I ate there once.....just once.
Posted on 07/08/2017 1:23:22 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Fred Sizemore started working when he was 14 and never stopped – but recently he's had a tough time finding employment.
"I don't mind working hard," the Lexington, North Carolina man told WGHP. "There are people who say they can't find anything, well, those people don't like to work."
After his first job at Wimpy's Hamburgers in Dayton, Ohio, Sizemore's driven trucks, owned a cleaning business, worked in a factory and owned a restaurant. He retired at 65, but has continued working odd jobs because, he says, it keeps him young.
Sizemore is now 86 years old.
"It gets boring laying around the house," Sizemore chuckled. "Plus, everybody wants something to do that they like to do."
He's never had a problem finding work, until this summer. He said his mowing jobs have disappeared and the jobs he's applied for never called back. Sizemore's granddaughter, Misty Causey, said she believes it's because of his age.
"For a lot of people, when you hear the age of 86, they're scared because of health reasons and putting them out there by themselves," Causey explained. "But he's healthy and able to do it, so why not give him a chance?"
Sizemore said he's willing to do just about anything, from pressure washing, to mowing, even working in a factory. He said if it's experience you're looking for, he's your guy.
"I'm cheaper for one thing, now I'm not as fast, but I do a better job than most because I take my time," Sizemore explained.
He said that's the message he wants people to understand -- age is just a number. Sizemore explained that while he's been around for 86 years, he doesn't feel it.
"I have a friend that's 90, he mows 32 yards," Sizemore said. "They can't tell me older people can't work."
If you'd like to get in touch with Fred Sizemore, email Susanna Black at susanna.black@wghp.com.
If he were allowed to work for less than minimum wage, he could get job offers
All one needs to do to stand out from the crowd is something different.
I had a phone interview about two weeks ago.
Last week I wrote a letter to the person who called me and thanked him for his time.
I got the job this week.
What the heck is this? Fifty year old men wait in vain for a call back. This headline and story is stupid.
Because nobody wants to walk outside and find an Octogenarian dead on their lawn?
I ate there once.....just once.
Cuz if he was outside cutting my grass, I would never hear the end of it.
“86 years old! Cutting the grass!, and YOU . . . ?”
But always with a smile. What an Angel.
I used to have a part time job on weekends at Lowes, and I discovered that the older folks there did 80% of the work, while most of the young kids just lazed around and stared at their phones.
One guy there, an ex-firefighter, was pushing 80, and put me to shame with his work ethic and endurance.
I am 77 and have 4 dedicated runs per week and pick up an occasional one or more per week...(do pickup & Deliveries in POV and am an independent contractor).
Which makes a nice supplement to my SS...My first payment in 1954 and after 1990 I was carrying the ‘full load’...
I ‘demand’ and get more per mile than the other dudes so it makes me the last they even think of calling but I hardly ever turn them down.
Still pay is actually less than it was 15-20 years ago, more competition, FEDEX & UPS expanded, Email etc kind of work against making 300 bucks for delivering a single envelope 250 miles.
Funny though in 2014 Virginia reissued my Drivers License for 8 years....ON LINE.
who is to say this guy doesn’t “enjoy” working and is “rare” ?
I have gotten every job (3) I interviewed for after I retired from Bell.
I also sent each interviewer a note thanking them for the opportunity.(professional suck up stunt).
I quit them all and now don’t look any longer although I was thinking about applying for a few just for fun and see how it played out.
funny
If he can drive and has a new enough car he should get a smart phone and drive for Uber or Lyft.
This has saved our family’s financial life.
God bless Uber!
I retired from Bell Labs/Lucent in 2001. I’ve had a few different jobs since then but have applied for hundreds of others and been turned down so many times it is rather depressing. What kind of jobs did you do?
A lot of them have left. Check your local want ads.
ATT Uverse,ADT(co equip inst),Bank facilities person,UCONN warehouse supplies
“She works as a welder, but lies about her age to get work.”
LOL! When I retire I want to be a electrician!
I think this guy would have more fulfillment with volunteering than bring home a pay check.
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