OTTUMWA — For many years, Jack Rolison ran a swimming pool maintenance business in California.

It was very successful in the warmer climate, he says. He and his wife had two boys and a girl, who grew up to help in the business and then went on to have businesses of their own.

All along, his sister, Sharon Ferguson of Ottumwa, has regularly tried to persuade him to move back home.

Then, 2005 hit. Jack, 73, says it was a “bad year.”

That year, his $350,000 home burned down, and three pets were lost in the fire. In 2005, his wife died, also.

By 2007, he had settled with the insurance company, rebuilt his house and then sold it. He decided he also could sell his business and retire.

He had his sister look for a house with workshop potential, and he was soon on his way to his hometown of Ottumwa.

He had been “puttering around” with a lathe in California, but working only with exotic woods to make small objects like bowls or plates. He won a first place in the California State Fair and the San Diego Fair. He knew that this is what he wanted to do when he had more time.

He had his sister buy the home, and when he arrived here, he gutted it, changing some walls so it looked larger inside. He set up his lathes and workshop in the large garage.

He’s loving being in his hometown and is looking forward to the class reunion — Class of 1954 — later this month. He’s been working on 10 candle sticks which will be given as door prizes.

Soon after he arrived here, he was introduced to a friend of his sister, Rosemary Hugen, who happened to be a member of the Class of 1954. Rolison said he didn’t really remember her, “but we probably ran in different circles then.” She now sports his engagement ring.

”I do not do woodworking, but am fascinated with what he makes from a simple piece of lumber,” Rosemary says.

Some of the exotic woods that Rolison works into his beautiful pieces are spalted maple, cherry burl, camphor tree, buckeye pearle, carob, ebony and cocobole. Exotic woods were plentiful in California, but in Iowa, for the most part, those woods have to be ordered.

His wooden hats have broad rims which are 3/32-inches, which “is a real challenge on the lathe,” he admits.

Some of his pieces are on long curved stems which are very thin. That takes a lot of patience, too, working on a spinning lathe.