This column serves as a spotlight, highlighting the everyday people who work and live in Callaway County. The Fulton Sun takes a moment with someone who is not usually featured in the news, but is just as instrumental in making our community the strong and beautiful place we all know and love.
Jared LaRue is a native of Hannibal and has lived in various corners of the state. His path ultimately led him to Fulton, where he attended St. Peter Catholic School through eighth grade and received his diploma from Fulton High School. He received his bachelor's degree in hospitality from the University of Missouri. LaRue is an assistant manager at Ashley Furniture in Jefferson City.
Q. What was your first job?
A. My first job was right here in Callaway County at the Fulton Pizza Hut. I was a cook.
Q. Who most inspires you (living or dead)?
A. To be honest, it would be my father, even though there's never been a great relationship between the two of us. He is the definition of integrity and drive.
Q. What have you done in life that was most fulfilling?
A. Having traveled. I can name seven states that I haven't been to in the United States.
Q. What is something you are proud of that you have been recognized for?
A. That's a hard question to answer, but I would say graduating from Mizzou.And it wasn't the day I graduated, it was the day I found out, "Hey, you're graduating," from my counselor. I was ecstatic after that.
Q. What profession, other than your own, would you like to attempt?
A. Being a national park ranger. I love Mother Nature.
Q. What profession would you not like to do?
A. Telemarketing. What I do is based off of sales; I do sales every day. I would hate to be so cold and get hung up on all the time. Telemarketing, man, I couldn't do it.
Q. What is something that nobody would be able to assume about you?
A. My creativity. No one's going to come up to me and notice I'm a creative person. I mean, I've done several things, I'm a jack of all trades. I've done a lot of woodworking that has been in stores in Nashville. Every year I give woodwork to my sister. I do a lot of disc golf. I get along and build a community throughout disc golf - not on my own, like I am a teeny tiny part in how that's come together - but I love building a culture.
Q. What is your favorite thing about Callaway County?
A. The people here are genuine. They are respectful. They are everyday people who have something going in their own lives, but they respect each other as a community. It just makes me feel good.