By Mike Arcand
After serving her country for 35 years in the United States Air Force and Air National Guard, Theresa Hairston isn’t slowing down. She’s simply trading one mission for another.
For Hairston, retirement isn’t about stepping away from purpose, it’s about creating more opportunities to serve her community, spend time with family, grow local businesses, and help introduce more women to the sport she loves. As Hairston puts it, “Retirement’s just the next chapter, and it’s not, you know, sitting and doing knitting, I don’t think.”
That same determination has guided her throughout a remarkable military career that began almost by accident.
An Unexpected Journey into Military Service
Growing up, Hairston never imagined herself wearing an Air Force uniform. She had planned to become a doctor, juggling full-time college while working three jobs to pay her own way through school. Eventually the workload became overwhelming.
“I was working three jobs and trying to do that and go to college full-time and live by myself,” she recalled. “The more that I worked, the worse my grades got.”
At her father’s suggestion, Hairston reluctantly visited an Air Force recruiter. “I was like, ‘Me in the military? That’ll never happen,'” she laughed.
But an aptitude test revealed an unexpected talent for electronics, leading her into aircraft maintenance. Hairston eventually spent 14 years working on aircraft before earning her commission as an officer and ultimately achieving her long-time goal of becoming an aircraft maintenance officer. Along the way, she also served as a public affairs officer, a role she says helped develop communication and leadership skills that would benefit her throughout the rest of her career.
A Retirement Celebration with a Purpose
When it came time to celebrate her retirement, Hairston wanted something different from the traditional military ceremony held on base. Instead, she chose Heroes Ranch near Quitman, Texas. The decision reflected more than simply finding a beautiful venue.
Hairston and her husband, Lloyd, first became involved with Heroes Ranch as volunteers during its grand opening before eventually helping organize the organization’s youth fishing tournament. They quickly embraced the ranch’s mission of serving veterans, first responders and their families. “I really wanted to get them awareness,” Hairston said. “That’s why I invited you guys out—just to really kind of share their story.”
The ceremony also became an opportunity to honor her late father, who passed away exactly one year before her retirement ceremony.
One of the people Hairston specifically wanted to recognize was Richard Gardner and the staff of Lowe-Gardner Funeral Home. “It would not have been the event it was without Heroes Ranch and Richard Gardner and his staff,” she said, explaining how they helped create a moving memorial display honoring her father with an 82nd Airborne uniform, flags, easels, printed programs, and other personal touches.
A Family Dedicated to Service
Military service runs deep throughout Hairston’s family. Her father served in the Army, while her stepfather was a Marine who served in Vietnam. Today, all four of her adult children have also chosen military service, continuing a tradition that spans multiple generations.
That legacy made her retirement ceremony especially meaningful, as family members gathered from across the country to celebrate not only her career, but a family commitment to serving others.
A New Chapter on Lake Fork
Today, much of Hairston’s attention is focused on Lake Fork Tackle Shack, the veteran-owned business she and Lloyd purchased after what she describes as an answered prayer.
“We bought this place based on a prayer,” she said.
The couple has transformed the shop into more than a tackle store. “It really is a veteran-friendly, veteran-owned, family-oriented business,” Hairston said. “We absolutely love it. That’s really what we shoot for, is just to make people feel like family when they come in.”
Located near one of Lake Fork’s busiest boat ramps, the store has become a destination for local anglers and visitors alike, offering live bait, custom fishing rods, and specialized Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) tackle that attracts serious bass fishermen from around the region.
Retirement Means More Time to Serve
Although she’s officially retired from military service, Hairston says her schedule may actually become busier. “I’m just blessed that we have this business that I get to be a part of more now,” she said. “So I can be more connected with the community, spending more time with my husband.” She also plans to devote additional time to Integrity Payments, where she helps businesses throughout the country while serving many clients throughout Wood County.
Beyond business, however, she’s looking forward to simply enjoying life on Lake Fork, spending more time on the water with Lloyd, fishing local tournaments, and supporting the Alba-Golden community where her daughter remains active in school activities.
Faith, Fishing, and Encouraging Women
Perhaps the project closest to Hairston’s heart is one that’s only beginning to take shape.
Called Faith in Fishin’, the ministry is designed to bring women together through faith, fellowship, and fishing.
“I’ve started a group. It’s called Faith in Fishin’,” Hairston explained. She envisions online devotionals, monthly gatherings at the tackle shop, and friendly fishing events that help introduce more women to the outdoors. The goal, she said, is simple: “Just getting women out on the water—more exposure and more education for women in the fishing industry.”
She also spoke proudly about another growing community organization, Housewives of Lake Fork, a Facebook group that began with just a handful of women meeting for drinks.
“It has grown to be some of the best women and support systems here in our area,” Hairston said. “We are a group of folks that support each other.”
Both organizations reflect her desire to strengthen relationships while encouraging more women to experience everything Lake Fork has to offer.
Thanking Those Who Made the Journey Possible
Throughout the interview, Hairston repeatedly returned to one theme: Gratitude. She made a point of recognizing the people and organizations that helped make both her military retirement and her family’s transition into civilian life so meaningful.
In addition to Heroes Ranch and Richard Gardner with Lowe-Gardner Funeral Home, she praised Monarch Express Media, led by Michael Mercadel and his wife, Kelly, for professionally recording and livestreaming her retirement ceremony. “They captured everything,” Hairston said while encouraging residents to support the faith-based business as it continues to grow.
A Life Still Defined By Service
Looking back over 35 years in uniform, it’s clear Theresa Hairston’s story isn’t simply about military achievement—it’s about leadership, perseverance, and a lifelong commitment to serving others.
Whether mentoring fellow Airmen, volunteering at Heroes Ranch, welcoming anglers into Lake Fork Tackle Shack or launching new opportunities for women through Faith in Fishin’, she continues to invest in the people around her. For Hairston, retirement isn’t the finish line. It’s simply the beginning of another chapter, one rooted in faith, family, community, and a desire to leave Wood County even stronger than she found it.