Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) says James Branch’s job is so cool that he has no plans to quit working until he cannot work anymore.

“His cool job is as a mechanic maintaining fire and rescue vehicles for the city of Hopewell,” SVCC officials said in a press release.

“His work ethic and determination have served him well since he dropped out of high school at 16. Sitting in a classroom environment (and) listening was not his style of learning. When he quit school, he was required to pursue a vocational trade and chose the automotive program.”

Unable to find work in that profession in his native Lunenburg County, SVCC say he became an accomplished carpenter and made his living in this arena for 30 years. When the housing industry and economy turned sour, Branch realized he needed a GED to land a better job.

“At age 50, he completed his GED in six months and secured a job with the City of Petersburg — at first pouring concrete and later in the auto shop.”

“When Branch wanted to receive his State Inspection License, the closest school to his current home in Sussex County was the John H. Daniel Campus of SVCC that offered night classes.”

SVCC officials say after completing the inspection course, the instructor, Arnold Gayles, talked him into continuing. “He received a certificate in auto technology in 2014 and then decided that he wanted to continue to an associate’s degree. For four years he drove 81 miles,one way, which equaled three-and-a-half to four hours on the road and five hours in class after working eight hours in Petersburg.”

“The support and friendship of … Gayles helped me keep working towards my goal,” he said.

He graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2016 with an associate’s degree in technical studies. He is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, according to the SVCC release.

“Branch is very grateful for the knowledge and support that he received from SVCC especially his counselor Matt Dunn. Branch now has a good salary and state benefits and a new career.”

No stranger to hard work, Branch continues to work on family cars, dabble in carpentry, raise a garden and he and his wife are parents to four daughters.

SVCC officials say Branch can see that he needs to strive to be a life long learner, “but it seems he has met that goal!”