Gary Rude: 50 Years in the John Deere Family
From following his dad around the parts department as a young boy to building a 50-year career with Gooseneck Implement, Gary Rude has been part of the John Deere family for nearly as long as he can remember.
His father spent 29 years as a John Deere parts man before retiring from the Kenmare store in 1974. Growing up, Gary often accompanied him to work, helping stock shelves and put parts away. Even today, some customers remember him as the young boy who followed his dad around the store.
After graduating from Kenmare High School in 1975, Gary enrolled in a nine-month agricultural parts program in Bottineau. In November 1976, Darrell Borud hired him at what was then Gooseneck’s only location. Gary began as a counter person in the parts department, building his knowledge of the business and John Deere products.
As Gooseneck grew, so did Gary’s role. He advanced to parts manager before transitioning into a Customer Support Representative position, serving customers in Kenmare and the surrounding area before expanding his territory into Burke and Divide counties. In this role, he continued building customer relationships, generating sales leads, supporting parts sales, and connecting customers with the service their equipment needed.
Today, Gary serves as an Aftermarket Account Manager, continuing to do what he enjoys most: working with customers and helping them succeed.
Growing Together, Staying True to Our Customers
Over 50 years, Gary has witnessed plenty of change. Gooseneck has grown from a single location into a larger organization serving more customers and communities. But through all that growth, one thing has remained constant.
“We knew that we had to do whatever it took to care for our customers,” Gary shared.
That philosophy has shaped his approach throughout his career. From phone calls and farm visits to helping customers navigate parts, service, and the demands of a busy farming season, Gary has made himself available when customers need him. For him, those relationships are what make the work meaningful. Many have lasted decades, with Gary now serving farming families that span as many as four generations.
“All my customers are number one and have felt like family,” he said. “All my coworkers have been awesome and have also felt like family!”
His experience has also reinforced an important lesson: taking care of customers is a team effort. Every person at the dealership has a role to play, and it takes everyone working together to deliver the support customers deserve.
The People Who Made the Difference
Ask Gary what has made his career special, and the answer comes back to the people. He credits the Borud family, Darrell, Kevin, and Matt, for their influence throughout his time at Gooseneck. Of the three, he describes Kevin Borud as his greatest inspiration. Gary has also enjoyed watching Gooseneck grow over the years, including the excitement of learning that the company had purchased additional locations and stores. Through every stage of that growth, the relationships with customers and coworkers have remained at the heart of his experience. He has been part of an organization that has continued to evolve while holding on to the importance of strong work ethics, friendly communication, and going above and beyond to help customers succeed.
The Best 50 Years of His Life
From his first days in the parts department in November 1976 to his retirement in November 2026, Gary has spent 50 years building relationships, supporting customers, and contributing to the Gooseneck family. As he looks toward retirement, he knows one of the biggest changes will be stepping away from the everyday interactions with the customers and coworkers who have become such an important part of his life. After five decades in the dealership world, Gary's love for his work has never been in question.
When asked if he liked his job, his answer was simple:
“No, I LOVE it.”
And when reflecting on his career with Gooseneck and John Deere, he summed it up in a way that says everything:
“It was the BEST 50 YEARS OF MY LIFE.”
Happy Retirement Gary!
Gary, thank you for 50 years of dedication, genuine customer care, and the relationships you've built along the way. Your story is a reminder that while equipment and technology may change, taking care of people never goes out of style.
Congratulations on your retirement! We are grateful to have you as part of the Gooseneck family and wish you all the best in this next chapter.
— Gooseneck Implement
