Eastman Credit Union | 75th Anniversary

How ECU has helped our family...

Witt

Langstaff

ECU Member

Favorite ECU Story

I worked with Eastman for 36 years and over the years we found many occasions to get the help of ECU. We had several kinds of loans over the years.

We have always found ECU people to be very pleasant, to be very dependable and to help us figure out what loans we needed and how we should get them. I also found them to be very resourceful. I'll never forget when our son was ready to go to college. We talked about the fact we really would like to have another family vacation while all of them were together and before they spread all over the place. We went to the credit union. We had one problem. We didn't have any money. With our expenses, our budget was pretty much committed. And, we didn't want to pay any more payments. The people at the credit union said, "Don't worry." They proceeded to refinance two of our cars, so we could get the few thousand dollars to have our wonderful family vacation in Jamaica.

The kids still talk about it. As you can see, ECU has meant a great deal to us over the years. We really couldn’t have done it without them.

Opinion Article - James C. White

Courtney

Conkin

ECU Member

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AJ Carter

Marie

Trent

ECU Member

I Remember When...

He was always Mr. Carter to us, who were his neighbors. He was ready and willing to help others when needed. He loved children, having none of his own. He and his wife, Harriett, of over 50 years reared several foster children. Mr. Carter kept all the neighbor children's bicycles in good working order. After his retirement from TCU, he loved to fish and spend time in a little sidebuilding he called his "Dog House" listening to the radio and probably napping a little. He and his wife passed away within a few weeks of each other. It was big loss to us who were his friends on Stadium Drive.

Eastman CU Memories

Claude "Cosmo"

Griffith

Retired Eastman Chemical Employee

I Remember When...

Mr. Claude "Cosmo" Griffith hired on to Eastman in July of 1941 and reported to the Yarn Plant, but he spent most of his years in the Recreation Department. He distinctly remembers his foreman and Tom Warrick (personell officer) telling him about the credit union, which was in Building 1 at the time. Mr. Warrick would insist that people join the credit union.

"If you got in a tight place, you could go to the credit union for money," he said. When he hired on, he made about $0.41 an hour. Compared to working all day on the farm for $0.50 or a $1, it was great money. But, if you got in a tight spot, and needed $5 or $10 before payday and you had enough hours accumulated toward your next pay check, TECU would give you an advance on your next paycheck.

After moving to Yarn Development, Mr. Griffith joined the Navy during WWII, where he was enlisted for four years. Following his discharge, he went back to Eastman through the Apprenticeship Program. However, Eastman started laying off workers. Several people lost their jobs. Because of Mr. Griffith's length of service he was granted a leave of abscence and was called back in a few short weeks. At this time, he we sent to Recreation to work, where he spent the bulk of his career.

From his years in Recreation, which began in the mid 1950s, he has many wonderful stories. From growing the camera club from about 30 to 3000 to working with the famous Horse Cricker's Program for kids. He assisted with event planning and set up including ECU's Annual Meetings. The first Annual Meeting that he remembers was not well attended. "There were probably only about dozen people there other than the employees and board members," he recalled. He set up for the meeting in Building 89, and they gave away five silver dollars for grand prizes.

BM Brown

Becca

Wright

ECU Member

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B. M. Brown Artifacts

Becca

Wright

ECU Member

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