Friday, February 24, 2012
(Angelique McNaughton/Tribune)
Owner of Boone’s Barbershop Ralph “Boone” Cosens turned “80 years young,” as he describes it, on Wednesday and city leaders decided to honor him with the proclamation.
“He told me about his 80th birthday and we talked about what we could do to recognize him,” City Manager Dave Martin said.
Martin said the honor was fitting because of Cosens’ many years of serving the community through his business on Main Street.
“Our people are everything. Our citizens are everything and we have to recognize and encourage them and tell people thank you,” Martin said.
Throughout the day on Wednesday, family and friends stopped and visited Cosens at his barbershop. Some offered a quick “happy birthday” while others dropped off presents, briefly lingering for cake and coffee.
Cosens chose to stay humble about the whole experience. When he was asked what’s special about the day, he said “today is just another day.”
On the other hand, his wife of 56 years, Kay, articulated for him how he really felt.
“He was emotional about the whole proclamation,” she said. “He’s getting emotional now. But I just thought it was fantastic and touching.”
Originally from Linn County, Cosens decided to become a barber during his service in the Navy.
He came to Fort Scott in 1967, and at the time, there were 21 barbers and 13 shops operating in town. That number has now dwindled to three, he said.
In his nearly 60 years in the business, Cosens estimates he’s cut about 342,000 heads, including that of Realtor Phil Hammons.
Hammons started getting his hair cut at Boone’s Barbershop about 10 years ago. Describing Cosens as a good barber and friend, Hammons said he never makes him wait and lets him bring in his dachshund, Roxy.
“I enjoy talking with Boone,” Hammons said. “I think he just defines gentleman in every sense of the word. He’s a very gentle man, good sense of humor, doesn’t speak ill of anyone even though I always try to get him to gossip, he just won’t.”
Another longtime customer, Cosens’ son, Brent, attended the informal gathering boasting about his dad.
“I think the honor was deserving and quite a tribute to a landmark business in Fort Scott,” Brent said.
Back when, Cosens worked 12 to 13 hour days, six days a week. Now he’s on the job “four days a week unless his wife has plans for him,” according to the proclamation.
Kay said she hopes her husband retires soon, but he’s so indecisive she never knows what to expect.
If it’s up to him, he’ll never put down the scissors. Cosens says he doesn’t “have time to.”
“You do it while you can,” he said. “You die when you retire.”
Angelique McNaughton 