Longtime postal worker sent off with smiles

WASILLA — Michael Jackson recently retired after spending over four decades working at the U.S. Postal Service Office off Main Street in downtown Wasilla.

Jackson established a overwhelming positive presence at his workplace with countless compliments to his kind and helpful nature and his overall customer service skills. He was sent off to retirement with a sentimental farewell party on top of numerous instances of regular customers stopping by to wish him well.

“It's pretty exciting. It's bringing a whole new life of change. I'm pretty stoked about it," Jackson said.

Jackson said that he spent just under 44 years as a postal service employee. He worked his first four years in Fairbanks before moving to the Mat-Su Valley. He said that he grew close to the community he called home for many years, making his retirement all the more bittersweet since he's planning to move out of state to spend time with family and travel.

“I got really attached to the Valley,” Jackson said.

Jackson said that he has a lot of warm memories to look back on working at the front desk of the post office.

“I really enjoyed it,” Jackson said.

Meeting all kinds of different people and helping them with whatever they needed was Jackson's favorite aspect of his job. He said shift was a chance to make a positive impact on someone's day.

“We always tried to make sure the customers got the best service possible," Jackson said. “This is what I would always tell customers: ‘I treat you the way I want to be treated if i come to your business.’”

One of the first things Jackson has done to celebrate his retirement was taking a vacation in Hawaii.

“It was amazing," Jackson said.

Looking forward, Jackson aims to continue traveling while spending time with his family.

“That's what I'm looking forward to the most: tormenting my brothers and traveling," Jackson said with a laugh.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com