Lyndol Watson retired from a great career with Kraft Foods. He worked his way up the ladder to San Antonio area sales manager. It's easy to see why he rose through the ranks. The guy has a great attitude and a wonderful personality. He loves life and it shows in everything he does.
I went to San Antonio's Olmos Basin Golf Course to interview Lyndol. His retirement job is the Pro Shop Assistant. He runs the retail shop three days a week. While I was there he was able to juggle an interview, handle a constantly ringing phone, deal with the players checking in, and sell merchandise to shoppers. He did it all with finesse and a big old smile. Lyndol says it's his job to give that smile away. Especially to anyone who looks like they might be having a bad day.
Lyndol thinks of himself as a man who is lucky. He gets to work in the two fields he loves most, golf and basketball. He played basketball at Hardin Simmons University.
The golf course job allows Lyndol to meet what he considers the finest folks around. He's made lifetime friends playing golf. He challenges himself to stay sharp by memorizing his clientele. He enjoys getting to know them. He called all the regular players by name and asked about their buddies and families. He was better than most politicians that's for sure.
When asked about his golf play, he grinned and told me, as an employee he is exempt from fees, but doesn't get to play as much as he would like. Since 1986, he's played once a week with the same buddies. He loves every minute of it.
On Lyndol's second part time job he is "Coach" Watson. He is the assistant varsity coach for the girl's basketball at Antonian College Preparatory High School. It is a Catholic school and competes in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. Lyndol is proudest that his girls are for the most part honor roll students and 99% go to college. Since retirement Lyndol has coached at two schools for a total of nine years. He says he enjoys every day he's involved.
Carla, Lyndol's wife, has become the team's biggest fan and attends all the games. He says she has developed a great relationship with the kids and their parents. Carla's involvement is a positive influence on the team and a big deal to Lyndol as well.
The team competes at a high level and plays all the big schools in the city. In the parochial league Antonian has been to the Texas state final four, four of the last five years. I don't care where you're from that's a fine record. The team won 30 games last year. I would say the kids are getting some great coaching.
Lyndol says he is the luckiest guy in the world. He had a great career with Kraft and now has two dream jobs. I think he's found the way to "Retire Right".
John Boykin, The Hard Hat Photographer
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