A zest for life

Albert Hadley finds it "hard to believe" he will celebrate his 80th birthday Sunday.

"But it's just another day," he reminds himself.

Becoming an octogenarian is hardly something that should go unnoticed, however, so to mark the occasion, Hadley and his wife of 25 years, Beth Hadley, will hold an open house for friends and family from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at their home at 501 S. Poplar St. in Seymour.

The party will be complete with a birthday cake, but don't expect Albert to blow out 80 candles.

"I probably could, though," he said, laughing.

And he's not joking.

At 79, Albert continues to be healthy and active, more so than many people his age. His zest for life started when he was young and has carried him through the years.

Although he was born in Adair County in Eastern Kentucky to Paul and Bessie Hadley, he grew up in Edinburgh, Ind., and graduated in 1947 from Waldron High School in Shelby County.

While in school, Albert was quite the athlete.

"I played basketball, ran track and did baseball," he said.

"So the only thing he didn't do was football," Beth added.

"But that's only because we didn't have it," Albert quipped.

To this day, he continues to have a love of sports and being outdoors. He enjoys a membership at Shadowood Golf Course in Seymour and bowls in a senior league.

He also is a member of Central Christian Church, where he has served as an usher and helped deliver Meals on Wheels; a 50-year-member of the Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to Jackson Masonic Lodge in Seymour; a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Seymour; and is a former member of the Elks Club in Seymour.

Anyone who knows Albert can attest to his sense of humor. Being the second-oldest of 10 children probably has something to do with that.

"There were six boys and four girls," he said of his family.

Albert went on to marry his high school sweetheart, Minnie, who is now deceased, and had four children, Lydia of Nashville, Charles of Indianapolis, Dean of Columbus and Cindy of Stark, Fla. In 1989, he married Beth Ann Kaley and became the stepfather to her daughter Laura and adoptive father to Natalie. He now has eight grandchildren, Kimberly, Jacob, Christopher, Katherine, Elizabeth, Tyler, Alex and Kaley, and four great-grandchildren, Kaitlin, Kiara, Emma and Logan.

From the time he was a young boy, Hadley was instilled with a good work ethic.

He recalls when he worked every day on a farm one summer to save money.

"I had to pay to have my tonsils taken out because my mom and dad didn't have the money," he said. That work ethic and dedication carried over into the field of banking.

After graduating from high school, he began working at Shelby National Bank in Shelbyville. He worked there for 12 years while attending banking school at the University of Virginia and the University of Wisconsin. He also served in the National Guard while living in Shelbyville.

Albert's next stop was Columbus, where he went to work for J. Irwin Miller at Irwin Union Bank. He spent 17 years with the business. During that time he also raised Appaloosa horses.

"I got them for the kids to ride, but ol' dad had to take care of them," he said.

Finally, Albert made his way to Seymour, taking a job with The Peoples Bank, where he continues to do part-time work.

"I tried to retire in 1990, but they wouldn't let me," he joked.

For his 75th birthday, his family created a scholarship in his name to benefit students going into the banking field.

In lieu of cards or gifts, the Hadleys are requesting guests make a $1 donation to the scholarship.

When not mowing and landscaping The Peoples Bank property, Albert spends as much time as he can in his own yard.

"He loves to be outside doing yard work," Beth said. "He definitely has a green thumb. Everything he plants grows."

Albert has also spent some time traveling with his family, getting to see many famous places and landmarks.

"He always wanted to see the Swiss Alps," Beth said. "So when Laura was stationed in Germany, we went to Europe and he finally made his dream come true. He also got to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris."

She compares her husband to Popeye.

"Popeye used to say, ‘I am what I am and that's all that I am,' and that pretty much sums up Albert," she said, laughing.

When asked what lies ahead, Albert took a minute to think.

"That's a good question," he said. "I guess the only thing I can do is live day to day."