RDO Retiree Ready to Hit the Road

Tom Hixon recently retired after working at RDO Equipment for 15 years. He stated that he will miss all the people Ive grown to working with, as well as interacting with customers. Hixon said that he hopes to keep in touch with colleagues. He said that he was a little sad to go, as RDO was like a 2nd home.
He started at RDO on Feb. 9th, 2009. His first position was cleaning combines and the store. He moved up to small engine repairs things like Gators and lawnmowers. Eventually, he moved to the parts counter, where he spent 11 years. He received training through John Deere University.
Hixon said that RDO was a good place to work, and that he was treated fairly. He thought he did a pretty good job there. He said It takes a lot to get under my skin. Most customers, he said, were great. He did also learn patience in his time at the parts counter.
Parts counter coworker Shawn Hardin said Everybody loved seeing Tom. You didnt walk away without a smile on your face. Hardin said that coworkers will miss Hixons smile. He didnt speak a lot, but he made people smile. He described Hixon as hard-working, respectful, and always willing to lend a hand. He stated that people relied on Hixon. Hardin stated that Hixon helped him out in his own career. Hes the reason Im here, and Ive been here 7 years. he said. (Its notable that Hardin is Hixons stepson.)
Jackie Raghez, another parts counter colleague, said that Hixon helped her out a lot as well. She mentioned that she came from a different industry, and Hixon helped her adjust. He helped a lot. He has a laid-back, easygoing personality. He was always willing to help. she said.
Hixons parents grew up in Redfield. His dad was in the military, so they moved around a lot. Hixon was born in Germany, on base. He graduated from high school in New Mexico. He worked for a bit in Oklahoma, then wound up in Houston, TX. This led him to Dallas, where he worked at ABC Doors for 26 years.
Hixon and family moved to Frankfort in 2008. They raised 6 kids there. Eventually, they wanted to be closer to town. They moved off the farm to a place in Redfield. They live with a small dog, 2 kittens, and many hermit crabs. They have 16 grandchildren. Dawn Hixon said Our grown children and our grandbabies mean the most to us.
Hixon was gifted a Rossi 92 Colt .45 long rifle as a going-away present. The Hixons said that they were happy that Tom could retire at this age. For the meantime, plans were to take the summer off then look for part-time work. Some camping trips were planned in fact, the Hixons were preparing for a big trip when we spoke. Tom Hixon, who described himself as a tinkerer had plans for his garage/man cave. He also had his eye on a tree that needed cutting, and a driveway that needed work.
Beyond that, they planned to do some more traveling, and to hang out with the kids and grandkids. I dont ever want to lie down. Tom Hixon said. Dawn Hixon said shes excited about her husbands retirement. Im the new sugar mama!