(This week The Columbian-Progress spotlights SMO Plumbing’s Mike Okray.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Tacoma, Wash., March 26, 1949.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: My dad was in the military so mainly in Tucson, Ariz., and graduated from Palo Verde High School. I went to the University of Arizona for three years and worked at night as a plumber at a hospital. I got tired of paying my way to go to school, so I started plumbing. There’s just some people who aren’t college material. I went for three years and found out I’m more of a tradesman. I like working with my hands.
Q: Where do you work? Tell us about your job/company.
A: I service plumbing for SMO Plumbing. I handle everything from water heaters — repairing and installing — fix leaks, replace old valves and anything to do with plumbing. I have master licenses in four different states and been doing this my whole life. I got to work in the Bahamas for three years, and that was a pretty good gig with a lot of money. The first $98,600 is tax free, so why not go for it?
Q: What led you to your profession?
A: My dad, John, was in the military, and he did a lot of refrigeration work and remodeling old bars back in Tucson. I was about 14 or 15 years old working with him. It just seemed like it was an honorable thing to do.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: Just helping the people out. They obviously have a problem, and I like to help them. Most everybody I meet around here are always friendly. I enjoy meeting the people and I enjoy the work. This is what I’ve done my whole life for more than 50 years, so why not keep it up?
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
A: Finding parts for all of the old plumbing. That’s the hardest thing to do because a lot of the stuff around here was put in when the Mayflower was coming over.
Q: What is the most important lesson you have learned in your career?
A: Treat people honestly. If this is what it is and it’s broke, don’t try to hide it; don’t try to sell them something they don’t need. Just be honest with people. You tell them, “This is what I found, and this is what it costs to fix it.” That’s the way I’d want to be treated, and that’s the way I treat people.
Q: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: Superman or an astronaut. I wanted to be all those things you would see as a kid back in the ’50s, even a cowboy. They made it seem cool. You’d watch “The Lone Ranger,” and you’d want to be him. You watch “Superman,” and you wanted to fly around. You’d put towels around your neck and jump off of stuff to see if you could fly.
Q: What is your spouse’s name?
A: Susan.
Q: Do you have children?
A: I have a stepson, Jeromy, who works with me. He’s a pretty talented young man. He’s very smart, very observant. If there’s a leak somewhere, I don’t know how he finds it but he can find a leak faster than anybody I’ve ever been around. I don’t know how he does it.
Q: If you could have anything for your last meal on earth, what would it be?
A: I like a lot of different foods, but I’d have to say grilled oysters and a steak.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Down to the islands. I really like it down there in the Bahamas. It never gets cold. The people are friendly. So I would go anyplace down there in the islands.
Q: What hobbies do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I used to like to ride my Harley, but I just sold it. I like gardening. I like growing flowers and fruits and vegetables.
Q: What do you enjoy about Columbia and Marion County?
A: The winters aren’t too long; I hate winter. There are some very friendly and helpful people around here. It’s easy to get around. I like being here.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone from your life or history, who would it be and why?
A: Donald Trump. I just think he’s an amazing, unique guy. I don’t understand why everyone just hates him so much. The hate for that man is nothing like I’ve ever seen before in my life. I like what he does; I like what he says; he speaks honest and tells it like it is. He doesn’t try to hide things. He gets the job done.
Q: If you didn’t have to worry about money, what would you do all day?
A: Fish, ride a motorcycle and go see things I’ve never seen before. I’d like to get on a bike, ride across the country, see Mount Rushmore and just go explore the United States. I’ve been through all of the states and lived in eight.
Q: What moment in your life has had the biggest impact on who you are today?
A: Meeting my wife and working with my dad in Tennessee on his farm. I bought a farm right there next to him and got to work together. That’s probably the biggest two things.
Q: What is one thing you want to do that you’ve never tried?
A: I’ve been a lot of places and done a lot of things, but I wouldn’t mind catching a 500-pound tuna or catch a big fish deep sea fishing. I also wouldn’t mind jumping from island to island down there in the Caribbean like Jimmy Buffet. That would be a fun thing to do.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: As an honest, hard-working guy.
— Joshua Campbell
Pictured Above: Plumber Mike Okray said he realized after three years of college at the University of Arizona that he was meant to be a tradesman. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
