He cannot remember the exact year, but knows it was a few days before Christmas. James Thomas “Bubba” Rainer had spent a few years on the job as Vicksburg’s public works director when the call came that the city had lost all of its gas service.

City workers had to cut off the gas meters for all of the 9,000 customers — and go door-to-door to do it. With every meter off, gas power was restored, but then every customer had to be reconnected. Rainer chuckled as he recalled how city workers would use anyone with a flashlight and a book of matches to help.

Crews from Hattiesburg and other cities sent volunteers. He can remember that it was a good Christmas — the gas was back on.

Bubba Rainer has answered calls when the bridge over the railroad tracks at Washington and Clark streets went out — twice. When the city’s most crucial water main on Washington Street was on the verge of rupturing because of a land shift in 2010, he answered the call. When a snake worked its way through someone’s plumbing, Rainer was notified. When rats sat on the top of toilet seats, he was on speed dial. For 35 years, Bubba Rainer was Vicksburg’s go-to man.

He was head of 12 departments, had more people work under him than he, literally, could even fathom and he knew the inner workings of the city’s infrastructure like the back of his hand.

Rainer became public works director in 1986 after the retirement of Garnet Van Norman, who had held the post for about 40 years. Rainer credits Van Norman and then-City Clerk Marie Pantoliano as being instrumental in his career.

After his formal stepping down on Friday, Rainer’s future is wide open. His wife, Tricia, retired from the Vicksburg Warren School District last year and now is a consultant. He said he would entertain the idea of a similar position, if offered.

Vicksburg owes a debt to Bubba Rainer, a man whose knowledge kept the city running for 35 years. His departure is difficult — because of experience and familiarity.

Some at the city are talking about promoting city engineer Garnet Van Norman, the son of Rainer’s predecessor, to the public works post. He’s been there 20 years; he’d be a wise choice. He certainly has learned at the knee of the master.