Living 100 years was never a goal onHouston Case’s mind until triple digits actually began to loom inhis near future.

    “I never thought too much about it until the last few years, andthen I thought this might work out,” Case said of his age.

    It looks certain to work out now. The former Brookhaven mayor iscelebrating his 100th birthday Friday.

    Case said he was born “out in the country” near Brookhaven and thecentury of his life has been spent in Brookhaven.

    Four years of that century, 1973 to 1977, Case served as mayor ofBrookhaven.

    But those four years only represent a portion of Case’s service tothe city and his contributions to its growth. Case was also analderman from 1948 to 1952.

    Case’s wife Thelma died in 1999. They were married for more than 60years and had four children: Kay, Jerry, Richard and Steve.

    In reflecting on his life, Case was proud of his involvement withthe business community and the chamber of commerce.

    “We had a good working group in our chamber,” Case said, speakingof the local chamber of commerce.

    Case owned a service station for some years. He said he was activein the chamber of commerce from the beginning of his business life.Case went on to serve two terms as president of the chamber.

    The chamber played an important role in Case’s politicalcareer.

    In the election he won, local business leaders were not satisfiedwith the crop of mayoral candidates and asked Case to run. Hereluctantly complied.

    “I didn’t care too much about being mayor,” Case said. “I wasn’t init for what I could get out of it.”

    And then he won.

    Case never wavered, though, in his intention not to seekre-election.

    “It was too confining,” he said of the office. “I was 67.”

    His tenure as mayor saw some big industry come to Brookhaven.

    Packard Electric set down roots here then and has remained hereever since, though now called Delphi Packard. Case gave the creditfor Packard’s presence in Brookhaven to the chamber.

    Transportation figures heavily in his service to and memories ofthe city. As aldermen, Case contributed pretty directly to thecity’s transportation capabilities in a way that is still felt.

    “We needed an airport,” Case said. “I spearheaded getting theland.”

    Government funds paid for 80 percent of the landing strip. Thestrip has only gotten longer since the early days, a fact whichpleases Case.

    “Small business jets can land there now,” Case said.

    The airport did represent something of a personal interest forCase. He had his pilot’s license and an airplane. He started flyinglessons in 1945.

    “I used it a little for business,” Case said.

    That really wasn’t his major motivation, though.

    “I just enjoyed flying,” he said.

    Roads also have a dominant place in Case’s perspective of thechanges he has seen in Brookhaven. He remembers when his fatherbought a car in 1924. Case said cars didn’t become a common sightuntil nearly a decade later.

    He said part of the problem was that the roads were dirt, notgravel, and cars couldn’t operate well on dirt roads if they werewet.

    Getting gravel on all the roads took a while, Case remembered.

    “Some people opposed it because they thought it would damage theirhorse’s hooves,” he said.

    Case bought a second-hand Model T for himself in high school for$75.

    “Very seldom did you see but a few cars at school,” Case said. “Nowyou can’t find a parking space.”

    When asked about some of the most significant changes around town,Case picked two more road-related memories.

    “I remember when Highway 51 was straightened out,” he said. “Wealso had a big change when they made the 84 bypass.”

    Case believes increased transportation has brought with it thecity’s gradual expansion.

      “It’s been gradual growth,” Casesaid. “I remember when we didn’t have any shopping centers.”

    That kind of gradual growth has been both the purpose and result ofCase’s many years working within Brookhaven.

    “I just like to see things done in the city,” he said.