CHARLOTTE -- A school crossing guard in Charlotte is well-known among his students but now he's up for a major national award.

James Gaither, 82, is a crossing guard at Eastover Elementary School and Barringer Academic Center.

For a decade, he has huided students to and from school.

While being a school crossing guard is all about keeping kids safe, parents say 'Stop Sign James' does a lot more than just hold a sign.

"It's nice to have somebody be kind to you in the morning with all the hustle. It just makes the day better," said Sparkle Whisnant, a parent. 

His wife was a crossing guard, but after getting tired of the early hours, Gaither took over.

"I get up, get me a cup of coffee [and] when I turn to the obituary column and my name isn't there, I feel like it's going to be a good day," he told us.

While he has a few years on the people he protects, he says they keep him young. 

"They just treat me royally. [they] make me feel like someone important, and that just flips my mind."

The students will come and go as they get older and move into middle school, but the one thing that doesn't change is Gather -- a constant force who protects. 

Mr. Gaither was recently nominated as America’s Favorite Crossing Guard.

To vote for him, visit here.

Get the latest news, sports and weather delivered straight to your inbox. Click here to sign up for email and text alerts.