Despite a couple of factors that may have deterred others, Randall Newton has always felt welcomed in Kingfi sher.

Perhaps that’s why, after starting as the Kingfisher Farm Service Agency’s county executive director (CED) more than 32 years ago, he’s still here.

“Initial acceptance as a young CED was very important to my enjoyable career,” Newton said.

That career offi cially comes to an end Friday, Nov. 29, as Newton’s retirement becomes effective.

To honor him, the FSA staff is hosting a reception from 1:30-3:30 pm. Friday– his last day – at the USDA Service Center, located at 1600 S. 13th St in Kingfi sher.

The public is invited to the reception.

When he began his career, Newton’s office was located at the “round-top” which was the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service building on the north end of town.

He got to Kingfi sher via Cleo Springs, but with a couple of stops in between.

Newton graduated Aline-Cleo High School in 1982 and then earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Oklahoma State University in 1986.

That set him up on a one-year stint as a trainee with the FSA in Purcell in McClain County.

Then Newton was hired as the CED here by the FSA County Committee…but barely, he was told.

“Kenneth Yost always reminded me the vote to hire me was 2-1 and he never told me who voted ‘no,’” Newton said. “While it is too late to ask him or Jack Woods, maybe James Foster will share after I am retired.”

Admittedly, that vote stayed with him.

“The whole idea did serve to keep me on my toes for 32-plus years,” he said.

Regardless of the vote, Newton said Kingfi sher almost instantly became home.

“I have always felt welcomed and a part of the community,” he said. “Even as a 23-year-old waiting by the back door to be let into work my fi rst day at the round-top.”

That day was Sept. 8, 1987, the day after Labor Day.

Some of his more diffi cult times early on didn’t pertain to area producers. It was Mother Nature.

Multiple floods from 1987 through 1989 prompted the need to move from the round-top.

“It was more diffi cult than many would believe to gain approval to move from the flood-prone location,” Newton said.

Move, they did and then again on Aug. 1, 2000, to the current location, which is owned by the Kingfi sher County Conservation District.

“I consider the current office space and relationship with the Conservation District to be one of the successes of my career,” he said.

There was a high level of participation and trust the FSA achieved with county producers, which Newton considered another accomplishment.

“I believe producers appreciated the effort we put into ensuring they were informed and fairly treated when it comes to programs FSA administers,” he said. “In turn, they were honest and patient with us as we worked through program details.”

He said the county committee has also played a vital role in the success of his offi ce.

“We never had to hustle and chase qualifi ed, willing producers to serve on the county committee,” Newton said. “The results were a consistent level of high-quality, respected leaders forming our COC.”

There was also longevity among the FSA staff.

“One of my great joys has been those outstanding, core co-workers that I served with for 25-plus years: Betty Frazier, Donna Thomas, Madalea Russell, Paula uan, Lori Annuschat, Justin Post and Cassandra Smith,” he said.

“And there were numerous really good employees that I had the pleasure of working with for shorter periods of time, including some great trainees who make me proud every time I look and see them serving as CEDs across the state.”

There’s also the personal side of the last three decades.

Newton met his wife, then Sandy Garr, in 1987. They raised their children, Tara and Grant, in Kingfisher Public Schools.

Both are now married and working on their own professional careers.

“My career as CED of Kingfisher County would not have been complete without the blessing of meeting my wife and the pleasure of raising my children right here,” Newton said.

After spending the last 32 years focused on customer service, Newton’s time will now be spent elsewhere.

“The main focus will be to ‘catch up’ many tasks I ignored on my farming operation while working a 40-hour week,” he said. “I intend to spend more time working with our parents as well.”