VALDOSTA — After 43 years of business, Valdosta Lighting will close Friday, April 27.

Tom Odom, owner, was 24 years old when he opened Valdosta Lighting with his friend, Joe Griffin, Odom said.

At the time Griffin had been working for another supply company, and was looking for new work, Odom said. Odom was working for Kelley Tire Company and the company was wanting him to move to Cumberland, Md.

Odom had just had his first son, and wasn’t wanting to move for his job. So, Odom and Griffin got together one night and decided to try and open something together.

“We went to a local bank, and believe it or not, these two young punks, these two young guys, somebody had enough faith in us to make us a loan,” Odom said. “We then got very serious about it and opened up a business on Ann Street with a total building of 2,000 square feet.”

Within two years of opening the business, Odom and Griffin ran into a dilemma: they needed to move and expand their business, or go out of business.

“And we moved to Northside Drive, where Valdosta Lighting has remained for 40 years.”

Five years later, Odom and Griffin split, Odom said. Odom remained at Valdosta Lighting and Griffin opened Griffin Electrical Supply.

“When we first started, Joe always leaned towards the supply side, and I leaned toward the lighting side, and it was a real good mix,” Odom said.

Because the two were friends before opening the business, Odom said he and Griffin are still good friends to this day.

After the split, Odom said the business ran steady from day to day.

When asked if there were any memories he would be willing to share, Odom was slow to start, but as the interview continued, he would stop and share a short story about an employee or a customer.

Some of Odom’s fondest memories revolve around the company calendar.

Employees would write down interesting, exciting or silly events that happened on the calendar, and at the Christmas party each year, the company would read through the calendar, Odom said.

Odom said he was blessed to have great employees and bragged that the average time an employee worked at Valdosta Lighting was 26 years.

“I had people that moved on after working with me for a while, but I never fired anyone in my time here at Valdosta Lighting,” Odom said. “In other words, most of my employees worked here for a long while.”

Looking back, Odom couldn’t say for sure that his business was a success because he has high standards for what success is, and wants to wait until all the books have been closed, but he believes the longevity of Valdosta Lighting says something about his success.

“Obviously to be in business for 43 years, it had to work,” he said. “It’s helped me raise and put three kids through college.”

Throughout the years, Odom and his company invested in the community.

“We are involved in the community but we gave to a lot of people,” he said. “The logo itself is pretty much an icon.

“I have supported both public and private schools with their athletics. The company is a big supporter of Valdosta State University. We supported the Red Carpet committee, FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) ministries. Our T-shirts and hats are seen all over. We’ve been giving out T-shirts with the Valdosta Lighting logo since day one.”

Still, Valdosta Lighting is closing next Friday.

“I’ve been doing it for 43 years,” he said. “All three of my kids are pursuing other fields, and at 67, it’s just time to wind down and spend time with my lovely wife of 31 years.”

After closing down shop, Odom will continue to work, he said. Odom will be working for Lowe Electric Supply, as an outside sales and lighting consultant for the next few years.

But he does have plans outside of work.

“I met my wife on a cruise, and she and I love to travel, and I plan to use my off time traveling with her and spending time with grandbabies,” he said.

Odom owns the business building and currently has a few interested parties in buying the building, he said. If the building isn’t sold, Odom said he would consider leasing it.

Valdosta Lighting, 418 Northside Drive, will be open 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday until April 27. Odom invites residents to drop in and say goodbye, even if they aren’t buying anything. 

Jason Smith is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1257.