I am 18 years older than my 1957 T-bird.
I’m a “steady Eddie,” meaning I don’t cuss, smoke, or drink. What you see is what you get. I’m a hard worker who is still working hard with no plans to retire. I’m about 90% work and 10% play. If the sun is out, I’ll be working. On Sunday, if the weather is bad, I’ll be in church.
I’ve always liked machines, from tractors to construction equipment to fast cars. I was 18 when I got my first car, a red 1957 T-bird convertible. I have the same style now, and that T-bird still gets more attention on the street than my new Corvette.
The 1960s were a great decade for muscle cars. My 1961 Ford Starliner was rated the fastest drag racer in Nebraska. I paid $4,614 for a ’63 ½ Galaxy 500 lightweight from McFayden’s Ford that had a 22-4 record. That car is in Jay Leno’s garage. My 1966 Plymouth Hemi is in the Speedway Motors Museum. (Ed is now a candidate for the Nebraska Racing Hall of Fame.)
I started Jochim Precast Concrete in 1972. The equipment isn’t fast, but it’s big. The biggest is a Caterpillar D-11 Dozer weighing 80 tons. Success is sweet, but there was a lot of sweat involved.rWorking hard and liking it helps keep you young. Helping others keeps you positive.
During the week, it’s brown work pants and a lime green safety vest. I enjoy dressing up, though I never think about fashion. I just like what I like, and I’m a big fan of Elvis Presley. So, I’m 90% brown work clothes, 10% dressy with a touch of Vegas.
This article was first printed in the 60Plus section of the January/February 2020 issue of Omaha Magazine.
