Betty Blubaugh, who has operated a State Farm agency in Parsons since Jan. 1, 1991, is retiring at the end of September after nearly 34 years in the business.
A public reception for her will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at her State Farm office, 1730 Broadway.
A 1980 graduate of Pittsburg State University, Blubaugh and her husband, Sam, lived in Parsons but worked in different towns. She worked at Kmart in Independence and he worked in Frontenac. After 10 1/2 years in Independence, Betty Blubaugh had an opportunity to work for State Farm in Parsons, taking over the office of Mary Norell at 1812 Broadway in 1991.
She offered property and casualty, life and health insurance. For a time Blubaugh’s agency also handled mutual funds.
On Jan. 1, 1998, her office moved to 1730 Broadway after the former KG&E Customer Center moved and she and her husband bought the building.
She said the insurance agency has changed over the years. She moved from paper quotes to computers within the first year of opening.
Blubaugh remembered working a lot of late nights in the first year, learning how to handle the various products of State Farm. Money was lean that first year but networking and asking about insurance needs of those she met proved beneficial.
Technology has changed the business in her career. Now many people pay for insurance by automatic transfers instead of dropping payments by the office. Some still drop by the offi ce, she said, but the walk-in traffic isn’t as much as it was in previous years. Walk-ins have been business opportunities in the past.
The aftermath of the April 19, 2000, tornado was the hardest she’s had to work in the agency. She said she would work long hours and then go out to the community to visit customers.
“That was the hardest I ever had to work. Because I couldn’t
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hardly get out because everything was torn up. … I did get a lot of business,” she said by visiting with insured customers and answering questions of those with other insurance coverage. “It was the best August I ever had because I think people saw me out and about.”
Over the years, Blubaugh’s office has sponsored youth sports teams and other events. She and her husband have served on numerous community boards and committees.
She’s served on the Labette Community College Foundation board and other committees at the college. She served on the former arts and crafts fair board. The arts and crafts fair was generally in the fall in downtown Parsons. She served on the former Downtown Parsons Inc. board and was co-president with Karen Haynes. She also served on the Parsons Presbyterian Manor board.
Her office features a cardboard cutout of Jake from State Farm, from commercial fame. The actor Kevin Miles has portrayed Jake since about 2020. Jake’s character started in 2011 with a commercial featuring a man talking to an insurance agent in the wee hours and his suspicious wife grabbing the phone from him. “What are you wearing, ‘Jake from State Farm?’” she asked. The answer included khakis.
Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Andy Reid from the Kansas City Chiefs also appeared on State Farm commercials.
Blubaugh said these characters and appearances have improved the company’s standing in the country.
Even today, kids will drop by her office to take their picture with the Jake cutout, she said.
When the Jake commercials first started, Blubaugh said she would be visiting with customers by phone. Inevitably, the question was asked.
“Hey, Betty, by the way, what are you wearing?”
Khakis. “That was funny.” Her sales proficiency earned awards and perks from State Farm, including the purchase of a large display case in her office that held various cars. She also won a signed basketball from Kansas University Coach Bill Self. She gave that ball to one of her four brothers.
Blubaugh said State Farm will begin notifying customers soon about her retirement. Her local customers at least will transfer to State Farm agent Hunter O’Neal, 3021 Main.
She said she will miss the customer contact and hearing and sharing stories with them.
“Because all of my insurers become my friends. I get to know them and I know where they live. And I get to know their kids and grandkids. And a lot of times their kids become my insurers. I’m going to miss that,” she said.
“It’s been a great career,” Blubaugh said. “I’m so proud that I got to be selected to be a State Farm agent.”
She said she’s looking forward to retirement and spending more time with Sam, traveling, working in the yard and reorganizing her home after her career.
Blubaugh said her State Farm office space will be leased in the future.
