Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Retiring postmaster Teri Calhoun, at right, holding the hand of her granddaughter, gathers with the 14-member staff of the Colfax Post Office July 29. Behind her is Barbara Puckett, Manager of Post Office Operations, Area Five, based in Clarkston, who presented Calhoun a certificate of appreciation. "How well-respected and thought of Teri was, and what an integral part she played in the Postal Service," Puckett said. "I hate to lose her. She makes the job look easier than it really is."
COLFAX - She started as a carrier and a clerk.
A month short of 31 years later, Teri Calhoun has retired from the U.S. Postal Service as postmaster in Colfax.
"I loved to carry the mail," said Calhoun, who worked locally for the past eight years, finishing July 31. "I was just cold."
It was truly the reason she got into administration, her Post Office career spent in Toppenish, Moscow, Lewiston, Troy and Colfax.
"You make people happy," she said. "Generally, they are glad to see you. Christmastime is amazing. We bring people presents. And now with Covid, we're bringing supplies because we're essential services."
She led a staff of 14 in Colfax. Her longest stint was 16 years in Moscow – three years as a clerk/carrier and the rest as a supervisor. Her husband, Mark, is a longtime postal carrier in Pullman.
It all started when they both took the Postal Service test in Yakima. Terri was working at a Lamont's store in a mall in Union Gap.
"I took the test because my husband did," she said. "My score was a little bit better than his."
She was soon hired and he got in later.
After Calhoun was named postmaster in Colfax, Mark transferred from Moscow to Pullman and they built a house here, where they plan to stay.
"It's been a pleasure to work in Colfax," Calhoun said. "Everybody's been wonderful. I have a great staff. The hardest part is leaving customers and employees."
How did she decide to retire?
"My grandchildren," Calhoun said, of two granddaughters in Uniontown.
An interim postmaster has not been named as the Colfax staff will fill in. Derek Fountain, Palouse postmaster, will oversee financial duties.
A new Colfax postmaster is expected to named by mid-September.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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