raised here.