Freddie Kish was first exposed to an automotive shop as a teenager while helping out his father.
Jerry Larson / Waco Tribune-Herald

Who

Freddie Kish, 60, owner of Freddie Kish’s Complete Car Care Center.

1st summer job

Kish had three “first jobs.” Kish helped his dad out at the automotive shop he ran, mowed lawns and worked a newspaper delivery route in Gainesville, Texas.

Age

Kish was 12 when he started his paper route and lawn mowing business, although he grew up in the automotive business.

“All my life Daddy would take me down to the shop, even when I was just a little tyke,” Kish said.

When he was 13, Kish was in charge of his father’s 24-hour wrecker service. By the time Kish was a sophomore in high school, about the time many people get their first job, he worked full time to provide for the family when his father was ill.

Pay

Kish made 50 cents per yard he mowed and $10 to $15 a week from his paper route.

“My daddy bought me a lawnmower and I had to pay him back that $35. I’ll never forget that,” said Kish, who made about $40 that summer by mowing lawns. His father paid him just enough to be able to buy the things he needed. “I’ve always bought my clothes myself,” Kish said.

Loved

Kish’s strong work ethic was well rewarded by the customers on his paper route.

“I loved the gifts. At Christmas they gave me candy: homemade cookies, divinity, fudge. They liked the fact that I always put the paper right where it was supposed to be,” he said.

Despite such perks, Kish found his niche working in the automotive industry, a passion that hasn’t faded. “I don’t have a hobby. Work is my hobby. I love it.”

Hated

“I really disliked getting up in the middle of the night and working a wreck in the snow or ice, and then working all day. Next night I might get sleep, I might not,” said Kish, who was on call at all hours while running the wrecker service.

Lessons learned

“I learned responsibility at a young age,” said Kish, who added, “My dad was my mentor. Everything I learned I learned from him.”

Advice on summer jobs

“Whatever you do, if you find a job, you need to stick wth it. You need to learn responsibility and a respect for people,” Kish said.

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