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Family owned gas station closing in Fannin County

Posted: 5:28 PM Feb 27, 2012
Reporter: Jalah Gray

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ECTOR, TX - A family owned full service gas station in Fannin County will close for good this week, after more than half a century. People in this small community say the Jimmy Dixon Station has been much more than just a place to fill up your tank.

Jimmy Dixon says when he took over his Dad's full service gas station in Ector over 20 years ago, he never imagined having to shut it down.

"That's something I couldn't figure out, I don't know whether it's just the price is going up or what." said Dixon.

For the last 2 years he's been losing money, instead of making it, so on February 29th, after more than 50 years in business, he'll close the doors for good.

"We hate to see it, it's a icon in this country, nobody fixes flats anymore, everybody will have to go somewhere else." said customer, Don Nelms.

"Well he has to, he's not selling enough and he isn't making any money so he has to do something." customer, Larry Norris, said.

Since Dixon's father bought the station in 1959, they've provided full service.
When a customer pulls up, Jimmy still greets them, fills up their tanks, checks fluid levels and tire pressure, and even fixes flats in his garage.

People here in Ector say this is more than just a full service gas station, but a community tradition where people have been coming to meet and just catch up on what's going on for years, just one more reason why they're all sad to see it go.

"It's a good hang out, it's where I come to get my information." said Nelms.

"I'm going to miss it, I guarantee that, because I'm down here every day." Norris said.

"Just coming by to check if anything is going on in Ector, Jimmy always knows what's happening and everybody comes by and spreads the news here." said customer, Janice Finnell.

Dixon says he'll miss the occasional traveler passing though, shocked that his station still offers full service.

"I had a lady the other day, came in with her sister, and her sister text people in California, and said hey that guy came out and put gas in our car." Dixon said.

But most of all he says he'll miss the regulars.

"I'm going to miss the people, my customers are local, most of them are my friends, and I'm going to miss what's going on around the town and the community." said Dixon.

When asked what he'll do with his time now, Jimmy says he's going fishing.