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November 1, 2009

Postal trio retires at 94

Toni Hopper

The Duncan post office lost three people Friday. And everyone was smiling and laughing.

Including the three, on their last day of work. Retiring were Buck Schornick, Tammy Bilbrey and Pam DaVoult, who share a combined 94 years of postal service work.

Postmaster Rodney Brooks and former Duncan postmaster Donnie Bain, along with many retired employees and current employees gathered for the 8 a.m. reception. Brooks presented each with a plaque and commendation for their service to the United States Postal Service and shared his feelings.

“We’re going to miss them,” he said. “Each one of you have special gifts.”

Bilbrey and DaVoult each have 30 years, and Schornick has 34 years of employment service with the government agency that in recent years has seen much downsizing because of improved technology and automated systems replacing people.

Unique traits about each were divulged. For DaVoult, it’s knowing everyone’s address and name, “her photographic memory;” for Bilbrey, it’s a winning personality; and Schornick was labeled the guy who does no wrong.

Bain, who came over for the party from Lawton, told of the time when the facility had an inspector there. Cameras were installed and everyone’s movements were being critiqued. He said the inspector approached him one day and asked if Schornick ever does anything wrong, because while the inspection was ongoing, they had never seen him mess up.

“He’s excellent at keeping us on line,” Bain said. Everyone laughed.

Then two of the postal employees stepped forward with their own surprise for the retiring trio.

A Top 10 list of what they would miss. The list revealed just how much everyone at the Duncan facility enjoys working together, and laughter ensued.

At No. 8, the laughter grew.

“With Buck gone, Bill will have to step up and be the Alpha male clerk,” it read.

Each member’s family was there for the party. Schornick’s wife, Joyce, and their son, Samuel; Bilbrey’s husband, Mike, and daughters Staci and Kaci; and DaVoult’s husband, Don, and daughter, Melanie Jones.

DaVoult, who joined the postal service in 1980 when her daughter was only 9 months old, said it was two years after she took the civil service test that she was hired. She began as a carrier and then was transferred to clerk position.

Bilbrey said her uncle made her take the test in 1979 and she was hired. She said the people are why she has kept enjoying her job for 30 years.

Schornick began at the Duncan facility in 1990, but has worked at other post offices around the state. He said his strongest memory was that of working in the Lawton office in 1974, when it was announced that Nixon was asked to resign. While he has great memories of his time at Lawton, he’s most fond of Duncan.

“The people here are all hard working — of all the offices to work. It’s a great place to work. I couldn’t think of anywhere better to work,” he said after the reception.

And of course, since the mailman always deliver, the retirement party came to a quick end so those still working could get on with their duties.

Brooks shared a final thought.

“Those three were the most dedicated to their careers and their families. They will greatly be missed and were an asset to the postal service,” he said.

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