Dwayne Blair took his post in front of Ooltewah Middle School precisely at 6:45 a.m. By shortly after 7 a.m., the sun was rising and cars were moving - in the span of two minutes, including one stop, 37 cars moved in front of the former Marine, heading east on Ooltewah-Ringgold Road.
Thirty-five of the drivers waved at the crossing guard, perhaps the most well-known person in Collegedale but whose name very few know.
"He makes people happy," said OMS principal Dawn Lim. "And he keeps kids safe."
Blair still looks like a Marine. The precise movements of his white-gloved hands - stop, proceed, turn left, turn right - as he stands erect in the middle of the road require obedience from the machines around him.
The only thing that breaks the military precision during his morning and afternoon tours of duty is the large smile on his face as he acknowledges a wave from inside a car or bus.
"I just love doing what I do because I do think it helps the community. It's not about the money, but it is about helping people along their way," said Blair, who has been in front of Ooltewah Middle School and Wolftever Creek Elementary School for the past three years.
A man of deep faith, he added, "I value my Christian beliefs, and I always pray when I am coming out here for the Lord to give me the wisdom and knowledge to do my job the right way, and he does. You just don't ever know what people are going through, what's going on as they pass by. So I try to smile and be professional.
"I have had people stop and tell me they were having a bad morning and 'thanks for the smile.' I've had a couple of people stop and tell me about their cancer and what they were going through. I could encourage them, and it makes them happy. I think it makes a difference."
Blair has been a crossing guard for 10 years, first in Cleveland for six years and now in Collegedale. He is contracted through the city of Collegedale and supervised by the police department. He said he makes about $14 an hour for the 20 hours he stands sentry each week.
Lim, who is in her first year at Ooltewah Middle, said that thanks to Blair, she never worries about what is going on in front of her school during the busy hour before classes start.
"He's very entertaining," said Lim. "I don't know him as well as others, but everyone here loves him. I saw him one morning running to his place about 6:40 because he had to be there by 6:45."
Blair lives in Cleveland, where he ran a car detail shop for seven years. He has been married for 20 years and is the father of two young adult children.
He has no plans to stop being a crossing guard for years to come, he said. At least, if he can help it.
"I have seen good stuff and bad stuff," said Blair. "The scariest was a lady who was going to run me over if I didn't move. I saw the lady coming into the school zone going 55 or 60. I pointed at her to stop and gave her the 'slow down' sign. She gunned the engine and I told her to stop. The third time [I motioned at her], she put it all the way to the floor and came right at me. I had a couple of seconds to get out of the way. I never thought anyone would really try to hit me."
Email Davis Lundy at davislundy@aol.com.