Carroll County Electric Honors Retirees

CARROLL COUNTY — The Carroll County Electric Department celebrated a “bittersweet day” as it bid farewell to two of its most dedicated employees, Cary Don Smith and Danny Toombs, who together accumulated 96 years of dedicated service to the department.

Cary Don retired after 51 and a half years, while Danny Toombs retired with 44 and a half years of service. Their departure marks a significant loss of institutional knowledge, as General Manager Ryan Drewry noted that the combined experience walking out the door—96 years—is greater than the electric department’s entire 88-year history.

“There is not a person in this room that doesn’t know what the electric department is without Danny Toombs or Cary Don Smith being here because you guys have the most seniority within the system,” Drewry told the crowd of family and colleagues, including their wives, Sheila Toombs and Judy Smith.

During the event, Drewry also offered reflections on the retirees’ long tenure, noting the department had been a home and family to them. Judy Smith joked about Cary Don’s post-work life, saying he “will get a work order every day. He’ll just report to a different supervisor”. Adding a bit of humor, Drewry said a cold bologna sandwich was included in the day’s meal for Danny.

To honor their “lifetime of dedication,” Drewry presented both retirees with plaques stating appreciation for their years of dedicated service. They were also given retirement rings.

Drewry assured the retirees that they will continue to be missed and thought of, predicting the phone will still ring for questions at times.

The celebration concluded with fellowship and a meal provided by Big Daddy’s Barbecue for all attendees, including department associates and the honorees’ families. The event was held at the Colonial Room in downtown Huntingdon.