Longtime SWEPCO employee Perry Jones entered this world five minutes ahead of his brother, Terry, on April 15, 1959, but earlier this month in Gilmer, Texas they shared the spotlight, side-by-side, leading the annual holiday Yuletide Parade. 

Closely behind the parade's grand marshal, the twin brothers followed, driving vehicles from their respective employers. Perry has worked with SWEPCO for 18 years and his brother, Terry, with Upshur Rural Electric for 25 years.

"It's a unique situation, coming together in the parade, side-by-side," explained Perry who says one of the parade organizers arranged for the moment after hearing about the twins wish to one day lead the parade.

Perry and his brother actually worked together back in the late 1980's before going to work at different electric companies. Despite both brothers working out of offices in Gilmer, TX, Perry says many in town still struggle to tell them apart.

"It doesn't take much to communicate between us," answered Perry when asked about having a twin sibling. But their competitive spirit has always been at full-throttle since birth, culminating in a personal battle to out-decorate the other for the parade.

"I told him, 'You can't beat us', as he was still putting lights on his truck," laughed Perry. 

Perry adds both he and his brother are considering retirement next year. He says he'll miss all the relationships he's made with his SWEPCO colleagues, but it will allow him to spend more time with his family, including his twin granddaughters.