SUNSET HILLS, Mo. — Ricky McWoods has been the friendly face in the brown uniform, the guardian of precious cargo, and the bearer of countless smiles at United Parcel Service. Amidst the ever-evolving landscape of package delivery, McWoods stood out for his commitment to genuine connections in an otherwise impersonal industry.
The year was 1982 when he joined UPS and after 42 years of service, he welcomes retirement.
One Sunset Hills community knew they had to honor McWoods in a special way. On his penultimate day, McWoods was met with a surprise going-away party, complete with signs, balloons, and even a cake.
McWoods said about the surprise, "It was very emotional. ... I guess as UPS drivers we think all we do is deliver goods and services but these people have let me know that I'm a lot more than just a UPS driver. ... they are family to me."
The outpouring of appreciation was palpable, with residents sharing anecdotes of McWoods' kindness and dedication.
Among the crowd was J.J. Jedlicka, the UPS center manager for South County Center and he said, "He is a hard worker, reliable, he does a great job. He has been serving this area for about 15 years. Just an incredible guy. Everyone respects him a lot."
From rushing to deliver a missing dress for a panicked daughter to returning a rug without a sticker, McWoods' acts of kindness left an indelible mark on the community, from the youngest residents to the furry companions eagerly awaiting his arrival.
"He goes above and beyond. I've never met anyone who cares and really loves their job like he does," Stephanie Wieland, a longtime recipient of McWoods' deliveries, said.
As a final token of gratitude, neighbors pooled their resources to present McWoods with a plaque bearing the inscription, "In appreciation of your many years of dedicated service," a testament to the lasting impact of his tenure.
"Got to meet Ricky over the years and he just pulls the neighborhood together and if a new baby is born he'll share that, he knows and he doesn't forget it, said Sue Simpson. "makes me think of the corner store owner that use to be and you'd go in and they knew everybody in the neighborhood, they knew your family, they knew your dog. ....that's Ricky but he goes from house to house. He brings packages and good tidings to us all."
McWoods plans to visit his adult children more often and join a cycling team during retirement.
"In a world where so much can change, Ricky McWoods has been a constant," said McWoods' wife, Roberta, reflecting on the overwhelming display of appreciation.
As the sun sets on McWoods' tenure in Sunset Hills, his legacy of love and dedication will continue to resonate for years to come, leaving an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those he touched.
"We're really going to miss him," said Sue Simpson, one of the organizers of the heartfelt send-off.
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