When two Clemson, South Carolina, utility workers were fixing a broken pipe off Riggs Drive, they stumbled upon a brass object buried in mud. The object turned out to be a Clemson University class of 1979 ring that had been missing for six years.
Discovery during routine work
Workers Austin and Landon were digging when they knocked a piece of copper fitting aside and noticed a glint. “I kept looking and realized it was a ring,” Austin recalled. The ring was wedged under a pipe, hidden in sediment, likely having fallen into a storm drain near the homeowner’s yard and traveling only a short distance downstream.
Owner’s long‑awaited reunion
Jody Hunter, the ring’s owner, had spent years searching for the lost heirloom, even hiring a metal‑detecting company, before assuming it was gone forever. “I’m so proud to wear something that I missed so significantly,” Hunter said after the ring was returned. He recalled wearing the ring at his graduation, wedding, the birth of his two daughters, and when his daughters received their own class rings.
When the utility crew handed the ring back, Hunter held back tears. “Oh wow. Thank you so much. I appreciate it. I’m glad we can get it back,” he said, describing the moment as “absolutely incredible” and “a day I’ll never forget.”
How the ring was identified
The workers used the engravings on the band to trace the owner, enlisting help from the Clemson Alumni Association. Their quick action ensured the ring was returned to the right hands on Tuesday, completing a circle of memories for Hunter and his family.
Lessons learned
Hunter admitted he had been postponing a resizing of the ring before it disappeared. He now plans to have it resized, having learned the value of safeguarding treasured items. Austin and Landon reflected on the rarity of their find, calling it “insane” that they even saw the ring.
This heart‑warming story highlights the unexpected ways everyday workers can make a profound impact on their community, preserving personal histories and bringing joy to longtime residents.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
