Dublin graduate Gabriel Renteria dreams of one day owning his own dairy. For now, he’s focused on being the best father he can be.
Renteria graduated in 2020. During high school, he worked part time on dairy farms. Several of his family members, including his grandfather and stepfather, were in the dairy industry, and after he graduated Renteria started milking cows full-time at a local farm.
“I liked being around farm animals and stuff and kind of helping produce the milk for those who love cheese and milk and yogurt and stuff, so they know where it comes from,” he said.
Working for various dairies was educational for Renteria. “That’s why I got into it, just to see how those guys run their dairies, and maybe one day when I achieve my goal of having my own dairy, even if it’s a small dairy, I already know how to run it.”
In March of 2021, Renteria and his girlfriend Kaitlyn had their first child, Uriel Samuel Renteria. Renteria’s work schedule didn’t allow him much time off to spend with his son, so he left his dairy job and became a stay-at-home dad while Kaitlyn went back to work as a manager at Brookshires.
“I was trying to find a job, but nothing really worked out with her having to work and us not having a babysitter,” he said. “So I just started my own little business, a little side hustle to make some money and then be able to still take care of my son.”
Renteria’s business was a small landscaping company. He took jobs with different people in the community, and did some part time work for the City of Dublin.
This past June, the City needed someone to work on groundskeeping, so Renteria applied and was hired. He went full-time in August, and is enjoying it so far. “I do everything from fixing sewer lines and groundskeeping, mowing, just anything that needs to be done around Dublin to keep it nice and beautiful,” he said.
He works 40 hours a week with the potential for overtime, which allows him to spend more time with his son.
The job is also helping him learn new skills. “They’re putting me in every department, so I’m learning the ropes of everything,” he said.
For now, Renteria has no plans of changing jobs. He loves the flexibility and the fact that his work is only a couple of minutes from home.
Long-term, Renteria still hopes to own his own dairy. “Ever since I was little, I wanted to work in dairies, and when I got older my family pushed me that way,” he said. “But I got out of it because you never really have a day off. Working for the City of Dublin is Monday through Friday, and is better now that I have my son, so I have more off time, more quality time to spend with him.”
Renteria lives in Dublin with his fiance Kaitlyn. The couple met in high school and have been together for five years. “We got engaged two years ago, and we’re just saving up the money to have a wedding,” he said.
Their son Uriel is three years old, and loves playing baseball. “We got him into wee-ball this year, and he loved it,” he said. “So we got him more baseball stuff, and he’s just been swinging the bat ever since. That’s all he talks about, is baseball, baseball, baseball.”
Renteria’s mother, Blanca Renteria, and stepfather Jose Antonio Garcia, live close by, as do his grandparents and aunt and uncle.
When he has some free time, Renteria enjoys spending it outdoors. He plays soccer every Sunday in Comanche, and likes taking his dog out to run.
Throughout his life, one source of inspiration for Renteria has been his high school football coach, Bob Cervetto. “Back in high school, he pushed me to be the greatest,” he said. “I actually wanted to be an NFL kicker, but during my senior year of high school, I tore my ACL and MCL. With that injury, it kind of went downhill and it just just didn’t go that way.”
Still, Coach Cervetto’s advice on hard work has helped motivate Renteria since high school.
Renteria also finds inspiration in his family. “I’m striving to be the best I can and have a good future for my son,” he said.
Renteria’s advice to Dublin graduates is to push themselves and chart their own course. Renteria did not go to college, and encourages other graduates to make a pragmatic choice about it. “Going to college, you might go into debt,” he said. “Getting into jobs and learning trades is really helpful.”
“Just push to be the best you can,” he added. “This town is a great place to be, but at the same time, if you kind of want to get away from it and see what’s best for you out there in life, do it. And if you don’t like what’s out there, then just kind of always come back to good old small Dublin, Texas.”
Editor’s Note: This column chronicles what Dublin graduates have done since high school. If you have any suggestions for other grads, email publisher@dublincitizen.com.