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Tom McAllister honored during banquet

Brad Kellar / heraldbanner.com
Roz Lane, left, the Greenville Worthy Citizen for 2012, presented the Worth Citizens 2013 award Thursday to Tom McAllister.

In revealing the newest Greenville Worthy Citizen, Roz Lane may also have given the honoree a new nickname.

“Worthy is a ‘tator’,” Lane, last year’s Worthy Citizen, said during Thursday’s Greenville Chamber/Board of Development Annual Banquet.

“Worthy is a facilitator,” Lane said, explaining the individual had volunteered for everything from being a chaperone for sixth grade carolers touring nursing homes to helping Keep Greenville Beautiful and the Salvation Army.

“Worthy is also an orientator,” Lane said, noting the individual was active year round with Tools for School, was a “Kite Doctor” at the DrugFree Greenville Red Ribbon Kite Fly and was a team leader in the make ready of the Pregnancy Center.

“Worthy has been a rehabilitator,” Lane continued, referring to the honoree’s work in maintaining and repairing Aunt Char’s KidZone; his involvement in repairing and building modifications for CASA, Habitat for Humanity, Hands of Compassion and the Rotary Foundation; his work with Texas Ramp Builders of Greenville; and his efforts with building maintenance at Ridgecrest Baptist Church.

“Our recipient is not a mashed tator, but a sweet tator,” Lane said, in naming Tom McAllister as the Worthy Citizen for 2013.

McAllister was also recognized for being married for almost 52 years to his wife Judy and for being a father to two sons and a grandfather to three grandchildren, who traveled from Tyler and Iowa to be on hand for the award.

McAllister said the honor caught him completely by surprise.

“I thought I was just getting a dinner out of this,” he exclaimed. “Y’all are good at keeping these a secret.”

McAllister offered thanks for the distinction, but noted he was but one of many people involved.

“Everything I’ve done, other people have helped me do it,” McAllister said. “I’ve never done any of this by myself.”