Longtime Newton business under new ownership

Jacobs Electric Motor & Auto Electric in Newton has been co-owned by two family members since 1975 but both have decided to step away from the business, which led to it being sold to a pair of brothers from rural Killduff.

Forty-four years ago, Randy Jacobs along with his uncle Marv Jacobs decided to go into business together and open a shop to provide residents with the electrical-type work for automobiles. Jacobs Electric still offers those services to Jasper County residents.

“I worked for a shop of this type for about 12 years before this ... That’s what I knew how to do,” Marv Jacobs said.

Randy Jacobs, much like Marv, has spent most of his life around cars.

Randy Jacobs said his relationship with his uncle has grown over the years of running the business together, and he is thankful the community has supported them with everything they have been doing over the years.

As Marv Jacobs’ full-time job for the past four decades, one could say that’s how he has made his living, but working for a company that length of time offers up more than just a steady paycheck.

“It’s been a living, that’s for sure. It’s been an important item. It’s fun to deal with the farmers, the public. I’m going to miss it tremendously,” Marv Jacobs said.

As Randy and Marv made the decision to sell the business, it has given them time to reflect on what they've enjoyed the most. For Marv, the job was just who he is.

“It’s just part of me, I guess,” Marv Jacobs said.

Marv Jacobs has also considered what to do with all of his free time after the transition is complete.

“I don’t have much for plans. Not planning on working very hard,” Marv Jacobs said through laughter.

After serving the Jasper County area for this long, close connections and friendships have been made through the work he has provided to their customers.

“We definitely appreciate all the customers we’ve had. It’s been a fun trip. I’m gonna miss it when it’s all over,” Marv Jacobs said.

With Jacobs stepping away from the business, it left a void of who would take over the reins. That is where two brothers, Eric and Jason Stock, of rural Killduff, stepped up to the plate.

Jason Stock’s experience comes from years of tinkering with cars on his own time and working with grain bins. Eric Stock has spent several years as a mechanic on heavy machinery.

“I was a heavy mechanic for the last 12 years and it’s just a lot smaller than what I dealt with before,” Eric Stock said.

Jacobs Electric is a little different than an average auto mechanic shop. They don’t deal with the basic auto services and repairs but simply fix issues that stem from the electrical systems in vehicles.

“Every other business like this was closed and I didn’t have anywhere to take my stuff to fix so I had to learn how,” Jason Stock said. “We only work on electric stuff, no oil changes, no brakes, no tire repair just electronic troubleshooting ... If you blow a fuse we will figure out why.”

Even though the business will now be operated by different people, Jason Stock wants Newton and the Jasper County area to know the services Jacobs Electric has provided and the way it’s been provided will remain the same under their guidance.

“The service they have come to expect is still going to be here in Newton and we are going to try and fill the big shoes that we have to fill. This place stays here, right in Newton where it belongs,” Jason Stock said.

Both Randy and Marv Jacobs will continue working at the shop as it transitions to the Stock brothers.

*Editor's Note: This story has been updated from its original version to include more information about co-owner Randy Jacobs. He was unintentionally omitted from the original story.

Contact Dustin Teays at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or dteays@newtondailynews.com