MARYSVILLE — Ron Logan’s state career in corrections began in 1989, and as of April 1, he will officially retire as a community corrections officer in Marysville.
Logan’s family, friends and colleagues stopped by the Marysville Community Corrections Office where he’s worked for the past two years, for his last day of work March 23. During the office retirement party, Charlie Wend, field administrator for the state Department of Corrections, presented Logan with letters and certificates of appreciation from state DOC Secretary Eldon Vail and Gov. Christine Gregoire.
“I’ve known Ron a number of years, and I’m feeling the same mixed emotions as many of you right now,” Wend said. “I’m happy for him, but I’m sad for us to be losing him. He’s approached his humor with humor and dedication, and he’s made an investment in changing people’s lives.”
While Logan might not have married his job, he did meet his wife, Sheila, as a coworker in corrections. She teased Ron about the time when she tried to hold his hand in public, while he was on working hours, and he told her, “Don’t do that, it’ll take the edge off.”
Ron Logan described himself as motivated largely by the desire to do counseling.
“The law always interested me, and I like talking to people about their problems,” Logan said. “I’ve tried to help people who are involved in drugs and crime turn their lives around. Every once in a while, I can get them on the road toward a legal lifestyle, and that’s enough to keep me going.”
Logan has enjoyed working with the Marysville Police Department, and admitted that going out on assignments with police officers gives him an adrenaline rush as well.
Still, Logan looks forward to the next phase of his life, during which he plans to stay busy.
“It’s more of an evolution than a retirement,” Logan said. “I’ll be using the skills I’ve developed throughout my career in different ways, but I’ll still be dealing with folks in distress.”
Logan will continue to serve as a deacon for the Second Baptist Church of Everett and as a volunteer for Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County.
