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JOHN ROLEY
John Roley, a native of Lincoln, Nebraska, who has been the car dealer here in Littlefield since 1989, has decided to hang up the keys after 45 years in the Automotive industry.
Roley received his Business degree from University of Nebraska and left Lincoln when he was 22-years old. He went to work for General Motors in the Cheverolet division in the accounting department in Dallas, Tx.
“As I worked for General Motors, I was a District Manager in Enid, Oklahoma, and then I got transferred to Lubbock, Tx,” he explained. “I worked for General Motors in Lubbock and then I left and went to work for a dealer in Lubbock for about seven years.”
Roley stated that he was able to buy the dealership in Littlefield in 1989. He also purchased the dealership in Levelland about eight years ago.
Roley talked about what made him decided on Littlefield, saying, “These delearships are franchises, so they only come available every so many years. Dutch Wilkinson owned this one and his son had just graduated from Texas A&M University and was interested in banking.”
He added, “At that point, Dutch just didn’t want to do this anymore. He was the dealer in Littlefield for about 10 years, who primarily sold oldsmobiles and GMC’s, before he got the Chevy franchise appointed and moved out here to this building. That is when I bought it from him and his wife Brenda.”
Roley talked about what made him want to get into the automotive industry, saying, “The first word I ever spoke was car, so I’ve been crazy about cars all of my life.”
“My dad ran a Volkswagon/Porshe agency and as a youth I would go down there and sweep floors or pick up trash and my pay was a Coke and a Hershey,” he recalled. “My boyhood friend’s dad worked for General Motors and he would come up and see the old neighborhood – they were living in Dallas, Tx. His dad was still with General Motors, so I sent him a resume and he sent the letter back, saying that they would keep it on file. That is how I got my job for General Motors, was through family connections. I have always been crazy about the Chevys.”
Roley talked about what he has enjoyed most about working in the car industry, saying, “I’m crazy about cars. You get a lot of information before the cars come out and as a boy, I always wanted to watch the transports being unloaded. And, even now, I still like to go out there and look at the transports when they unload them.”
He added, “Also, I’ve been here so long that we’re seeing grandchildren buying cars from me, who I sold their grandparents cars. You develop a close relationship with people. Cars are the second most expensive things people typically buy, right behind a house and so it is important that they feel good about it and get the value and the right car that they need.”
He talked about what it has been like being a part of the Littlefield and Levelland communities over the years, saying, “I’ve been involved in a lot of civic events; the Waylon Jennings Days, I’ve been the Chamber of Commerce President, Rotary President, on different Committees, the theater downtown, I was on the Duggan House Committee originally, and different things like that. It is good to see things grow and develop.”
Roley talked about what made him decide to retire, saying, “I’m 67 years old, but you never really know when the right time to retire is,” he stated. “My wife recently retired as well and we have two grandchildren in Houston.”
He added, “I’ve got some ranch and farm property out here that I would like to build a condo on to hang out on the weekends.”
Roley stated, “I’ve really been proud of our employees throughout the years. We’ve had some wonderful employees that have turned out some great kids. It is very humbling to see these kids grow up and become parents themselves.”
He added, “We’ve also been involved with the stock shows and different athletic events and have watched these young men and women grow up to be productive adults. I think this is a great place to raise your child and is a great place for anyone who is looking for a lot of value. It has been an honor to be the dealer here in Littlefield.”
Roley also wanted to thank the late Dale Walthall and late George Richardson for their help and guidance over the years.