W. Milton Hendrixson

As a native of Georgetown, Ohio, Milton spend most of his early life in Marietta, Ohio. During his college years at Finn College (now Cleveland State University), an aptitude evaluation suggested that Milton should pursue a career in agriculture. At the time, he was insulted because he considered himself as engineer. Later, another aptitude yielded similar results. This time he replied, “Sometimes you just can’t avoid one’s fate”.

Thus began Milton’s career in agriculture. Milton’s first job involved laboratory work with Thompson Aircraft. He then moved to manage the lab for Kentucky Chemical, which was eventually bought out by Provico Feeds, Cincinnati, Ohio. Early in his employment, Milton traveled to many states selling feed and offering nutritional knowledge. This opportunity allowed him to meet many people whom he has sustained relationships with over the years.

Milton was always a dedicated worker that cared deeply about the interests of farms and their birds. At one point in his career, many area poultry farms experienced excessive mortality, and producers couldn’t get timely results from the state laboratory to assist in the diagnosis and intervention of the problem. Always a leader, Milton took it upon himself to produce and offer these farmers quick laboratory results, regardless of whether or not they were a current feed customer. Not surprisingly, this kindness gained him and his employer some new customers. In 1958, Milton took a job with Browning Turkey Farms in Winchester, Kentucky. Browning hatched, raised, and processed turkeys. In 1967 Milton joined Goldsboro Milling Company in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

Milton was blessed with a wonderful family including his wife of many years Bessie (deceased) and children Owen (deceased), Marilyn, and Holly. In addition to being a dedicated family man and employee, Milton also volunteered his talents and services to his community. Though the years Milton was active in the Kiwanis Club, a global volunteer organization that helps children around the world. He was also a deacon and an elder in his church. Milton currently resides in Goldsboro, NC and still works part-time for Goldsboro Milling Company. Anyone who has the privilege of knowing Milton can affirm that he is a kind, generous person who loves talking with others and sharing stories. Throughout his career, he was a dedicated professional and made a significant contribution to the poultry industry in North Carolina.

November, 2010