MARION - Pepsi MidAmerica employee Ron Ollis hung up his blue jumpsuit after working with the company for 37 years.

Ollis, who started with the company on April 18, 1972, was honored with a retirement ceremony Wednesday at Pepsi MidAmerica. The ceremony included lunch from 17th Street Bar and Grill, presentation of a plaque and a company wristwatch.

Sam Hood, director of human resources, said in a speech that when Ollis started with the company, Pepsi was still in glass bottles and Richard Nixon was president. He said that people like him are the ones who make the company thrive.

"It's people like Ron, who dedicated so much of his time, that has made Pepsi successful," Hood said.

Ollis said he is looking forward to retirement. He plans to travel with his wife, Bonnie, and helping out people in the community. They are involved in the Shepherd's Closet with First Apostolic Church in Marion, which helps people in need acquire food, clothes and furniture.

Though he is excited about retiring, Ollis said he will miss the company where he spent so much of his time.

"I enjoyed working for Pepsi all these years," Ollis said. "Pepsi has been good to me."

codell.rodriguez@thesouthern.com

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