'Jim the Barber' gives commander a trim keeping his VIP hair cutting tradition intact

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullett
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The civilian work force at Malmstrom is made up of a lot of "tried and true" people, many whom have been a part of daily operations here for a long time.
Jim Thul is one of those people.

More affectionately known as "Jim the Barber," he began cutting hair at this installation April 1, 1959 - nearly 48 years ago.

He started out working for AAFES, but in 1971, moved over to what once was the NCO Club, the Chinook Club, where he worked from 1971 to 1995. When the club closed down, he went back to work for AAFES and continues to do so on a part-time basis to this day.

Earlier this month, he had the chance to continue a long-standing tradition that started when he did - cutting the wing commander's hair - when Col. Sandy Finan came to him for a "trim."

"I've cut every commander's hair that has been in charge here since I started," Mr. Thul said. "I'm not quite sure how many that is, but I think Col. Finan is number 13."
Double that and add two more. He has actually seen 28 commanders come and go since 1961, according to the dated commander's photos in the auditorium of building 3080.
He has served his time in the Air Force, as well, four-and-a-half years as an aircraft mechanic on active duty.

"I used to work on the F-84F's like the one at the museum here," he said.
And then, he decided to join the National Guard, but it took him awhile before he did.
"I joined the Guard on my 40th birthday," Mr. Thul said laughingly. "A friend of mine talked me into it."

While with the Guard, he worked as a cook in the Services Squadron.
He retired from the Guard in 1995, also on his birthday.

"Both jobs [cooking and haircutting] allow me to be around people and that's what I really enjoy," Mr. Thul said.

He also enjoyed working on old cars and antiques when he was younger. Now he enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife of 52 years, Marion, and their Lhasa Apso mix, Nexxus.

Over the years, he as been an active volunteer with the Kiwanis, is a Lifetime Member of the Air Force Association, was a board member for the Malmstrom Museum and, along with his wife and daughter, Marianne, can always be found in the kitchen at the VFW on 10th Avenue South making cookies every year for Operation Happy Holidays.
"We've done it every year since they started," he said.

So if you happen to stop by the barber shop for a "trim" in the near future, make sure you shake the hand of one of our tried and true warriors, and thank him for his 48 years of dedicated service.