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of Sumter, South Carolina
Saturday Snapshot: Jan. 8, 2011
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Posted: Saturday, January 8, 2011 6:00 am | Updated: 9:14 am, Sat Jan 8, 2011.
Phares "Pec" Chatham III understands fine jewelry.
Chatham, 60, has 43 years of experience in the jewelry industry and has been a staple at Galloway and Moseley Fine Jewelers. Chatham said he started working at Galloway and Moseley in 1964 when he was 14 years old under founder G.B. Moseley Sr. when the business was on South Main Street.
"He (Moseley Sr.) expected a lot out of his employees," said the Sumter native. "Mr. Moseley was a heavy influence and helped shape the type of work ethic that I have today."
After graduating from Edmunds (Sumter) High School in 1969, Chatham said he went on to attend Paris Junior College in Paris, Texas, where he received an associate's degree in jewelry manufacturing in 1972. While living in Columbia, Chatham said he opened his own jewelry shop in 1978. He ran it for 16 years until closing it in 1994 and coming back to Sumter to work his second stint at Galloway and Moseley.
Chatham currently works as a bench jeweler in the back of the store. However, he said he plans to retire in two years and dedicate more of his time to his second job - minister. Chatham, who has been preaching for the past 14 years, said he is the pastor of Second Baptist Church in Manning.
A recovering alcoholic since 1984, he said helping people in need is what makes his duties as a preacher satisfying.
"The thing I like the most about being a pastor is being able to encourage and lift people's spirits up when I talk to them," Chatham said. "I know how tough it is to go through some difficult times. I know God helped get me through some dark times, and I want to keep helping people get through whatever problems surface in their lives."
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT YOUR JOB AT GALLOWAY AND MOSELEY?
I love the creative process of starting from scratch and seeing a project all the way through its completion. I also love presenting jewelry to a customer and seeing how their face lights up, and nothing is better than a satisfied customer.
WHAT IS THE CHALLENGING PART ABOUT BEING A BENCH JEWELER?
People don't quite understand the long hours the bench guys have to work. I'm too old to work those tireless hours. For bench jewelers, they are usually here in the morning before everyone else and are here way after everyone is gone. There is also the pressure of having a deadline and getting the project done on a customer's jewelry.
HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU HAVE?
My only son, Jack, is a graduate of Clemson University where he earned a degree in human resources in 2005. For the last four years, he has been the assistant manager over all sports team tickets at Virginia Tech. He has a demanding job, and I don't get to see him too much.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO ON YOUR SPARE TIME?
I like to garden, and I have a little garden in my back yard.
- Corey Davis
Posted in Local news on Saturday, January 8, 2011 [3, 5] |
1950 - 2015 (65 years)
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