Up & Coming Weekly

January 19, 2021

Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.

Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1331056

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 12 of 40

12 UCW JANUARY 20-26, 2021 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Kiwanis — a Who's Who of leadership, commitment by JOHN TYSON My exposure to the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville came through my father, Henry M. Tyson, a member nearly 50 years ago back in the '70s. He joined at the urging of J. Wilbur Breece. I remember attending meetings with my dad upstairs at the Lions Club on Rowan St. e men in attendance read like a Who's Who of Fayetteville's thriving business and professional leadership. Men like Bill Van Story, George Vossler, Dick Fisher, Col. Frank Everett, John Swope, Jimmy Gilbert, Phil Harris, Bobby Bleecker, Quincey Scarborough, and Jerry Teele. Each one with a legacy significant in the accomplishments of serving the Fayetteville community. I was sponsored into the club by Bill Van Story after my dad passed away in 1993. My dad had the distinction of serving in the N.C. state legislature with Lura Tally, Norwood Bryan, Billy Clark, and Glenn Jerginan. All great Kiwanians. Good influences and role models always surrounded me: Dohn Broadwell, Dwayne Gilliam, Lacy Godwin and the unforgettable Col. Fred Best. Each one is focused and dedicated to the club and to serving the community. My wife's (Kirby) uncle, Gilbert omason, was also a long-time Kiwanian. My son Henry is a 3rd generation member of the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club and is working hard to improve local children's lives. During the 60, 70 and 80s, our Kiwanis club was a tour de force of Fayetteville leadership and a virtual Who's Who of local civic, business, and academic professionals who lent their time, talent, and financial resources to improving lives and building a strong Fayetteville. Leadership unsurpassed that has created an indelible template that will continue to serve this community faithfully for decades. A commitment that touches all facets of the community from agricultural through Farm- City Week to education with programs like Reading is FUNdamental and our character-building Terrific Kids program, which is recognized as the largest and most extensive program in the world! I am very proud of my association with the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville and the impact it has had on Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and our state. Our reputation precedes us. For several years I had the distinct privilege of serving as the club's program committee chairman. I remember how easy it was to secure distinguished speakers for our programs. People like Campbell University president, Dr. Norman Wiggins, US Congressman Walter Jones, Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake, Lieutenant General Jerry Boykin, and my daughter, Caroline, from Young Life. It was perceived as an honor to address the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville. As we celebrate our 100th Anniversary, I am proud of our history and traditions. And, I'm equally confident that the young men and women of Fayetteville will continue the Kiwanis Club commitment to serve the community and "to changing the world one child at a time." Henry M. (left) and John Tyson KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Up & Coming Weekly - January 19, 2021