Having A Vision

For people who lose their vision later in life, adjusting to the change can be a difficult obstacle to overcome. For Jeff, the Owner and General Manager of J&R Ace Hardware, the loss of vision hasn’t slowed him down or prevented him from reaching his goals.

While in high school, Jeff started to have problems with his vision. He was diagnosed with Stargardt Disease, a rare eye condition that affects the central part of the retina that is responsible for sharp, detailed vision.

For Jeff, working at Ace Hardware has allowed him to serve his community, even under the most difficult conditions. When Hurricane Beryl ravaged his local community of Porter, Texas, in July of 2024, Jeff and his teammates at Ace Hardware jumped into action in any way they could.

"When it comes to our store, Jeff is very hands on. During Hurricane Beryl, we kept our store open," said Rob, Jeff’s Dad.

For people who lose their vision later in life, adjusting to the change can be a difficult obstacle to overcome. For Jeff, the Owner and General Manager of J&R Ace Hardware, the loss of vision hasn’t slowed him down or prevented him from reaching his goals.

"Jeff felt like he couldn’t help out as much in the store with his vision loss, so he stood outside and literally pumped propane for 12 hours straight, for three days in a row," said Aaron, J&R Ace Hardware Lead Manager.

One of the ways Jeff has adapted to being visually impaired is to rely on a guide dog Audie. Together, they are a dynamic team focused on delighting their local customers.

"I have very supportive people around me, whether it be my family, friends, or my group of employees," said Jeff.

Supporting his community through Ace is only the beginning for Jeff. He dreams of one day opening a school for the blind near Porter.