Powers and ‘Ole Blue’ retire together with 94 years of service

Retired AEDC boilermaker Ray Powers drove Ole Blue, a 1949 Chevrolet 3100 half-ton pickup truck, for the last time to work on Sept. 18, the day he retired. It was to commemorate the 57 years of service shared by Powers, his late father Fred, a retired AEDC ironworker, and Ole Blue. Fred is shown here beside the truck in the late 1960s. (Photo provided)

Powers and ‘Ole Blue’ retire together with 94 years of service

Published Oct. 9, 2015
By Raquel March
AEDC/PA

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. -- Friday was the last work day at Arnold Engineering Development Complex for Ray Powers, boilermaker, and Ole Blue, a 1949 Chevrolet 3100 half-ton pickup truck.

Powers retired after 37 years of service and Ole Blue provided transportation for 57 years for Powers and his late father Fred Powers, a retired AEDC ironworker.

"My father drove Ole Blue his first day at AEDC and I'm going to drive it my last day here as my grand finale," Powers said. "Ole Blue is retiring too with 57 years of service from 1958 to 2015."

Power's father drove the truck 84 miles round-trip from South Pittsburg, Tenn. When Fred joined a carpool he still drove the truck occasionally until Ray inherited the truck and he continued to make the 84-mile trip in the truck but not without some maintenance.

Ray restored the truck throughout the years which aided in its longevity.

Regarding his service at AEDC he said, "It has been a fantastic 37 years with many great relationships and experiences."

-AEDC-