Friendswood's Capt. Jim Coonrod retires from Galveston-Texas City Harbor Pilots

Capt. Jim Coonrod of the Galveston-Texas City Harbor Pilots has retired after 38 years of service.

Capt. Jim Coonrod of the Galveston-Texas City Harbor Pilots has retired after 38 years of service.

Coonrod made his career as a mariner, navigating waterways in places such as the Mediterranean Sea, South China Sea and the North Atlantic before coming to Galveston.

He left high school in Colorado in 1963 at the age of 16 to prepare for a life at sea.

Graduating from Texas A&M in 1967, he worked in the maritime industry until his retirement.

Coonrod became a Galveston-Texas City Harbor Pilot in 1973 and has piloted approximately 14,000 ships during his career.

To honor his retirement, a reception was held at the San Luis Hotel, where friends, family and colleagues gathered to honor and thank him.

A state proclamation signed by Gov. Rick Perry was presented to Coonrod.

According to the press release, at the reception retired Capt. Jack Smith said, "Our profession is better because of Jim."