Dan Seebeck, left, with Brad Tucker, Criminal Court Clerk chief of staff
Dan Seebeck is finishing up half a century - plus one - in the Criminal Division of General Sessions Court.
He was hired by Clyde "Sandy" Sanders on Sept. 26, 1967. His last day on the job will be Sept. 25, 2018.
Mr. Seebeck said he worked construction as a young man, then Squire Bud Ball of Ooltewah said he would try to get him a job with the courts. Squire Ball came downtown and put in a word for him with Mr. Sanders.
He got notice in September that there was an opening, and he started out working second shift at the old County Jail on Walnut Street. He said, "We had two days in the office and three nights at the jail."
Since then he has worked about every position in the office and been on duty all three shifts of the 24/7 operation. He currently keeps up with those who make partial payments for amounts owed to the court.
General Sessions Court was launched in the early 1940s, and Mr. Seebeck said he was just the fifth clerk hired in the office. There was Charlie Southerland, then Charlie MaArthur, Bill Knowlin and a retired attorney who worked the jail at night.
He said there are about 30 employees now.
Mr. Seebeck said at the time "a $2 plus cost drunk had a court fee of $16. Now it's $240 minimum."
He has served under Mr. Sanders, Leon Haley, Bud Rohen, Gwen Tidwell and, currently, Vince Dean.
Mr. Seebeck said he "has 10 months" on longtime office employee Sara Caperton. But he could not eclipse Edna Camp, who has 58 years in the clerk's office and is still going strong.
He will be spending more time with his wife, Janet, and their son and daughter.
He stated, "I don't have any big plans. I will just get up and do what I want to do."