Metzler grew up in Kettering where he was active in his church youth group and traveled to Tennessee to join with other church youth remodeling a school. After graduating in the last Fairmont High School class in 1964, Metzler decided to attend barber school.
“My dad worked at NCR and he told me, ‘Don’t work in a factory if you don’t have to,’ ” said Metzler, who heeded his father’s words in selecting a career. “The first people we worked on were off the streets and we did them for free. The school was located on Fifth Street in Dayton, so we were able to get people.”
Metzler learned barber techniques no longer practiced like using razor straps, pronounced strops, to sharpen his razors and giving hot shaves. After nine months at barber school, Metzler graduated and was hired by Don Rotterman to work as an apprentice barber at Plaza Barbershop in Xenia.
In 1966, Metzler was drafted into the military where the U.S. Navy wisely put him to work as a barber.
“I worked on a troop transport ship that carried Marines,” said Metzler, who made stops in France, Italy, Greece, Malta and Gibraltar. “I also ran the laundry and worked in the store rooms. I was called a ships serviceman.”
In December 1968, Metzler returned to his barber position at Plaza Barber Shop in Xenia. He also met his wife, Vickie, who worked as a cashier at the Westward Ho restaurant in Xenia. The couple wed in July 1969, and lived in Xenia. The Metzler’s have two children: Jennifer Metzler Rainwaters, who lives in Lebanon with her husband, Andrew, and two children; and Danny, who lives in Centerville and works as a part-time custodian for the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District and as a part-time home remodeler in Centerville.
Jennifer was born March 1 on Vickie Metzler’s birthday, while Danny was born March 29 on Joe Metzler’s birthday.
In 1976, following the tornado in Xenia, the Metzlers moved into a home in Bellbrook that featured a basement. Metzler began working at second jobs including driving as a substitute on school buses in Bellbrook, where his sister Elaine Lyons, also worked for the school district. He also drove a school bus in Beavercreek for 25 years and cut hair at the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Orphanage in Xenia from 1973-80. In 2000, following the death of Don Rotterman, Metzler became part owner of the Plaza Barber Shop.
Contact this columnist at (937) 432-9054 or jjbaer@aol.com.
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