Background: Kevin Wells at Texas Roadhouse
Texas Roadhouse Employee Kevin Wells Farewell: Kevin Wells had been employed at Texas Roadhouse in Midland, Texas for about eight years before his farewell.
From early on, co-workers and management recognized Kevin’s consistency and devotion. He was known for arriving on time, wearing his uniform proudly, and fulfilling tasks such as rolling silverware as part of his daily duties.
Kevin’s work was more than just performance of duties — for many, he became a beloved presence who brought routine, kindness, and positivity to the team.
Reason for Departure: Health Challenges & Dementia Diagnosis
Kevin’s departure was precipitated by a health diagnosis of dementia, which made continuing full duties untenable.
Over time, his co-workers noticed changes (“a little bit here and there”) in his ability to keep up, prompting adjustments, accommodations, and support.
The management and his colleagues respected his dignity and his long record of service by organizing a farewell rather than abrupt termination.
Farewell Celebration & Community Support
On his final day, the restaurant, co-workers, friends, and family organized a surprise celebration to honor Kevin’s contributions.
Many past employees and supporters returned to help with the event, showing how deeply his presence had touched people.
Statements from his mother, Katherine Wells, highlighted Kevin’s desire to work and contribute — and the mutual respect between him and his colleagues.
Aaron Battles, Managing Partner at Texas Roadhouse, also praised Kevin’s impact — noting that Kevin brought compassion, friendliness, motivation, and even “got employees to smile when he walked through the door.”
Kevin’s Legacy: What He Brought to the Team
Kevin’s legacy is reflected more in intangibles than metrics. According to colleagues:
- He offered positional consistency and reliability, showing up even under personal challenge.
- He fostered emotional uplift: his presence, friendly demeanor, and routine brought morale to coworkers.
- He served as a reminder of dignity in work: even in small tasks like silverware rolling, he showed pride in contributing.
- His story has become a motivational example: that people facing health struggles do not lose their identity or respect.
His departure isn’t just the exit of an employee — it’s the farewell to a valued team member whose presence resonated beyond task lists.
Broader Reflection: Inclusion, Health, and Workplace Compassion
Kevin’s story raises broader themes for companies and communities:
- Inclusion and accommodation: workplaces benefit when they support employees dealing with health challenges rather than discarding them.
- Respect across roles: every role, even “back-office” or supporting roles (like silverware), has dignity when the person is appreciated.
- Health and human value: diseases like dementia affect many, and how a workplace responds to such cases reflects its character.
- Legacy beyond output: performance is important, but human impact often outlasts measurable metrics.
Texas Roadhouse’s handling of Kevin’s farewell — organizing support, bringing past employees, and speaking warmly — shows a model of empathy in action.
