Retirement hasn't slowed him down

Since former teacher Joe Ajax retired four years ago, he's been on the go. While he does many things and has many interests, his family and traveling are at the top of "to do" list.Since his retirement from the Folsom Cordova Unified School District, Ajax has managed to keep himself busy with travel, family, art and work projects. In fact, last week he took a break from a landscaping project he was doing for a Figueroa Street resident to talk about his life.Ajax, a former woodshop teacher at then Folsom Junior High School, started teaching for the Folsom Cordova Unified School District in 1970. He taught in Rancho Cordova for the first five years.Though he studied art in college, Ajax found himself teaching woodshop most of his career. "It was the only job available at the time," he said. "Art is my forte." Besides woodshop, he took on adult education night classes and rounded out his last few years teaching independent study. Even though he is retired, Ajax is called to substitute teach at the middle and high schools. "I have a lot interests; learning is exciting," he said. "When you get older that's the one thing that keeps you going - have a lot of interests."He's been to South American and visited Colombia, Argentina, Peru and Paraguay.He was first introduced to South America while serving a mission with the Church of Latter Saints from 1963 to 1965. He continues to revisit the culture because he's interested in the language and interacting with the indigenous people. He's also interested in photographing and visiting many of the ruins from past civilizations.While traveling among the indigenous people, Ajax took numerous photographs and is planning a photo exhibit this fall.Photography isn't the only art form Ajax is drawn to. He also sculpts, makes pottery and draws.And if the art and travel aren't enough to occupy his time, Ajax does landscape and maintenance projects for people.He also volunteers with the Folsom Police Department as an on-call photographer and bilingual translator."I got called out to interpret one time and was taken on as a technician in language and photography," he said.Ajax is proud of his family and the success his children have had. One son works for the city of Folsom; one is in law enforcement; another is a finish carpenter; his daughter is a full-time mom raising four children; and another son is still in college.His wife, Diane, who he met as a young boy while living in Utah, is a special needs aide at Blanche Sprentz Elementary School.Name: Joe Ajax, 63Hometown: Folsom for 36 yearsFamily: Wife Diane; daughter Jennifer; sons, Darin, Brett, Devin and Ben; 11 grandchildren.Occupation: Retired teacher, artist, landscaper, travelerInteresting thing seen: While living in Utah when he was young, he looked to the western horizon and could see the sky light up from atom bomb tests in Nevada.