By Michael V. Hannigan
A large audience crowded into the Athens Country Club to attend the first Mayor’s Outstanding Leadership Awards Luncheon Wednesday afternoon.
The event honored four prominent Athenians: Bob McDonald, Carol Barton, Neil Hunter and Mary Ann Perryman.
“We are here today to honor and celebrate accomplished individuals who have enriched life in our city,” said Athens Mayor Jerry Don Vaught.
Vaught said he has wanted to recognize outstanding leaders for some time.
“Jim Stewart graciously approached me and asked if I had thought about doing something, maybe a luncheon or a dinner,” he said. “He offered to underwrite it. I jumped on the offer and was so happy I was able to create the awards luncheon.”
“We’ve needed to recognize individuals that have contributed to this community,” Vaught said. “We’ve already lost a few that I wish could have been recognized.”
Below are the transcript from Vaught’s remarks for each honoree:
Bob McDonald
A fourth generation Athenian, Bob McDonald was born and raised in Athens, Texas where he attended Athens schools. In 1950, he received his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University. That same year, Bob married Mrs. Leta Royall and they have two wonderful sons and two grandsons. A year after he was married, Bob served two years as 1st Lt. in the U.S. Army 2nd Armored Division.
Bob’s strong work ethic and expertise in mechanical engineering resulted in a successful career at McDermott International where he was the Vice President. Upon his retirement in 1989, he continued to serve in an advisory capacity.
Bob is no stranger to the Athens community. He is a past board member of the Trinity Valley Community College Board of Trustees where he served three years as President. During his tenure, Bob was instrumental in the building expansion to upgrade the college facilities to what it is today.
Bob has served on the Zoning Board of Adjustments and on the Advisory Committee for revising downtown building requirements and future downtown beautification projects.
He has served on the Athens Chamber of Commerce board and in 1999 he was awarded Co-Citizen of the Year with Mary Ann Perryman.
Bob takes great pride in his hometown, from keeping the grass green at the city cemetery to helping plant over 200 crepe myrtles within the city limits of Athens. In 2000, Bob received an award for being the most active senior citizen in Texas at the Keep Texas Beautiful convention. While on the Keep Athens Beautiful board, he worked with Judge Carter Tarrance to establish operation “Clean Sweep” that utilizes probationers to pick up litter in Athens.
Bob’s two greatest passions are the East Texas Arboretum and the Athens City Cemetery where he has served on both boards and has painstakingly given of his talents to beautify these two significant city landmarks. Bob was instrumental in the construction of both veteran’s memorials at the Athens City Cemetery and the East Texas Arboretum which pays tribute to thousands of our local veterans. He was also responsible for managing the construction of the Celtic Cross addition at the cemetery and the suspension footbridge at the East Texas Arboretum.
The relocation and refurbishment of the historic Wofford House at the East Texas Arboretum is another notable accomplishment to add to his list.
Bob’s dedication to the city’s beautification projects over the years not only has benefited the beauty of Athens but he has also preserved a part of Athens’ history for today and future generations.
Carol Barton
A native Athenian, Carol Barton is a lifelong resident and descendant of the Stirman family that settled this area as pioneers. Carol attended Athens schools, including Trinity Valley Community College. Her higher education continued at two Dallas colleges, Hockaday Junior College and SMU. Carol is a proud parent of three children and four grandchildren.
Carol has a special way with people and she is defined by her servant-leadership characteristics that she exemplifies to those around her and in our community. From her early years working the family retail business on the square to serving 16 years on the Athens City Council, Carol has touched many lives throughout her years of service.
Carol was also active in the medical profession for many years and she has served as a board member and officer to several organizations in Athens. She has been chairman of Keep Athens Beautiful, and president of the Athens Cemetery Association and the Athens Music Study Club. She has served on the board of the Henderson County Humane Society and the Athens Country Club. Carol currently serves as president of the East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society.
In addition to serving on the Athens City Council, Carol was appointed to serve on the Capital Improvements Committee for the City of Athens. She has completed the Athens Leadership Institute class and the Citizens Police Academy.
Carol is a member of the Fresh Presbyterian Church where she has served as an elder, been a member and directed the chancel choir and bell choir of her church.
Carol is devoted to the East Texas Arboretum where she has given wholeheartedly of her talents. Her love for animals is evident in the numerous hours she has given to help animals in need. Carol’s deep roots and genuine love for the Athens community is evident and will be appreciated by local citizens for years to come.
Neil Hunter
Although Neil Hunter was born in Terrell, Texas he got to Athens as fast as he could at the age of 9. He attended school in Athens and Terrell, graduating from Athens High School and then going on to continue his higher education studies at Henderson County Junior College and Stephen F. Austin State College. In 1962 Neil married a local girl, Carole Callaway, and soon they will celebrate 53 years of marriage. Together, they have two wonderful children and four grandchildren.
Neil’s career has been in the financial business working for banks and savings and loans. In 1962, Neil went to work for First National Bank of Athens. His banking career consisted of long stints as Vice President, Senior Vice President and President of banks. Currently, Neil serves as Vice President of Citizens National Bank of Athens.
Throughout his career, Neil has been active in the community as a member and leader in numerous organizations and civic undertakings. He assisted in raising funds for the Cain Center to improve the acoustics in the large multipurpose room and helped raise $50,000 to run a water line to the new mobile home plant on State Highway 31 West, known today as Champion Home Builders. Neil has served on a committee assisting with programs and fundraising efforts for Clements Scout Ranch, March of Dimes and the Salvation Army.
Neil has served on the East Texas Medical Center Board of Managers and the Hospital Authority Board of Directors. He has served as President of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and served twice as a Chamber Ambassador. He has also served as President of the Athens Industrial Foundation and the Henderson County United Way. Neil has been a member of the board of the American Cancer Society and he has served as Chairman of the Cattle Baron’s Ball. He has also served as a board member of the East Texas Arboretum, the Athens Cemetery Association, Disciples Clinic of Athens and the First Christian Church in Athens.
Neil’s devotion for Athens and its citizens has been invaluable. Without his leadership, Athens would not have progressed and prospered into the city it is today.
Mary Ann Perryman
A third generation Athenian, Mary Ann Perryman, was born and raised in Athens, Texas where she attended Athens schools and was an honor graduate of Athens High School in 1949.
Mary Ann’s roots run deep in Henderson County. Her father, Eldred LaRue, was a member of pioneer Henderson County families.
In 1951, Mary Ann married the late Wilburn Perryman, a native of Navarro County and a World War II veteran.
Mary Ann attended Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida; University of Texas and Henderson County Junior College, now Trinity Valley Community College. During her college years, she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. In 1980, Mary Ann received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Henderson County Junior College.
Mary Ann has been an active member of the Athens community for many years. Her passion for historical preservation is evident throughout the city. She has served on numerous boards over the years that have shaped Athens into what it is today. From serving on the Athens Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee to serving on the East Texas Arboretum Board, Mary Ann has been instrumental in preserving a part of Athens’ history, including the restoration of the Wofford House museum at the East Texas Arboretum.
Mary Ann currently serves as president of the Henderson County Historical Society, which sponsors and maintains the Henderson County Historical Museum, and she has been past chairman of the Henderson County Historical Commission, receiving the 50-Year Award back in 2005.
Mary Ann has been a commissioner for the Texas Historical Commission and a member of the Texas Preservation Trust Fund. She has also served as a member of the board for the Athens City Cemetery, Friends of the Park, the Henderson County Public Library, Athens Main Street, Athens Country Club, the Cain Center Development Board, the Lakeland Community Concerts Board, the Lakeland Medical Center Development Council, a life member of the Lakeland Hospital Auxiliary and an honorary board member of the Yellow Rose Foundation for MS Research.
Mary Ann has a passion for history, family, church and her community. She is a patron member of the Boy Scouts of America and a vestry member of St. Matthias Episcopal Church. Mary Ann is active with the Daughters of the American Revolution Daniel McMahon Chapter, the Literary Volunteers of America and she has been involved with many other organizations. In 1999, she had the distinct honor of being named Co-Citizen of the Year with Bob McDonald.
Mary Ann has become known as the local historian for Athens history. Because of Mary Ann’s knowledge and preservation efforts, Athens’ history will be documented for future generations.