Mote recognized for 45 years of service to city

A longtime employee of the City of Durant was honored during a city council meeting earlier this month.

Rick Mote was recognized for 45 years of service to the City of Durant. He was presented a plaque, John Deere Case knife, and a check for $450. Mote was hired as an employee of the Durant Parks & Recreation Department in 1978 at the age of 20, and celebrated his anniversary on Wednesday, October 18.

“Whenever I first started, I’d been on the job a couple of weeks,” said Mote. “I was aware that there were guys that worked for the city that had been there 20, 25 nearly 30 years. Back then I thought, ‘how in the world does anybody ever stay on a job that long?’” Most often, Mote can be spotted driving a tractor, keeping the city’s landscaping in check. “It just seemed like the job fit me just like a glove,” he said. “A lot of it was hard work, but it wasn’t work to me.” His duties haven’t changed much since 1978, but fortunately, he now drives a tractor with a climate-controlled cab.

“Rick’s knowledge and experience is invaluable to the parks department,” said Parks and Recreation Director Ryan Brewer. “He is a fantastic worker who knows every detail about his job and anticipates what needs to be done.”

Mote’s dedication to the city has been evident over the last four-and-a-half decades. In 2004, he was recognized as the employee of the year. Then, in 2008, he played a key role in preparing the Multi-Sports Complex fields to bring them up to standards for the first collegiate softball tournament to be held at the new site.

“I can’t think of a better employee,” added Brewer. “Rick is fantastic.”

Although spending his life in the parks department wasn’t part of his original plan, he wouldn’t have it another way.

“I thank God for the opportunity and the ability to do it,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of help and support from the bosses, co-workers, and there’s been family and lots of friends that have been a big part in helping me get along, especially here recently.”