After more than two decades of military service that took him around the world, First Sergeant (Ret.) Rodolfo Fuentes Colón and his wife, Dawn Fuentes, finally found their “forever home” in Lindale, Texas, a small, fast-growing community in East Texas, about 15 miles northwest of Tyler and roughly 90 miles east of Dallas.
Known for its rolling hills, friendly atmosphere and strong sense of community, Lindale blends small-town charm with easy access to larger city amenities. “It’s like heaven on earth,” (Ret.) 1SG Fuentes says. “I walk out to the backyard, and you can see over everything. The view is amazing, the people are friendly, and every day I thank God for this house and this neighborhood.”
Their new home purchase was made possible through a VA Home Loan with AAFMAA Mortgage Services LLC (AMS) and the guidance of their AMS Military Mortgage Advisor, whom Fuentes Colón describes as “a Godsend.”
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A Career of Service
(Ret.) 1SG Fuentes's 22-year Army career began with A Battery, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia, deploying twice to Iraq. From there, he was DA-selected for Recruiting duty, where he was stationed in 4C3Q Mesquite, Texas; B Battery, 1st Battalion, 15th Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Hovey, Korea; HHB, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Later, he served with B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 306 Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Army Division East. He served in the Active Component/Reserve Component (ACRC) program, where he helped train and evaluate National Guard Field Artillery units, before completing his final assignment as a First Sergeant with B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
“I’ve been too blessed to complain. The Army has been a great blessing,” he says. “But as much as the Army gave me, it also took me far away from my family. That’s why, when it came time to retire, we knew exactly what we wanted—to be close to family, especially our children and grandchildren in Texas.”
(Ret.) 1SG Fuentes retired in February 2024, and soon after, he and Dawn began searching for their forever home.
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Finding the Right Partners
After retiring from the Army, the couple settled temporarily in Forney, Texas, renting an apartment while they carefully researched lenders and real estate agents. “We didn’t want to rush,” (Ret.) 1SG Fuentes says. “We knew this was going to be our forever home, so we wanted to make every decision the right way.”
The couple’s homebuying journey wasn’t new—but it was hard-earned. In 2008, while stationed in Mesquite, they bought their first home and quickly learned how overwhelming the process could be. “We didn’t really know what we were doing,” (Ret.) 1SG Fuentes recalls. “It was a bad experience. We definitely learned what not to do, and we didn’t have the right people guiding us. That put a lot of fear in us for the future.”
So when it came time to buy again, they approached the process differently. “We wanted to do it right this time,” he says. “We wanted to make sure we worked with people who were honest, who listened, and who respected us.”
Their search started with a few well-known lenders that cater to Veterans, but (Ret.) 1SG Fuentes wanted to explore multiple options. “Just because someone has ‘Veterans’ in their name doesn’t mean they’re really serving Veterans,” he says. “We wanted to find a company that truly understood what it means to work with military families.”
That’s when he got a call from AMS, while volunteering for church security during Bible week—a moment he describes as providential. “I was literally standing there at church when the phone rang,” he says. “The representative told me about Armed Forces Mutual’s history; how it was founded to serve Veterans and their families. That got my attention.”
Soon after, he was connected with AMS Military Mortgage Advisor Debra “Debbie” Maxey. From their first conversation, (Ret.) 1SG Fuentes says he could tell Maxey was different. “I told her I was talking to other lenders,” he says. “I wanted to know how she and AMS were different. She didn’t try to sell me anything. She just told me exactly how it was going to be, with no sugarcoating. She was honest and respectful, and that meant a lot.”
He adds that Maxey’s responsiveness made a lasting impression. “Being retired, I don't keep up a schedule. Sometimes I’d forget what time it was and text her late at night or on the weekend,” he says. “She always answered. Not once did she ever make me feel like I was bothering her.”
As the couple narrowed their home search, they also found the right real estate agent, Lane Parrish of Norvell & Co., whom Fuentes Colón credits for listening closely and finding homes that matched their priorities. “I told Lane I wanted a one-story house, a gas stove, no HOA, and some land,” he says. “Other agents weren’t listening. They’d send me pictures of two-story houses with electric stoves and HOAs. Lane listened. And when he showed us this house in Lindale, I knew right away it was the one.”
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A Home Built With Care
The property they chose was a newly constructed home built by a local craftsman, Jose Moreno. “He’s a custom home builder who really cares about his work,” (Ret.) 1SG Fuentes says. “Even the garage is completely insulated inside and out, so when it’s hot outside, it’s still cool in the garage. Jose Moreno built this house like he was building it for himself.”
From the moment they saw the property, (Ret.) 1SG Fuentes knew they were home. “I saw the view and thought, this is it,” he says. “Plus, my wife saw the closet and fell in love. Thirty days later, we were moving in.”
Maxey helped (Ret.) 1SG Fuentes secure a zero-down VA Home Loan at 6%. The purchase and closing process was seamless thanks to Maxey and Parrish working in tandem. “They made everything so smooth,” he says. “They told us step-by-step what to do, what documents we’d need, and what to expect. We just followed their lead, and everything happened exactly like they said it would.”
(Ret.) 1SG Fuentes says he also appreciated how Maxey educated him along the way. “I told her and Mr. Parrish, ‘You’re the experts. I don’t do this every day. You’ve got to answer my questions before I even know to ask them,’” he says. “They did just that. They explained things like the earnest money deposit, which I hadn’t realized you still have to pay, even with a VA Home Loan. They walked us through every detail.”
Looking back on his experience, (Ret.) 1SG Fuentes says it was a world apart from 2008. “This time, everything was clear, professional and honest. God was in control, and He put the right people in our path.” Again, too blessed to complain.
The Fuenteses closed on their new home in August 2025 and are enjoying their new community and the sense of belonging that’s been missing after years of military moves. “The neighbors here are incredible,” he says. “They come up to you—whether they’re walking, on a horse, or in a Gator—and they introduce themselves. Everyone’s friendly. I can’t stop thanking God, not even for a minute, for this house, this town, and the people.” Too blessed to complain.
(Ret.) 1SG Fuentes says he recommends AMS and Maxey to anyone looking to buy a home, especially fellow Veterans. “She’s amazing,” he says. “She never promised what she couldn’t deliver. She was honest, patient, and kind. AMS got it right with her—they’ve got a role model in Debbie Maxey.”
He even has his eye on the houses for sale in the neighborhood. “Both homes next to us are on the market,” he says. “I’ve already told my kids: if you buy one, you’re calling Miss Maxey.”
For the Fuentes family, their new home in Lindale represents more than a fresh start—it’s the reward for a lifetime of service and perseverance.
“This house is a blessing,” he says. “We’ve given it back to God. He provided it, and I’m just keeping it up for Him. After everything we’ve been through, I feel like Dawn and I went to heaven right here in Texas.” Too blessed to complain.
We’re Here to Help
Thinking about buying, ready to start home-shopping in earnest, or considering a refinance? An AMS Military Mortgage Advisor, a licensed mortgage loan originator, will be happy to provide you with an honest and fair comparison of your mortgage options, including a wide range of affordable mortgages designed to meet your needs.
Ensuring Armed Forces Mutual Members obtain the best mortgage possible is our mission. Get your free mortgage assessment today or give us a call at 844-422-3622!