By Keith James
The old gas station, the last one that was open in Grant City, was called “Comish Service.” It was owned by a guy named Duane James. The station stands on the corner of 149 and Lyon Street.
He wore blue jeans and a striped blue shirt with a red rag hanging out of his back pocket. He had a nickname of “Comish.” A lot of customers didn’t even know his real name. When they would pull up out front, he would come out to meet them, and they would say, “What’s up, Comish?” He would say, “What can I do for you?” He would fill your tank with gas and check your tires and check the oil if it needed it. When you paid him, he would go into the station and bring you your change back and probably some candy for the kiddo in your car.
He had antiques throughout the store, and young kids would go in to explore. He always had a couple of cars in the bay for repair. He would run back and forth to answer the phone and pump gas. I bet he was really tired by the end of the day.
His hours were 7 to 6, six days a week. Many would say that he was the best mechanic in Worth County. No job was too big or small. He could overhaul your engine and have it purring like a kitten. He would even go through your transmission. If you wanted to stay and visit him while you worked, he would tell you the latest news around town. He would say what the weather was to be that day and the rest of the week. When they got ready to leave, they would say, “See you later, Comish,” and his reply would be, “Right on.”
Now, these full-service stations are a thing of the past. As I pull into a convenience store to get gas, I look back and think it would be nice to have a conversation with that guy that used to pump my gas. I know if you are elderly or handicapped or need assistance, that the guy behind the counter won’t help you like the attendant in the past.
Keith James is the brother of the late Duane “Comish” James. Comish would have turned 70 recently.
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