His Work Adds Beauty To The Fairfield Scene

YARBROUGH, OBRIAN, HECKENBERG

Posted By: Richard K. Thompson (email)
Date: 8/8/2010 at 22:07:45

Fairfield Ledger
June 20, 1969

His Work Adds Beauty To The Fairfield Scene

The two rose beds on the east side of Fairfield's Post Office building have been particularly beautiful the past few days, and with proper care they will continue to bloom until frost next fall.

These rose beds didn't get that way by accident. It has been through the meticulous care given them by Jack YARBROUGH (sic. full given name Zacharious "Jack" YARBROUGH), senior custodian at the post office.

Jack puts in many hours trimming, pruning, mowing lawn and carrying out other duties to keep the post office lawn an attractive place.

Mainly through his efforts, the Fairfield Post Office was awarded a citation from the U.S. Postal Department for the general appearance of the building and its grounds. The presentation was made in February, 1967.

Displayed on the wall of the postmaster's office, the certificate reads as follows:

"Natural Beauty Program Citation of Merit presented to the Fairfield Post Office and its employes for maintaining the grounds and exterior of their postal unit in such a manner to reflect credit upon the Community and the Post Office Department."

The framed citation is signed by Lawrence F. O'BRIAN, who was postmaster general at the time.

The presentation came a year after general landscaping and beautification program was carried out on the post office grounds in 1966.

After the job was completed YARBROUGH was given the job to see that the program would continue. He has succeeded.

Not only are the roses beautiful, but the evergreen schrubs, trees, and other flowers are neatly trimmed and kept. It is the overall care and trimming that make the grounds attractive.

The roses now blooming so profusely on the east side of the building are known as Eutin roses. A bed of tea roses is located at the rear of the building.

YARBROUGH is very humble when he is congratulated on his work. He says he just does his job as he thinks it should be done.

Jack is not one to make a lot of rapid changes. He has been custodian at the Fairfield Post Office for 32 years and has lived at his present address for 15 years.

A native of Enid, Okla., YARBROUGH lived at Perry where he was employed at the Pattee Hotel before coming to Fairfield July 1, 1937. He was employed at the Leggett Hotel when he first came to this community.

He was named custodian at the Elks Lodge in 1941, and was appointed custodian at the Fairfield Post Office in 1948. John HECKENBERG, the other custodian, was named to the staff in 1961.

Mrs. YARBOROUGH's original home was at Farnhamville, Iowa. They were married at Adel in Calhoun County before moving to Fairfield. They reside at 606 North C.

In addition to his work at the post office, Jack also serves as custodian at the Iowa State Bank and Trust Co.

Although his physical appearance doesn't show it, Jack admits he is getting a little older and it takes a little longer to get his work done.

But it has made no change in his pleasant manner and congeniality. He always has a cheerful "hello" for his many friends as the come and go at the post office.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes. I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Jack YARBROUGH was born in 1907 and died on June 10, 1992. He is buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, Iowa. This clipping was found in the family group sheet collection at the Fairfield Public Library.