Steven Wright and his son Ronald Steven, Jr. both work at No. 4 Mine.
Steven Wright Reaches 40 Year Milestone

In 1968 gas was 34 cents a gallon, of  Planet of the Apes was in theaters and the Boeing 747 made its maiden flight. At Southeastern Bolt & Screw in Birmingham, 19 year-old Steven Wright started his career with the then Jim Walter Corporation. Today, Steven is approaching his 60^th birthday (September 9^th) and just celebrated his 40^th anniversary with the company.

Steven’s road to being a coal miner and working on No. 4 Mine’s Longwall started after he transferred from Southeastern Bolt & Screw to U.S. Pipe & Foundry’s General Office (both subsidiaries of the Jim Walter Corporation) on First Avenue North where he was a draftsman. He soon transferred to No. 3 Mine where he was an underground rodman on the survey crew and then went to work on their first Longwall. When No. 3 Mine was closed in 1999, he went to No. 5 Mine and stayed there until it was closed as well. His next move was to No. 4 Mine where he works today with one of his four sons, 23 year-old Ronald Steven, Jr.

Steven has another son working at No. 7 Mine, 38 year-old Steven Christopher. "I told my sons if you can’t work six-days a-week, work between shifts, pass a drug test at anytime and any place, don’t waste JWR’s time," Steven says. "Ronald and I both have perfect attendance records and I don’t want them to make me look bad!" Steven would like to see his other two sons work at JWR too. "William Jack is 28 and works in construction," says Steven. "My 18 year-old, Peter Edward, just graduated high school and is working with William Jack but he really wants to be a coal miner."

Steven says he is looking at retirement sometime in 2010. "I started work in the mines because of the money and insurance," recalls Steven. "It’s provided a good living for my family for a lot of years. My grandfather was a coal miner as well as my father and I’m happy to see my sons continue the tradition."

Not only does Steven and 23 year-old Ronald Steven, Jr. (Little Steven) work at the same mine, they now both work on the same shift on the same Longwall. On top of that they ride to work together. When Little Steven was asked if seeing his father so much was a problem he replied, "Not a bit. He always gives me good advice and I try to live by his motto of no matter what, the bottom line is to get the job done."

Pam Leonard (left) and Dayle Turner     (Photo by Tony Key)
Central Supply Duo Finish 30 Years of Service
Pam Leonard and Dayle Turner both began their careers at JWR at the Central Mining Office and 30 years later are still working together.  After earning a BS from The University of Alabama, Pam began work in JWR's Engineering Department and later went to Central Supply.  After several promotions in Purchasing, she is now a Buyer and handles all capital purchases in addition to purchases for No. 4 Mine and United Land.  Her husband, Ed Leonard, is Area Manager for the No. 5 Prep Plant and is also a 30 year JWR employee.  They have four children, Jill, Sean, Jonathan and B. J. and four grandchildren, Brandon, Jacob, Hallie and Kalen.

Dayle Turner graduated from Stillman College in 1974 with a degree in Business Education.  She began work in JWR's Industrial Engineering Department in 1978 and later worked in Purchasing and then went to Central Supply.  Today, Dayle is a Material Control Analyst.  Dayle is married with two children.  She enjoys reading the Bible, walking and singing gospel songs.  And don't forget, if you need some beauty tips, Dayle also earned an Associate Degree in Cosmetology from Shelton State community college.
 

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