After 22 years, it’s time for James Shropshire to head back home.

Shropshire, who has been an integral part of the Chilton County Extension Office and a councilmember for the Town of Thorsby, and his family are leaving Chilton County for Indianola, Okla.

Shropshire has never really thought about moving back home until recently when he was offered a similar job to what he has here through the Regional Extension Service. His last day to work is Tuesday, and his final council meeting is Monday.

“I’ve been here for 22 years, and I have enjoyed working with everyone here,” Shropshire said. “There were no emergencies that have made us decide to go back home. This was just a perfect opportunity to move back my hometown.”

Shropshire is married to his wife, Kay who is from Jemison. They also have three children, Blake, Austin and Kayla. Blake will continue to stay in Thorsby while he is attending school.

Shropshire grew up in Indianola, Okla., and graduated from the same time that Austin and Kayla are now attending. He then earned his degree from Oklahoma State and came to Alabama when he was hired by DOW chemicals in 1986.

Before taking the position as the 4-H representative for Chilton County through the extension, he managed the farm at Garrison Farms and was store manager at Alta Genetics and SCF Buildings. He’s been involved with organizations such as Chilton County Cattlemen and the Alabama Angus Association. He has also been a Sunday School teacher and member of the Board of Directors at Victory Baptist Church.

He wants to see a great person to fill the 4-H and youth and development agent position here.

“I hope that they will be able to find someone who will be ready to work with the young men and women in our local high schools,” he said.

Although Shropshire was elected for another term on the town council in August, he will be giving up his seat before the new council takes office in November. The new council will likely appoint a new member to take his place.

The reason why Shropshire had already decided to run for office is because he wasn’t offered this job before the qualifying deadline in early July.

“I had no idea this opportunity was going to come at that time,” he said.

Through his time working here in Chilton County, he is grateful for all of the relationships he has made with people here.

“We’re going to miss a lot of people,” Shropshire said.

– Brent Maze can be reached at brent.maze@clantonadvertiser.com.