Virtual Hall of Fame

Fred was born in Belton in 1935. He attended Belton School District, playing football and basketball, graduating in 1953. 

Fred graduated in 1958 from a four year tool and die apprenticeship at Westinghouse and was later employed at Summit Engineering. He completed a basic training program in the US Army, then returned to Summit Engineering to work and remained on military standby/reserve for eight years. 

In 1960, Fred went to work at the Bendix Corporation. Fred proved himself by creating tools and parts per Engineering specifications. He became an Engineer within two years. In 1992, he retired after 32 years at Bendix (aka Allied Signal/Honeywell) as a Professional Engineer. 

Fred’s hobby was motorcycles, and in the 1960’s he built a successful side business on North Scott in Belton, called Safari Cycles. In the mid-1970’s, Harley Davidson was added and the name changed to Belton Harley Davidson. Fred also created a motorcycle park near Stockton, MO. After exiting the motorcycle business in 1974, Fred started Hot Set-Up Products, a fiberglass business, which was on North Scott in Belton for many years.   

Fred’s success has also been marked by obtaining two patents for inventions at Bendix and in his fiberglass business.

Upon retirement, Fred invested in real estate with many rental properties in Belton. He and his wife, Suzie, live in Raymore and still attend church and many activities in Belton.

Following four years of working full-time while involved in the PEP Club, Marching and Concert Band, and serving as the treasurer of the BETA Club, Cindy graduated from Belton in 1973. Cindy graduated with honors, was voted Most Likely to Succeed, and was given the honor of speaking at the Class of 73’s Graduation Ceremony. 

After high school, Cindy attended the University of Chicago as a GRTS scholar and the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business. There she learned two of the most important lessons for business and life: 

1. Listening is much more important than speaking when working with people.

2. The smartest person in every room is not the person who talks most, but the person you will learn from if you listen. 

Cindy looked for new challenges and emerging opportunities her entire career – including being an early participant in women’s intercollegiate sports, serving in the reserves, and being a founding member of multiple startups. For 40 years every position Cindy undertook involved new fields, innovative technology, or new government and regulatory challenges. Looking to the future and providing assistance where needed has been a hallmark of Cindy’s life. She made a career of working with startups and consulting with major corporations on new technologies and changing regulatory environments.

Since retirement, Cindy has volunteered for nonprofits and community organizations as a technical and regulatory advisor.

Gary graduated high school with numerous honors from his athletic endeavors. He participated in football, basketball, and track. He was captain of the football and basketball teams, earned many individual honors, held the pole vault record for years, and participated on the championship basketball team which was one of the most successful in Belton’s history. He was named co-athlete of the year in 1973. He was consistently on the honor roll. 

After graduation, Gary received an athletic scholarship to Missouri Valley College. During his time at MVC, he played on one of the best teams in MVC history, coming up just short in the national championship game. He won all-conference and all-American awards during his career. He entered and won the Kansas City Golden Gloves Tournament in 1974. He was on the dean’s list, served as commander of his fraternity, and was on the student disciplinary board with the Dean of students. He was inducted into the MVC Hall of Fame. 

After college, Gary achieved his lifelong goal of owning and operating his own business. He attributes his success to the many people he hired and worked with over the years and his wife who supported him every step along the way. His motto is, ”Keep things simple and treat people how you would like to be treated.” 

Gary resides in Lenexa with his wife Paula, married 41 years. They have a daughter and are blessed with two grandbabies. 

Michael graduated in 1970 following a very active high school experience. He participated in sports, music and study government. He was president of the Beta Club and Vice President of Student council his senior year. He received several scholarships for his academic record. 

After graduation, Michael attended the University of Missouri and UMKC where he earned a BA in Economics. He completed post graduate work at the University of Iowa and St.Thomas University in Minneapolis where he earned his MBA. 

Michael spent his entire career in the agricultural and construction machinery industry. His early career was in sales and marketing after which he held a number of executive positions. Most of his career was spent in the U.S, but his business involved travel to other 20 countries on four continents. Michael was president and CEO of Sweepster, Inc., a manufacturer of construction attachments and airport runaways maintenance equipment sold around the world. 

Since his retirement, Michael has been consultant and member of a group of restored executives who mentor entrepreneurs. Michael has always been an advocate for Belton High School Alumni and the All Class Reunion. Michael and his wife Jan reside in Minnesota. 

Mary graduated with honors from BHS in 1974. She was an active member of several activities and organizations, holding leadership positions at local and state levels, while at Belton High School. 

Upon graduation Mary focused on being a wife and mother. Beginning in 1984 she attended Longview Community College and Avila University. While raising a family, she was on the Dean's List and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 1987 and then a Master’s Degree from Baker University.

Mary began her career in early childhood education before returning to her Alma Mater. Teaching in the Belton School District is what she considers to be the best part of her career.

Her tenure at Belton lasted from 1995 to 2020. Mary taught a variety of classes and age groups. She loved what she taught, but truly treasured learning from her students. Mary believes that preparing students goes beyond the classroom and she modeled that through leadership classes and service-learning activities. Mary took pride in her students who were leaders at local, state, and national levels in multiple organizations.

After retirement Mary did not leave Belton High Schools; she became a member of the Belton Board of Education. Mary continues to be a voice and advocate for students, staff, and families. While she feels her commitment to Belton is ordinary, many would argue that it is truly extraordinary. 

Dr. Daniel Dickerson fuses medicine and science as Medical Director for an international clinical research organization where he has served as the principal investigator on hundreds of Phase 1, first-in-human research trials. He works with scientists from around the globe advancing preclinical research to human trials intended to treat diseases such as Alzheimer's, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, heart disease, muscular dystrophy, cancers (e.g., breast, leukemia, prostate) and infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19, HIV, RSV, Ebola, hepatitis).

While a student at Belton High School, Daniel was president of the Class of 1982, a member of National Honor Society, Student Council, and Letterman's Club (football, basketball, and baseball). Recognized as Best All Around Senior, he performed in The Wizard of Oz (Tin Man), And Then There Were None (Philip Lombard), and Belton Singers.

Daniel went on to earn degrees in Biological Sciences and Psychology from the University of MO-Columbia and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of MO-Kansas City. He completed medical studies and family medicine residency at the University of Kansas. An American Academy of Family Physicians Fellow, Daniel practiced family medicine for 15 years, served as Chief of Family Medicine at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and chaired Governmental Advocacy efforts for the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians. He is a noted clinical instructor for the University of Kansas School of Medicine, receiving numerous teaching awards including Preceptor of the Year (2012) and the Rainbow Award-Hero in Medicine (2006). Daniel lives with his wife, Jill, in Eudora, KS.

Although Steve enjoyed his time at Belton High School, he was not marked for success when he graduated. The only activity he participated in at BHS was the basketball team for which he was suspended his sophomore year. He spent his afterschool hours working various jobs and most evenings at Glenn’s Recreation. His major accomplishment in high school was meeting his wife, Becky.

After high school, Steve graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy. He graduated first in his class, receiving the Bristol and Merck awards for

outstanding achievement in the area of pharmacology and pharmaceutical chemistry. Steve went on to graduate from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine with honors. He became board certified in anesthesiology and pain management after doing a medical fellowship at Harvard Medical School. He later obtained a law degree from the University of San Diego and practiced law in San Diego specializing in medical-legal issues.

Steve is an award-winning photographer. His images have appeared on book covers, commercial ads, brochures, non-profit fund-raising promotions and web pages. Steve donates

his time and photography skills to NGOs in Southeast Asia and Ethiopia. He has worked with the United Nations Population Fund to photograph the plight of the Rohingya in Bangladesh.

Steve has also documented and written about the Mai Lai Massacre in Vietnam and the genocide by the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia.

Joye Penney Conklin’s military family arrived in Belton in 1967, and Joye graduated from Belton High School in 1974. She met her husband, Casey Conklin, while they were attending Westover (now Gladden) Elementary. Their two children and six grandchildren reside in Arizona.

Throughout her career, Joye has remained very involved in the community. She is currently the President and CEO of R-G Federal Credit Union, and President-Elect of the Defense Credit Union Council’s Midwest Sub-Council.

Joye joined the Belton Educational Foundation Board of Trustees in 2015 and currently serves as President. She sits on the Alumni/Public Relations Committee, Gala Committee, and serves on the Executive and Board Governance Committees. She is also Chair of the Finance Committee.

Joye has served on the Community Advisory Committee for the Belton School District for the past several years. Her hard work has improved the lives of many educators and students.

A member of the Belton-Raymore Rotary Club since 2009, Joye has served as Secretary for several years. She is a member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Public Relations Committee.

Joye is active in the Belton Chamber of Commerce, Cass Community Health Foundation and is a charter member of the Lord of Love Lutheran Church.

Rotary’s motto is “service above self” and Joye lives this daily

Troy graduated from Belton High School in May 1996. After graduation he went to work for the Belton Technology Department. He was a forward thinker and helped guide and develop technology in the schools. The Belton School District has named the District Technology Building the Loughridge Shaw Technology Department. 

While working for the schools, Troy went to the Police Academy achieving his POST certification.  He served as a reserve officer for the Belton Police Department from 2015-2019. Through this position he trained Belton staff and teachers in Active Shooter Drills.

Troy was named Belton Support Staff of the year twice.  Additionally, through his work at Belton CARES as Executive Director, he was nominated and awarded the Emeritus award in November 2019 at the Missouri statewide Substance Use Prevention Conference. The Belton Tree Board has honored Troy with two trees planted in his honor. 

Troy’s legacy is ongoing with the Troy Shaw Memorial Scholarship through the Belton Educational Foundation.  One thousand dollars will be given annually to a graduate who exemplifies community service, a cause that Troy dedicated his life to. 

Troy was devoted to his family, his friends, his community, and his careers. He always gave 100% in whatever he was involved. He is missed today and every day.

Wayne Shelton entered Belton High School as a junior, his third new school in two years. In high school he worked at Hy Klas Market, attained his solo flight permit, acted in plays, was a charter member of Kennemmer Chapter DeMolay, and on the annual staff. Wayne helped form and was First Cadet Commander of the Civil Air Patrol Squadron. Wayne joined the Lions Club in high school and served as Secretary and President.

Wayne graduated on May 27, 1955, and started working at Communication Accessories Co. (CAC) on June Ist. Wayne and Jeannette Whippo were married on June 3rd. When Collins Radio (formerly CAC) moved to California in 1962, Wayne and his family moved to Anaheim, CA. While working, he took college courses and achieved certification in Production and Inventory Control. Wayne spent his last years at the company in stock and inventory management.

Wayne worked on many projects, as Collins and Rockwell were major contractors in communications. His favorite project was Apollo because he said it built for further space travel. A Collins radio was used as astronauts communicated with Earth during the Apollo 11 moon landing. Wayne retired on June 3, 2014, and was recognized with a unique award for his 59 years of service and for making a lasting impact. Wayne's advice: Do things when you can. You can borrow and bank money, but not time.

Arlene attended Belton Schools from Kindergarten through twelfth grades. She was active in Beta Club, Yearbook. Thespian Club, and was President of the Pep Club and Latin Club.

Arlene went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southwest Missouri State University. In college, Arlene was Captain of the Pace Aires drill team and President and Outstanding Senior of the Student National Education Association. Arlene eared a Master's of Business Administration from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

Upon hire at the U.S. Federal General Services Administration, Arlene was selected for the Management Intern Program. She began working with the Department of Agriculture in 1978 as a management analyst for Agriculture Stabilization & Conservation Services. During her management climb, she served as Chief of Technical Staff and later Chief of the Telecommunications Division at the Kansas City Management Office. Arlene became the Deputy Director of the National Information Technology Center (NITC) in 1997 and retired from the Department of Agriculture in 2006.

During Arlene's 35 year career, she earned numerous awards for outstanding performance including the Agriculture Stabilization & Conservation Services Administrator Award, the highest award bestowed by the agency.

Don grew up in Belton. For six years, beginning at the age of 12, he served as Church Organist for the Belton Methodist Church. An active participant during his years at BHS, he served as President of the Beta Club and choir, Vice President of Student Council and Boy's Glee Club. Don was also the piano accompanist for the choir, a member of the band, Thespians, and newspaper staff. Don graduated first in his class.

Don went on to attend The University of Chicago, graduating with several honors in 1972, he moved on to be admitted to the doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis. For his internship, Don served at the Spring Grove Hospital Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Don earned his Ph.D. and joined the staff of St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington D.C (a federally operated psychiatric hospital) as Staff Psychologist for two years.

Don served troubled, mentally disabled, and mentally ill children and youth who were living in foster care homes and group homes in Brooklyn, New York for 29 years. His mission included working to reunite birth families when possible, through running family reunification and parental effectiveness programs.

Dr. Powell attended Belton schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. During his time at BHS, he was involved in the Latin Club, Choir, and Boy's Glee Club. He is also an Eagle Scout. After graduation, he attended UMKC where he graduated from the UMKC School of Dentistry. He then served as Captain in the Air Force, where he practiced dentistry while stationed at Vance AFB in Enid. Oklahoma.

After leaving the Air Force, Dr. Powell moved to Excelsior Springs where he has successfully practiced dentistry since 1976. During that time, Dr. Powell has been very active in his community, serving on many local organization boards in Excelsior Springs including the Chamber of Commerce, Optimist Club, Shrine Club, and Education Foundation to name a few. He is currently President of the Excelsior Springs Health Care Foundation and an active member of First United Methodist Church.

Dr. Powell is very well respected in the dental community, serving as a member of the Lafayette County Dental Study Club for the past 42 years and as President of the Greater Kansas City Dental Society (2008-2009). He is also a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. 

Dr. Powell and his wife, Sharon (BHS Class of 69), have two sons, Tevor and Jeremy, and two grandchildren. Dr. Powell also cares for his 98 year old mother, Ernestine, also a Belton grad. He and his wife enjoy Community Theater and remain attached to their Belton roots, performing with the Belton Historical Society and Main Street Theater in Belton.

Anthony Flacco is an accomplished screenwriter, author and public speaker. He graduated from BHS in 1968, where he was active in drama and music. After graduation, he went on to create a stellar career in the entertainment industry. A trained stage actor who put in nearly 2,000 performances in Actor's Equity theaters all over the country, he moved into the screenwriting field when he earned his Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting from the American Film Institute Conservatory in 1990. Flacco was then selected for the Walt Disney Studios Screenwriting Fellowship and spent a year writing for the Touchstone Pictures division.

Drawing from his acting and screenwriting experience, Flacco published his first nonfiction book, A Checklist for Murder, in 1994, which he then adapted into a screenplay for a two hour television script and picked up by NBC for a movie of the week. He continued to work as a freelance script writer and story editor, which included works for the Discovery Channel and Court TV.

At the time of this writing, Flacco has continued to publish and receive critical acclaim for ten nonfiction books and historical novels so far, including Tiny Dancer, which was named by Readers Digest as their Editor's Choice and “one of the 100 most noteworthy books" by the Kansas City Star in 2005. The book is an international bestseller with over 300,000 copies sold in translation. In 2007, his debut novel earned a New York Times rave review and an International Thriller Writers nomination. In 2013, his book Impossible Odds was a New York Times Bestseller.

Major Brian McBrayer attended Belton schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. During his time at BHS, he was a member of the Letterman’s Club, the Art Club, and the National Honors Society. He was also very active in sports lettering in football, wrestling, and track. During his senior year, he was honored by the Kansas City Star as a scholar athlete and runner up for the 1991 Youth of the Year in Belton.

After graduation, Brian attended Northwest Missouri State University, where he participated on the track team and was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity. He graduated in 1996 with a B.S. in geography and a minor in geology.

After graduation, Brian enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he trained as an Aviation Electrician. He was selected to attend Officer Candidate School and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1999. As an infantry officer, he served in leadership positions from Platoon Commander to Battalion Executive officer. During his 20 years of service to the nation, he participated in 5 overseas deployments and 3 combat tours in Iraq. Brian is a decorated Marine, receiving many medals including the Meritorious Service Medal, 4 Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals, and 2 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.

Brian retired from the Marine Corps in June 2016 and has taught 8th grade science for the past two years. He currently lives in Fallbrook, CA with his wife and 2 children.

Louis Wilckens began his career in 1961 in the Belton School District teaching science in the Junior High School on the third floor of what is now the Administration Building. During the early seventies, he moved to the high school where he taught Biology, Advanced Biology, Physiology, Physics and Chemistry. His innovative style of teaching kept students engaged in activities which enabled students to experience science. He started a Science Olympiad team after school and participated in contests throughout the Kansas City area, usually placing in the top three schools. He would also take his advanced classes to the elementary schools where they would work with younger students on various science experiments. Louis loved teaching and science, but most of all, he loved his students. He carried this love outside the classroom, officiating football, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, baseball, and softball. He also taught Sunday school to high school students in his church for many years.

Mr. Wilckens retired from teaching in 2000 but continued his service to the Belton School District by volunteering his time as a YouthFriend in various buildings, and received Volunteer of the Year for the 2002-2003 school year.

His other honors include recognition from the MSHSAA for 25 years of officiating young athletes in interscholastic programs; Certificate of Appreciation from the Missouri NEA for his 39 years dedicated to the teaching profession in public schools; and Resolution from the Missouri House of Representatives for 39 years of teaching in the Belton School District.

During her time at Belton High School, Karen was active in marching band, concert band, track, soccer, and a member of the National Honors Society. Soon after graduation, she entered the workforce, marking in accounts payable at several local businesses before settling at King Louie International where she stayed for 23 years. During that time, she rose up the chain from accounts receivable clerk to office supervisor. When the company closed its doors in 2006, Fletcher went back to school, graduating from Longview Community College in 2007 with an Associates of Applied Science and Business Management Degree.

In 2008, Karen and her husband, Jeff, purchased Kansas Business Forms & Supplies, Inc. from her uncle and moved the company from Wichita, KS to Main Street in Belton where it continues today as Fletcher’s Forms, serving Belton and surrounding areas. As President and Chief Financial Officer, she has been instrumental in growing the business to its current success acquiring two other businesses to incorporate into the operation.

Mrs. Fletcher is very involved with the community. She has served as an officer for the Belton Historical Society, and as a board member for the City of Belton’s Zoning Board of Adjustments and the Belton Chamber of Commerce. In 2015, she was elected to the Belton School District Board of Education where she continues to serve today, as well as Board Liaison to the Belton Educational Foundation Board of Trustees.

Eric Eugene Hankins was a lifelong resident of Belton. He attended Belton High School, graduating
early in April 1945 to join the United States Navy during WWII. During his time at BHS, he was active in Future Farmers of America.

After returning home from the Navy, Hankins attended Kansas University to study Engineering. In
1950, he was hired by Westinghouse as a jet engine blade grinder, but was quickly promoted to engineering technician, where he designed fuel nozzles for the Saturn V rocket. In 1957, Westinghouse offered Hankins a position in their Atomic Energy Division in Pittsburgh, PA, working on the Polaris ICBM, however, he declined the offer in favor of returning to Kansas City to work for Benson, Boeing, and other defense contractors before returning to the family farming business.

When Neil Armstrong landed on the moon on July 20, 1969, Hankins received a congratulatory phone call from NASA on that historical day for his contribution to the project. In 1971, he and his wife moved to Henry County, Missouri, where they operated a fescue seed buying station for Pennington Seed Inc., until his
retirement.

Mr. Hankins passed away in September 1998. He is survived by his wife, Marguerite and five children: Debbie, Eric, Victoria, Keith, and Clayton.

Fred was one of 17 in his graduating class. During his time at Belton High School, he played trumpet in the band/marching band and was equipment manager for the football team. He also served as football reporter to the Kansas City Star. After high school, Fred went on to earn a BS in Physics from Central Missouri State and BS in Mechanical Engineering from the MU of Science and Technology. He would later go on to receive his Master's degree in Science from lowa State University.

In 1957, Fred began working for McDonnell Aircraft Company in St. Louis. During his tenure at McDonnell, Fred developed hydraulic systems for the F3, F4, and Model 119 aircraft and played integral roles in the development of the Mercury spacecraft project. He was also on the in-chamber rescue teams for Gemini 3 through 5 and was in charge of the rescue teams for Gemini 6 through 12. Fred spent the next 15 years developing industrial microwave/vacuum drying systems for foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals, for which he was awarded nine patents. He continues to work for Boeing Corp. (formerly McDonnell) today.

Fred currently lives in St. Louis, MO with Sharon, his wife of 54 years. Together, they have three sons, Craig, Brian, and Keith. He is very active in his church, where he is the Trustee of the Endowment Fund and has served as Sunday School Teacher for 50 years. He has also traveled on 11 mission trips, which included El Salvador, Nicaragua, Haiti and Lebanon.

Elmer’s family has been Belton since the 1890’s. As a boy, he spent a lot of time on Main Street, shining shoes to earn money. In high school, he lettered in four sports: football, basketball, track, and baseball.

After Graduation, Elmer worked for Western Electric before going on to work for the Kansas City Fire Department, where he rose through the ranks to Captain and was awarded Firefighter of the Year in 1974. After leaving the department in 1978, Elmer worked installing cabinets for Quality Wood Products until he retired in 2009.

After retirement, Elmer served as President of the Belton Main Street Association and was named Belton Man of the Year by Lion’s Club in 2007. Currently, Elmer serves as the President of the Belton Cemetery Association, where he led the effort to build the new stone office and works tirelessly to ensure people’s loved ones are well looked after.

Elmer lives in Belton with his wife of 54 years, Judith. Together they have four sons: Jeffrey, Michael, Gregory, and Norman.

During her time at Belton High School, Renee was a member of the National Honor Society and served as an officer in the Student Council and French Club.

Renee spent 20 years in banking before completing her degree in Business Administration from DeVry University in 1997, where she graduated as class valedictorian. After graduation, Renee assumed the role as President of her family business, Rudroff Heating and Air Conditioning. Under her leadership, the company was named a ‘Best of Belton’ business in 2008, Business of the Month by the Raymore Chamber of Commerce, as well as named one of the ‘30 under 30’ businesses by Small Business Monthly of Kansas City. She and her business were also mentioned twice on the floor of the U.S. Senate during debates on health insurance costs and inheritance taxes for small business. In 2010, she sold the business to its current owners.

Currently, Renee is the President of the Raymore Historical Society. Treasurer of the Ray-Pec Optimist Club, and board member of the Belton Historical Society. She is also past president of the Bi-County United Way and former member of the Belton Educational Foundation. She is an active member of both the Raymore and Belton Chambers of Commerce, and remains active in other areas of service in the community.

Renee and her husband, Pete, currently live in Raymore, MO where she manages their rental properties and consults with small businesses. They have two daughters, Danielle and Brittany.

Dr. Clutter has played a large role in the Belton community for many years. She lived in and around Belton most of her life, attending Belton schools from 1959 through 1966. She then moved to Peculiar and graduated from Ray-Pec High School in 1971. After graduation, she earned a BA in Education from Avila University and a Master's in Reading from SW Missouri State. In 1997, she received Doctorate in Special Education from KU.

Sandy has devoted the majority of her career to special education. She joined the Belton School District in 1981 serving as special education teacher for ten years before moving to the Central Office as the District SpEd. Coordinator/Asst. Director, and then Assistant Superintendent of Special Services from 1998-2011. Under her leadership, she helped develop the Sheryl Johnson Life Center (SILC), which addresses the needs for the 18-21 age group to assist in their transition to independent living. She also played an integral part in bringing the Special Olympics basketball competition to Belton and expanding the Special Olympics program in the district. She has won 12 awards over the years for her excellence in education and service.

Sandy retired from Belton School District in 2011 but remains very involved in the community, currently serving as the Executive Director of Belton CARES and Board President of Hope Haven.

During his time at Belton High School, Kevin Murphy was best known for his athletic achievements, which included being selected to the All-Conference team and being team leader for three consecutive years as well as being named Varsity Pitcher of the Year in 1992.

Motivated by his love for the game, Murphy turned down a full academic scholarship to the University of Missouri to walk-on at Pittsburg State and continue his baseball career. He quickly established himself as a team leader. In his senior year, the team went on to play the best season in school history culminating in the school’s first trip to the NCAA Division II World Series Regional. Murphy went on to finish his Pitt State career as the All-Time School Leader in Career Winning Percentage by a pitcher. He also received numerous academic awards, graduating with a degree in Accounting with a 4.0 GPA.

After college, Murphy continued to be heavily involved in coaching Belton youth in Little League Baseball, Flag Football, and Basketball and was named Coach of the Year by the Belton Parks and Recreation department.

Murphy’s professional accomplishments are also significant. He has maintained a very successful accounting career, being named CFO for an 80+ million dollar General Contractor in 2003, where he stayed until starting his own financial consulting firm in 2008.

Jerry was class president 7th - 9th grades, a member of the student council, band, choir, boys glee club and was selected for Boy's State. He also served as drum major all four years of high school.

After attending Southwest Missouri State College, Jerry entered the U.S. Army Signal Corp. After the military, he managed contracts for the Office of Naval Research. He then entered law school at the University of Missouri, graduating with honors and Order of the Coif. He practiced law in Missouri and then joined the U.S. Air Force's JAG corps. He also worked as an adjunct professor at six colleges and an associate professor at the USAFs Academy. After retiring from the Air Force, he entered a PhD program at the University of Houston where he is the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Political Science.

Jerry has lived in nine different states and two countries. In each community he lived in, he served on boards and volunteered countless hours of his time wherever needed. For his dedication, Jerry received the Angel Award from McConnell AFB. Jerry and his wife, Nancy, have two daughters, Audrey and Carolyn, and four grandchildren.

Eric was active in theatre, speech and debate, art club, and Science Olympiad. He won a conference championship in Lincoln-Douglas Debate as a junior, and was named outstanding art student and a National Merit Commended Scholar his senior year.

Eric earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from the University of Central Missouri, a Master of Science in Educational Psychology from Purdue University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Bowling Green State University.

At Purdue, Eric served as Director of Youth Programs for the Gifted Education Resource Institute. As Assistant Director for Gifted Education and International Education Programs at the Ohio Department of Education, Eric created policies on academic acceleration and mastery-based learning that have become national models which helped Ohio earn the Goldman Sachs Prize for Excellence in International Education. Eric then became the Associate Director of the Center for Talent Development at Northwestern, which serves 25,000 gifted and talented students. He has raised $5 million to conduct research and provide talent development for economically challenged students of promise.

Jim Frickleton arrived at Belton High School in1975, the son of an Air Force Colonel who had recently been transferred to Richards-Gebaur AFB. Jim was quickly welcomed into Belton High School and made life-long friends.

    After graduation, Jim attended Southwest Missouri State University and then law school at the University of Missouri- Kansas City, where he graduated in1983.
    
Jim began private practice in Kansas City, focusing on civil trial work, ultimately trying over 60 casas in 8 states. Throughout his career he has been very active in his profession and in the community. Jim is a member of the Bar in both Missouri and Kansas. He is also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the International American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Society of Barristers, and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. Jim has served as President of both the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association and the UMKC Law Foundation. Jim met his wife, Julie, on the first day of law school and she is also a member of both the Missouri and Kansas Bar. They have three children, Patrick, Sam, and Kelly.
 

Bryce graduated ninth in his class. He was also active in band and played sports during his high school years. At Belton High School, Bryce also met his wife, Karen Kelley.
    Bryce attended the University of Missouri at Rolla where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering, a Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering. Bryce also earned a Master of Business Administration from Averett College.
    
The Navy called Bryce to their nuclear power program, applying his education to help develop a new generation of nuclear propulsion systems. Later he taught nuclear engineering at the University of Virginia and pursued a career with electric utility companies. He retired as president of PPL Generation, LLC- an electric generation company based in Pennsylvania. Bryce now owns a consulting firm and travels the world providing business solutions. He has written several books, is active in his church, and loves racing cars. Bryce and his wife Karen have two sons, Bryan and Brandon, and have three grandchildren.
 

In high school, Bill was a member of the Beta Club and the Honor Society. He went on to attend the University of Missouri, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics and Business Administration.

    Bill began his career with Hallmark Cards where he worked for more than 12 years. During that time, he pioneered the creation of Hallmark’s Christmas tree ornaments line. Bill changed career paths, returning to belton to open his own insurance agency with MFA, now Shelter Insurance, which he continues to run today.

    Throughout his career, Bill has remained very involved in the community. He served on the Belton Board of Education for seven years, including five as president, and was a charter member of the Belton Rotary Club. He coached Little League softball and has given countless hours to preserving Frontier Village in Adrian both as a current board member and volunteer with the Missouri Antique Tractor and Machinery Association. He also serves as president of the national Massey Collectors Association. Bill and his wife, Judy, have two daughters, Paula and Joy.
 

Eric Euguene Hankins was a lifelong resident of Belton. He attended Belton High School, graduating early in April 1945 to join the United States Navy during WWII. During his time at BHS, he was active in Future Farmers of America.

After returning home from the Navy, Hankins attended Kansas University to study Engineering. In 1950, he was hired by Westinghouse as a jet engine blade grinder, but was quickly promoted to engineering technician, where he designed fuel nozzles for the Saturn V. rocket. In 1957, Westinghouse offered Hankins a position in their Atomic Energy Division in Pittsburg, PA, working on the Polaris ICBM, however, he declined the offer in favor of returning to Kansas City to work for Benson, Boeing, and other defense contractors before returning to the family farming business. When Neil Armstrong landed on the moon on July 20, 1969, Hankins received a congratulatory phone call from NASA on that historical day for his contribution to the project. In 1971, he and his wife moved to Heary County, Missouri, where they operated a fescue seed buying station for Pennington Seed Inc., until his retirement.

In high school Tricia played 2nd base on the softball team. She also served as President of her Sophomore class.

    After graduating Tricia attended the University of Central Missouri, where she obtained a bachelor degree in education. She began teaching in the Belton School District in 1991, teaching 3rd grade, 6th grade, and 8th grade. Currently she runs the elementary gifted program for the Belton School District. She received her master's degree in teaching from Webster University and her doctoral degree from Saint Louis University. Tricia also teaches as an adjunct professor at Avila University.
    
Tricia has served as the Science Content Leader for the regional Professional Development Center. She was also chosen to have a lesson plan published in the 75th Anniversary Publication issue for the ETA Cuisenaire. She has been nominated for teacher of the year and coached the Freshmen, JV, and Varsity Lady Pirates for 15 years in softball. Tricia has sought and received funding from the Belton Educational Foundation and other sources to help students achieve their goals.
 

Matt graduated third in his class and was voted "Most Intelligent" by his classmates. He was inducted in the National Honor Society and worked in the Belton High School TV studio. Matt also participated on the track team for two years.

During middle school, Matt discovered his passion in life as he began programming his computer to automate video game playing while he was at school in order to maintain his high scores. He has been programming ever since and loves anything related to technology. Matt studied Computer Information Systems at DeVry University.

Matt is an entrepreneur at heart and excels at product and software development. He was the founder and Chief Technology officer of VinSolutions. VinSolutions’ innovative product offering led to rapid company growth and it was acquired by AutoTrader.com in 2011. In 2012, Matt founded Stackify and as Chief Executive Officer provides vision and leadership for the company. Matt enjoys working too much, traveling, watching movies, playing golf, driving awesome cars, and spending time with his family.
 

Joe was the #1 Ranked Distance Runner by Track and Field News by the end of high school. He won the mile with a time of 4:07 at the Golden West Invitational and the International Prep Invitational in the two mile with a time of 8:58 in 1984.

    Joe attended the University of Arkansas where he was a part of 10 National School Championships. During his college career, he won seven individual NCAA track and cross country titles and six indoor and outdoor individual titles. Joes also earned four All-American honors. He finished his career as a Razorback by anchoring the winning Distance Medley Relay at the 1989 Penn Relays that set the World Record of 9:20.31.
    
In 1990, Joe won the US 1500 National Championship and represented the US in the Goodwill Games winning the 1500 gold medal in 3:36. He recorded the 2nd fastest time in US History in the mile 3:49.31 in winning the Oslo Dream Mile in July of 1990. At the time he was ranked #1 in the World in the Mile run. Today Joe is Lieutenant in the Uniform Division of the Bentonville Police Department. He is also a member of the Bentonville School Board. Joe and his wife, Stacey, have three children: Maria, Christian, and Dakota.
 

Jeff began his education at 18 months attending many schools for children with special needs in the greater Kansas City area before graduating from BHS in 1995.

Jeff was active in the Special Olympics, culminating with him representing Belton at the 1995 World Games in New Haven, Connecticut in the golf skills competition.

Jeff was actively involved in the Belton area every day with his church, Belton Senior program, the Belton Community Wellness Center, Beautiful Savior Nursing Home, Jackson County Special Population Services, and visible at many of Belton's businesses. Jeff will be remembered for his unique ability to engage and involve a large cross-section of Belton residents in his life. Most notably, Jeff was a conduit for connecting the people in the special needs community with the larger community. Jeff was an ambassador of goodwill throughout the Belton area, regularly calling his friends and singing "Jesus Loves Me", "Happy Birthday", or Christmas carols. Jeff changed people through his smile and connection with them. He made a positive influence on his community.
 

Jon was born in Rich Hill, Missouri. After graduating from Rich Hill High School in 1942, Jon attended and graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and went on to serve as Merchant Marine. He continues his education at Central Missouri State College, and received his doctorate in education from the University of Kansas. Jon was a lover of music, an accomplished pianist, and an amazing Tenor.

    Jon began his career at Belton High School as Director of Music in 1960. For several years he directed the Marching and Concert Band, Select Choir, Boys Glee Club, and various vocal and instrumental ensembles.Eventually in addition to teaching music, he became the Vice Principal. Although his time at Belton High School was short compared to many of his peers, the effect of his methods has lasted through the decades. While ruling with a firm hand he was also quite compassionate. Jon was known for taking students who had disciplinary problems under his wing and getting them involved in music. He was an excellent leader, instilling self-discipline, and inspiring his students to excel in whatever field they chose. In addition to his teaching career, Jon appeared in many local TV and radio commercials.
 

Greg lettered in football, basketball, and golf in high school. He also participated in choir and the boy's glee club.

Upon graduation, Greg Attended Missouri Valley College where he lettered in baseball and football and was all conference and all district in football three times while earning a Bachelor of Science in economics. He earned a Master of Science in physical education at the University of Central Missouri.

Greg was the head football coach at both Odessa and Sherwood high schools, and he worked at Centre College in Kentucky for ten years, where he was the head baseball coach and assistant football coach leading both teams to win three conference championships. Since 1988 Greg has been a professor at Grinnell College in lowa where he works as the Director of Athletics and Recreation and Chair of the Physical Education Department. He served as the head football coach for 20 years, having the 2nd only undefeated season in school history. Greg was honored as the Midwest Conference Coach of the year three times and serves on the NCAA National Football Rules Committee.

Caroline was active in Student Council, captain of the varsity cheerleaders and a member of Pep Club, Beta Club, French Club and Cutlass Staff. She was selected as Beltonian Queen her senior year, wrote the workly "Teen Talk” column for the paper and graduated in the top three percent of her class.

Upon high school graduation, Caroline attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor degree in teaching. She married Harry Hale and has one son, Travis. Caroline spent 20 years teaching in various districts in the Kansas City metropolitan area. During her teaching career Caroline continued her education by obtaining a Master of Arts in teaching from Webster University.

After moving to Andover, Kansas, Caroline dedicated her time to serving on numerous community boards. Ten years ago Caroline was elected to the city council, where she continues to serve as President. Caroline also represents the City of Andover and Butler County as a Transportation Policy board member for the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Dave attended Belton Schools for 13 years. While in high school, he was involved in band and played the trombone. He was a two year letterman in basketball and was selected as co-captain his senior year.

Dave attended the University of Missouri on a ROTC scholarship and was commissioned in the United States Air Force. He was an Instructor pilot and flew the B-52, the T-37 and the KC-135 in Desert Storm Combat Operations. He also served as the Commander of the Air Force base on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic.

After retiring from the Air Force, Dave served as Director of the State of Missouri's Division of Facilities Management, Design & Construction and through his leadership reduced the Missouri State Government's energy, real estate and facility operating expenditures by over $30 million annually. Dave now specializes in leveraging state-of-the-art technologies to reduce energy consumption and improve operational efficiencies for universities and state governments.
 

Phil graduated at the top of his class, receiving the honor of class valedictorian. He was a member of the wrestling team during his high school career.

Phil continued his education at Missouri State University, graduating Cum Laude as a Distinguished Military Graduate with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry. He entered the United States Army after graduation and later received a Master of Science in administration from Central Michigan University.

During his Army career of 21 years, Phil served as Commander, Anniston Chemical Activity: executive officer, Chemical Brigade; Army G4 logistics officer, The Pentagon, and as the deputy chemical officer, Combined Forces Command and United States Forces, Korea. Phil earned the rank of Lt. Colonel and received numerous military awards including the Legion Merit, Defense Meritorious Medal, and three Meritorious Service Medals. He retired from active duty but continues to serve his country as a civilian in the role of Anniston Army Depot Chief of Staff.
 

Todd was a member of the conference champion baseball team his senior year. He then attended Missouri State University where he obtained a degree in accounting.

After graduating, Todd worked for the City of Belton eventually becoming the City's Director of Finance. Todd then took a job with Zahner & Company, a Kansas City based investment firm that was acquired by Piper Jaffray & Co. For the last decade, Todd has focused his career in underwriting and financial advisory services to public entities throughout Missouri. Todd completed his education by obtaining a Masters of Business Administration from Rockhurst University.

Todd served on the Board of Education and was instrumental in the District's first formalized strategic planning process. Through this process, the Belton Educational Foundation was founded and Todd served as its founding president. Todd is active in the Belton Raymore Rotary Club where he also served as president. Todd and his wife Missy's four children, Emily, AJ., Grant, and Mason, have attended Belton Schools.
 

Walter was president of bis 1961 graduating class and received many awards while at Belton High School. He was a member of the yearbook staff and the chess club, and earned scholarship letters for his academic achievements.

Upon high school graduation, Walter attended the University of Missouri where he completed his undergraduate and medical studies. After completing multiple residencies and fellowships, Walter became a board certified surgeon in 1975. He spent two years with the Navy and taught as a professor of cardiac surgery while working at several different hospitals.

Walter is a pioneer in the field of artificial organs, participating in many medical studies including REMATCH, a study that evaluated a new mechanical heart pump. He also served as President of the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs. Currently, Walter is the Medical Director of Cardiac Surgery at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, California, where he lives with his wife, Becky, a 1962 Belton graduate. He is a renowned speaker, regularly presenting at conferences around the globe.

Ed attended Belton schools for 12 years, graduating fourth in his class. He was a member of the National Honor Society and earned all-conference honors in both football and baseball.

After two years at Northwestern University, Ed transferred to Pittsburg State University, graduating with a mathematics and computer science degree. He worked as a programmer and systems analyst for several years before starting a consulting firm. In 1989, Ed and his wife, Debbie, founded Maurer's Southland Sports, retail and team sporting goods store. They opened a satellite store in Mac-N-Seitz Baseball Academy in 2011.

Ed has been a strong supporter of local athletics and charitable causes for over 20 years. He was a four sport coach for many years and served on the CCJAA football board. Ed also served as a board member of Belton Basketball Association and played a role in the creation of Belton Youth Sports. He was a member of the five your planning commission for the Belton School District and serves as the treasurer of the Belton Historical Society. Ed and his wife, Debbie, have three children, Joe, Kaity and Kelsey.

Stephen was voted "most witty” in his senior class and lettered in both football and baseball. His academic interests were math and science and he was a member of the National Honor Society.

Stephen received his undergraduate degree from Penn State University and his master's degree from the Naval War College. He spent his career in the Navy holding various officer roles, retiring at the rank of Captain. During his career, Stephen flew 5,800 hours in 12 different aircraft, flying 613 carrier arrested landings, through 6 deployments. Stephen flew 69 combat missions in 3 separate theaters.

Stephen earned numerous medals during his 25 years of service to our country, including two awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, one individual and three strike/flight awards of Air Medals, six Navy Commendation Medal, and three awards of the Navy Achievement Medal. He currently oversees a $40 million project for tactical data link interoperability for the U.S. Air Force.

Greg began his career in journalism as the news editor for The Cutlass, the Belton High School newspaper. During high school he also participated in sports, playing varsity football, basketball and baseball, receiving all-conference honors at shortstop.

After high school, Greg attended the University of Missouri, School of Journalism and graduated in 1981. Following graduation he moved to New York City where he joined McGraw-Hill as news editor of Fleet Owner Magazine. In 2002, he was named publisher of Strategic Media at Aviation Week. From there he would be named President of the McGraw-Hill Aviation Week Group. Greg oversees production of five aerospace magazines, two websites and mobile media applications, and 20 conferences and exhibitions. Aviation Week has a global audience of 1.5 million professionals in 180 countries and manages joint ventures in China and Russia.

Greg and his wife Lisa, who met in college, live in Manhattan and are the parents of a daughter, Clara. Greg remains interested in supporting education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and encourages students to pursue careers in aerospace.

Bill attended Belton schools from kindergarten through his high school graduation. He played first chair trumpet in band and participated in various instrumental ensembles. He also sang in the Select Choir and other vocal groups. Academically, he developed a strong interest in math and science.

After graduating from high school, Bill completed his education by earning a BS in Physics from Central Missouri State University. Bill joined the United States Postal Service where he worked for 32 years. Bill held numerous positions in Industrial Engineering and Mail Processing before moving into the Postal Career Executive Service. Bill completed his career with a detail assignment as Operations Manager for the Field Retail Operations Group which oversaw retail operations in 10 states.

Bill has always been very active in the community. He has served on various boards including the Federal Executive Board at Kansas City, United Way, Rotary, Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene, Belton Chamber of Commerce and Belton Educational Foundation. Bill currently lives in Belton where he is a partner in the local Keller Williams office with his wife, Debi.

During his time in high school, Richard participated in several clubs as well as numerous plays. Richard was also very active in the Belton Civil Air Patrol. After graduation, Richard began working as an engineer. He was married in 1958 to Mary Jo Ann and together they had two daughters, Lisa Michelle and Angela Lee.

Richard spent a large amount of his professional career working for Western Electric Company. There he carried out many different engineering duties including designing test equipment for many different electrical devices. He continued his education at the Princeton Engineering School and was part of a team who was awarded the "Engineer of the Year" award twice.

His engineering career provided much insight into his lifelong passion for photography. Richard had 32 one-person shows and his work was carried in galleries across the country. Richard taught photography at Longview Community College and the Kansas City Art Institute. Richard photographed landscapes, and people, as well as the inner design of aircraft engines. One honor Richard was very proud of is that one of his portraits hangs in the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institute.

Susan, the daughter of Robt. C. Wilson and Farnie Scott Wilson, was raised in Belton and graduated high school in 1912. Susan then attended Sweetbriar Women's College in Lynchburg, Virginia for two years before returning to Belton where she was married and had a daughter, Suzanne Greene Seyfried.

When Susan's daughter, Suzanne, developed streptococcus pneumonia, Susan's husband, a doctor, designed a sunsuit playsuit for her that would allow the sun to reach her skin in order to help heal the pneumonia. Susan made this first cotton print sunsuit and many other romper-type garments in 1930. This was the first cotton print sunsuit playsuit for small girls made in the world.

Susan, along with her sisters, Grace Wilson, Van Brunt, and Lucy Wilson Dunlap, developed additional modifications of this original sunsuit and sold them through Emery, Bird, Thayer, under the name "Foxy Folk." The popularity of these sunsuits grew tremendously and The Grace Company was founded. Through The Grace Company these garments became world renown

Bill demonstrated his leadership skills during his school years through his extracurricular activities. He was active in athletics playing both football and basketball, where his achievements were recognized by his membership in the Letterman's Club. He also played trumpet in the band and sang in the select choir and vocal groups.

Bill continued his education at Central Missouri State University where he received a B.S. in Economics. He went on to attend the University of Minnesota where he obtained an M.B.A. Bill completed the professional requirements to become a chartered financial analyst.

Bill spent 26 years with American Express Financial Advisors. As senior vice president of global investments, he was responsible for all equity and fixed income international investments, which included overseeing the London and Hong Kong offices. Bill then worked for the Minnesota Life Insurance Company as senior vice president and chief investment officer. After years of being responsible for billions of dollars at large firms, Bill started his own investment firm, Lakeview Investment Advisers, through which he uses his years of expertise to help individual clients preserve and build wealth.

During his time at BHS, Jared played percussion in the band, serving as section leader his senior year. He also was inducted into the National Honor Society. His most fond memory was being the founding member of the swim team in 1987. He went to state both in 1987 and 1988, placing 10 in the 100 breaststroke as a senior.

Jared attended the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Medicine where he obtained his B.A. and M.D., serving as chief resident during his year of residency in internal medicine. Jared currently serves as an assistant professor of internal medicine at s UMKC. As a professor, he is able to teach medical students at both Truman Medical Center and the Center for Behavioral Medicine through which a largely indigent population is effectively served.

Jared has received several honors during his career including the Faculty Appreciation Award by the class of 2006 and the Teacher of the Year award by the 2009 residency staff at Western Missouri Mental Health Center. Most recently, he received the Arnold P. Gold Foundation's Leonard Tow Humanism Award, which recognizes individuals who exemplify outstanding compassion.

As a high school student, Len was named to the Dean's list and served as a member of the student council. He also played football and baseball, lettering three times in each sport. He also participated in the Honorable Mention All Conference Team in baseball.

Len continued playing baseball while attending Missouri Western State College in St. Joseph, Missouri where he graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Psychology. He then attended the University of Missouri in Kansas City where he obtained a M.A. in counseling and guidance. Len completed his education by obtaining his Ph.D. in counseling and student personnel psychology at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Currently Len serves as an associate professor for the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of St. Thomas. Len also works part-time as a clinician in a private practice specializing in men's issues, career development, and group psychotherapy Len has written more than 20 publications, received numerous research grants, and his work is recognized nationally in the field of counseling psychology. Len has also presented his work in the Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, and Thailand.

In high school Justin excelled academically and was inducted into the National Honor Society. He also participated in Students Against Destructive Decisions As a member of the soccer team, Justin served as co captain on the junior varsity team.

After graduating, Justin took a job at Black & Veatch. There he quickly climbed the corporate ladder and now holds the position of director of information technology contracting & reporting. Justin travels internationally and manages a global staff of professionals who oversee the global contracting, asset management and procurement for information technology products and services.

Perhaps Justin's greatest accomplishment has been in the area of his community service. Justin has served his community diligently. He is currently serving his third term as an alderman Justin has also served as a member of Belton Parks and Recreation Board, and as an officer of Belton Community Projects, Belton Vision Committee, and Belton Lions Club Justin has been instrumental in many positive projects in the Belton community, including bringing a sanctioned Kansas City BBQ Society contest to Memorial Park.

Included this year on the list of Best Lawyers in America, an honor voted on by 25,000 attorneys from across the nation, representing various practice areas, Jim is a founding partner and president of the law firm of Bartimus, Frickleton, Robertson, and Gurney, which began in 1977 and has offices in Missouri and Kansas. He has some 30 years of trial experience, representing plaintiffs nationwide in complex medical negligence cases.

Jim's years in the Belton school district began in the fifth grade as a member of one of the many military families receiving assignments to the then recently opened Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base. He was a member of the high school football and track teams, played trumpet in the school band, was a member of the men's chorus and played in the Ban Johnson and Casey Stengel summer baseball programs. After graduation he attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, receiving a Bachelor's degree in 1971. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, was commissioned a Lieutenant and spent two tours assigned to a fighter squadron aboard the USS Carrier Midway.

He received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1977 and then attended its School of Medicine for three years. He has been admitted to the Supreme Courts of the United States, Missouri, Kansas and Colorado, has lectured nationwide as well as in Europe and Australia and has had numerous law articles published in national books and journals.

Her love of nursing manifested itself early when in addition to a number of other high school activities, she was a volunteer Candy Striper at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Kansas City. Janell also was a member of the Student Council, president of the Pep Club, voted Girl of the Month by the AAUW, a member of the school band and of the Celebration Singers. Following her graduation she entered the nursing school at St. Luke's Hospital, Kansas City graduating in 1975.

Working as a nurse at St. Luke's and Humana Medical Center over the next few years, she earned a B.S. in Nursing from Webster University in 1984 and a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1997. She moved to Memphis, TN in 1995 where she was the systems service line administrator of Women and Children's Services at Baptist Memorial Hospital for seven years.

Joining the University of Tennessee Medical Center at Knoxville, she was vice-president of the Center for Women and Children's Health. Six years later, in 2008, she was named senior vice-president of the Medical Center, the first woman to hold the position. A year earlier she had been named chief nursing officer, a role she will continue to hold in conjunction with her new title. She is a member of the Tennessee and American organizations of Nurse Executives, March of Dimes board member and the Tennessee Hospital Association.

A lifelong resident of Belton prior to his death on Nov. 26, 2008, Jake contributed many hours to the well being of his hometown. While in high school he was a member of the football team and the Future Farmers of America (FFA). In 1954, he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War, serving his two year enlistment time in the United States, working with surface to surface guided missiles. He and his brother, Allan, started a truck hauling business in 1959 and owned the Belton Western Auto Store on Main Street from 1972 until 1999.

Jake began his years of civic involvement in 1961 when he joined the newly organized Belton Jaycees, serving as treasurer, vice-president and president before being elected state vice-president and a Junior Chamber International Senator. He was named Jaycee of the Year in 1964 and 1966 and was included in the 1967 edition of Outstanding Civic Leaders of America. He served a term on the Belton School Board following his election in 1967 and then the terms as a Belton city councilman from to 1979. He was a member of the Belton Cemetery Assn. for 15 years and was on the Zoning Board of Adjustments for 30 years.

In 1969 he began taking flying lessons and earned private, commercial, instrument and multi-engine pilot licenses accumulating over 1,000 hours of flight time during a span of 22 years. He joined the Cass County Sheriff's Air Wing in 1979 as a deputy sheriff and became treasurer in 1983, a post he held for some 20 years.

When he became director of bands in 1990 at Lincoln College Preparatory Academy in Kansas City there were 32 students in the band program, grades 6-12. Now almost 20 years later, under Ron's leadership, there are 300 students in the program. In April this year, the Lincoln Prep Wind Ensemble, directed by Ron, performed at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City, one of two bands out of 10 from across the United States, chosen for the honor. They received a standing ovation for their effort.

A French horn section leader under Bob Motsinger, band director at Belton High School, Ron credits him with instilling in the band members a sense of pride and a desire to achieve beyond their expectations. Ron was a member of the National Honor Society, the wrestling and football teams and participated in cross country. He was the recipient of various academic and music scholarships when he graduated. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees in Music Education from Northwest Missouri State University and has completed course work for his DMA from Boston University.

Besides his teaching duties, Ron has performed with a number of community and civic orchestras and bands including the Northwinds Symphonic Band. Over the past 18 years, Lincoln Prep members of various band ensembles have earned many district and state honors including state championships. So far, 100 percent of his students applying for music scholarships to college have received them.

Missouri's first Poet Laureate, named by Gov. Matt Blunt in January 2008 and chosen from more than 100 nominations is, Walter Bargen, a 1966 graduate of Belton High School. He took advanced math and science classes in high school, as well as four years of English. In his senior year, he was involved in debate and the school newspaper.

He has published nine books and two chapbooks of poems over the past 28 years. His work has appeared in more than 100 magazine publications, including the American Literary Review, Missouri Review and River Styx. Awards for his work include the William Rockhill Nelson Award in 2005, for best poetry book by a Missouri writer, a poetry fellowship in 1991 from the National Endowment for the Arts; the Quarter After Eight Prose Prize in 1991 and the Hanks Prize in 1996 as well as several others. During his two-year term as Laureate he will help promote the Arts in Missouri by making appearances at public libraries and schools across the state.

Now a resident of Ashland, MO, he also will compose an original poem in honor of Missouri. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri at Columbia and is employed there at the Assessment Resource Center. His mother, Anni, is still a resident of Belton.

After graduation, Joe Bill enlisted in the United States Army, and served for two years after WWII in Korea, following that country's division at the 38th Parallel. When discharged he attended the University of Kansas and Central Missouri State College. He worked in aerospace and communication design for 37 years, first at Torotel in Grandview and then at Allied Signal in Olathe, Kansas.

His specialties were high frequency radios and navigational equipment for private planes concentrating on radios carried in the wing of F-A 18 fighter planes. Pilots of the "Voyager," the first plane to fly non-stop around the world without refueling, credited their success to the all-weather radar Joe Bill helped design. He also developed a special RF coil that salvaged the Mark II Torpedo Guidance System. Before his retirement in 1988, Allied Signal marketed the Looney Kit that improved communications between high frequency radios in planes.

He was a deacon in the Belton Christian Church and a member of the Belton Zoning Board of Adjustment. He was a long-time Scoutmaster and as a boy was the fourth Eagle Scout in Belton. Joe Bill, who died in May 2007, and his wife Dorothy, had two children, Joel and Joyce, both graduates of Belton.

For 20 years, James has been Chief of Police in Belton. During his high school years he was a band member and active in theater presentations. After he graduated from Culver-Stockton College in 1979 he attended the K.C. Regional Police Academy in 1980, completed the F.B.I. Executive Development Course in 199! and earned a Master's Degree from Park University in 2002.

James joined the local department in 1982 as a detective/juvenile officer, moving through the ranks to Detective/Sergeant, until being appointed Chief in 1988. He is a member of the International Assn. of Police Chiefs and the Missouri Police Chief Assn. (MPCA), in which he served in every elective office over a 10-year period from 1991 to 2002. Belton's department has achieved marks of excellence during his tenure and he was awarded the first President's Award from the MPCA in 2007. He is a member of many civic clubs and organizations in Belton and beyond. He also sits on the Advisory Boards of the Salvation Army, Red Cross and Belton-Ozanam School.

He is a member of the school district and local hospital foundations, a Cub Scout leader and a coach of youth baseball softball. He and his wife, Debbie, a teacher in the District are parents of Kathryn, Madalyn and Aaron.

Her participation in extracurricular activities in high school which included the Latin Club, Choir, Art Club, Yearbook and Pep Club became a pattern Patte would follow through the years with involvement in civic, social and church related endeavors in Belton and Cass County.

She is part owner with her father and two brothers in the family business, Klaus' Rose Farm and Flower Shop, and is manager of the firm's retail shop. She has been a long time member of many organizations including the Belton Chamber of Commerce and was the first "woman" president of it and also the R-G Base Community Council. She was a member of Belton PTA and a charter member of PTSA. She is a board member and past chairman of the Cass County Extension Council and continues to volunteer in the County 4-H program. She is on the recently formed Alumni board and the Financial Development Committee of the Educational Foundation. She was a 30-year volunteer with the Water Safety division of the Red Cross.

Patte has been a supporter and volunteer for Belton's "Operation Santa," which each year benefits the Belton Welfare Association and a member of Xi Kappa Gamma sorority for many years. Both her daughters, Kelly and Julianne are also graduates of Belton.

During his high school years at Belton, Wayne participated in Advanced Placement Courses and was a member of the Science Olympiad, all precursors to his days at Purdue University, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree and from there to the University of Delaware where he went on to receive his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering.

While working on his doctoral thesis, Wayne and his professor, John Elias, created a new form of technology called multi-touch technology, which allows people to access the internet with a computer without a mouse or a keyboard. The invention led to the creation of a company called Fingerworks, for which he was Chief Technical Officer. He received the CES Best of Innovation Award for its invention of the iGesture Pad. His accomplishments were recognized by Apple which purchased the company and the right to Wayne's patents. Now a senior engineer for Apple, Inc., he is involved in advanced innovative projects. His revolutionary work was used in the popular iPhone and is expected to be used in many future Apple products.

Wayne is the son of two retired Belton School District teachers, Howard and Bessie Westerman His dad also is a Hall of Fame honoree.

Since her arrival here in 1963 with a newspaperman husband and their five children who would all graduate from Belton, Dodie has been involved in many school and civic related activities, beginning with those involving her children, such as PTA, of which she is a Life member, youth baseball and softball and Girl Scouts. She was a member of the original Belton swimming pool committee and was a charter member of the Belton Booster Club.

Following her husband's death in 1985, she sold the family newspaper and became executive director of the Belton Chamber of Commerce. For six years she was a delegate to Regional Educational Conferences sponsored by the state board of education. She has served on a number of school committees including policy and curriculum reviews as well as a Superintendent's Advisory Committee regarding space and facility needs. She was a member of the board of education and is an original member of the Belton Educational Foundation as well as serving on the Hall of Fame committee since its inception 10 years ago.

She was a charter member of the Research Belton Hospital Foundation and serves as a volunteer there. She received the Missouri Municipal League Civic Leadership Award for the City of Belton in 1999.

Growing up on his parents' dairy farm south of Belton, Gary spent all 12 years in the Belton school district and was an honor student, a football player and a member of the school band. He graduated from the University of Missouri Journalism School in 1960 with a degree in the Broadcast Sequence. He began his career with United Press International Wire Service before becoming a reporter for KCMO Radio and Television in Kansas City.

In 1964 he was named news director of KHMO Radio in Hannibal, MO, a post he held until 1972 when he became Hannibal Public Affairs Director of KHQA-TV/WTAD Radio a CBS affiliate owned by Lee Enterprises, Inc. He served in a variety of positions before being named General Manager. He joined a Lee flagship TV station in Huntington, WV in 1986 and then became vice-president of all the company's TV stations in 1989 which meant relocating to Davenport, IA. During 10 years there the broadcast group doubled in size to include full service TV and satellite stations scattered across the United States. He retired in 1999 as president of the Lee Broadcast company.

He began his own consulting company in 2004 and since then has been a TV media consultant for the US State Dept in the former communist country of Albania.

A senior vice-president at Community Bank of Raymore since 2004, John West has been a familiar face in area banking since 1974 when he joined Citizens Bank of Belton, before moving to the Bank of Belton in 1989. He was elected to the Belton School Board in 1993 and has served as president since 2000. He has been an active volunteer in a variety of organizations, including youth groups such as SADD, Young Life, Belton Cares, the Cass County Junior Athletic Assn. and the Belton Baseball Assn.

He became the director of the Celebration Singers in 1988, an ecumenical group of youngsters in grades eight through 12, who performed not only at local churches and events but at various locations throughout the United States each summer. When he announced his retirement this year, he said it was an experience he would cherish for the rest of his life. "Getting to know literally hundreds of young people and watching them grow in their faith was a truly amazing experience.”

Memberships in other local groups include the Optimists, Lions, Belton Park Board, Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce and the Belton Educational Foundation. He and his wife, Sharon are parents of a son, David, a graduate of Belton.

When she purchased the Belton Harley-Davidson dealership in 2000, she became one of a limited number of female owners in the country. But Gail Worth had begun her association with Harley Davidson while she was still in junior high school when her parents, Ray and Beverly Worth, bought the dealership in 1977. In high school she was president of the Student Council.

She moved the dealership to a prime spot in Grandview at 71 and 150 Highways in 2004 and besides it being recognized as a top dealership in the country, it is the largest Harley-Davidson dealership in the Midwest. Each year since 2000 it has received the company's prestigious Bar and Shield Circle of Excellence Award. Her dealership was selected as one of the Top 10 small businesses in Kansas City by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and in 2004 she was chosen as one of Ingram's Magazine's Top 40 under 40.

Gail gives back to the community in many ways by her support and sponsorship of various charity and school events such as rides for Special Olympics, Wayside Waifs and the March of Dimes; donating supplies for our troops overseas as well as clothes and supplies for needy children in the Belton School District.

Typical of so many in his generation, Fred Campbell’s college education was interrupted by service in WWII. On his 21st mission as a navigator on the B-17, he was shot down over Germany in November 1944 and held as a prisoner-of-war until April 1945. After the war, he resumed his education, graduating from the University of Missouri in 1946. He entered the insurance field, receiving the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter designation in 1953.

Later that year, during the Polio epidemic of the 50s, in what he calls, “A life-challenging event,” the disease robbed him of the use of his legs. He spent six months in the hospital, leaving his wife at home with a six and a two-year old, and an infant born just six weeks after he had contracted the illness. Three years later, he felt a call to the Christian ministry, entered Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1959. His 50 years of ministry included work with different churches and races and refugees from communism. Since 1998 he has been a volunteer, helping former POWs and their widows with Veterans Administration claims. Before a fall in 2003 confined him to a wheelchair, he walked with arm crutches for 50 years. In hospital visitations, he believes his crutches helped in relating to patients looking for hope and healing.

Joining the military reserve just out of high school, Richard Hankins saw duty during the disastrous 1951 Kansas City flood as well as the Ruskin Heights tornado in 1957. It was during those years that his more than 50-year aviation career began, earning him the rank of Master Mechanic. He has received national recognition for aviation achievement and in 2002 was an airline ambassador to a United Nations World Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. The following year he was the American Airlines Maintenance representative to the national Centennial Celebration of the Wright Brothers’ first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, NC. In 2006, he was an invited guest to the graduation ceremony at the Royal Jordanian Air Academy in Amman, Jordan. He presented an award to the Academy and its 1,300 graduates representing 22 nations.

For several years, the Hankins family cared for 20 foster children and later they were host to 19 foreign exchange students. He took part in a missionary trip to Port-a-Pix, Haiti in 2001 to aid in the development of clean drinking water for the elementary schools there. With his guidance, new parks and playgrounds were developed for families and children when he was the Platte County Parks Chairman from 1976-1989. He is an active member of South Haven Baptist Church.

Born and raised in Belton, Norma Nelson, valedictorian of her high school graduating class, has used her many talents working with others in all age groups to make a difference in their lives right here in her hometown. She has been particularly active in the years since she retired from a 25-year job in Kansas City. She is a museum docent and a member of the Belton Historical Society. With others in the Cass County Historical Society, she has been a participant in the summer presentations of the Orphan Train reenactment, portraying the woman agent who was responsible for arranging the transfer of children from the foundling homes in the east, to find new homes and families in the midwest. She also is a member of the Belton-Grandview and Kansas City Railroad, and helps with their student tours.

Her most enjoyable and far-reaching effort for the past seven years has been that of working with children in a reading program through the Youth Friends group of the Belton School District. She was named and received the Scott Elementary School Volunteer of the Year award in 2004. She also helps out at Yeokum Junior High and Belton High School during MAP testing time. She’s active in the Heart and Hands welfare group and is a member of the Women’s Missionary Union at South Haven Baptist Church.

The loss of his father and his paternal grandmother when he was five years old meant for Joe Trotter, a move to Belton to live with his maternal grandparents. He entered the armed forces after high school, serving with the U.S. Navy during WWII. He used his G.I. Bill to enter and earn a college degree at Baker University in Baldwin, KS. A high school summer job with the local electric company where he learned to climb utility poles using steel spiked leg climbers was instrumental in landing a job working weekends and summers during college with the United Telephone Co. of Kansas.

That experience led to a management trainee position following graduation with the company's district office in Clinton, MO. A promotion brought him and his family to Kansas City in 1955 where he was assistant general traffic manager for the company covering Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri. He eventually became vice-president of public relations and public affairs for the Midwest Group of nine companies. When he retired, he and his wife, Winnie, who were married in 1948 and raised three children, settled for good in St. George, KS. He is grateful to teachers, coaches, older student role models and several special adults for examples of integrity and an honest work ethic who provided lessons used throughout his life.

An Eagle Scout in high school, Howard Westerman graduated from the University of Missouri-Rolla with a Chemical Engineering degree in 1951. Deciding early in his career as an engineer that he would rather teach, he came to Belton as a science teacher in 1959. Soon after he earned an MS in Chemistry at Purdue University. For 32 years, he would have a profound effect on several generations of students taking one or more of his regular and advanced course offerings in chemistry, physics, science, electricity, electronics and computer electronics. He was chairman for 17 years for the junior high and high school science departments. In 1966 he spent six months in India as supervisor of 10 chemistry institutes teaching high school teachers how to teach experimental chemistry, not just by lecture alone.

One former Belton student, now a nationally known writer, has said that among the more than 3,000 students he taught, there are teachers, engineers, lawyers, nurses, doctors, dentists, veterinarians, artists and musicians to name just a few. Another said he was a teacher who commanded respect and who was never afraid to challenge his students to be the best they could be, something Westerman himself said that every teacher wants. And added, "here's hoping I didn't fail too many of them."

Toward the end of high school days in Belton, Doug made it his goal to become a physician. He was a member of the Beta Club, Honor Society, and Boys State representative during those years. He would graduate with distinction as a University Scholar, member of Phi Kappa Phim and the Pre-Medical Assn. from the University of Missouri- Kansas City in 1976 with a degree in chemistry. He chose the medical school program at the university’s Columbia campus, graduating cum laude in 1980. A few months prior to graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Charlotte Bishop, then attended the Family Practice Residency Program at MU, serving as chief resident during his third and final year.

When a family practice opportunity became available in Belton, coinciding with the building of the Research Belton Hospital, the couple moved back to their hometown in 1983. Besides his regular physician duties, since the fall of that year he has been on the sidelines for most of Belton’s high school football games. With his partners and other local physicians, free sports physicals have been offered to students in the Belton and Raymore-Peculiar school districts. He considers it a privilege to meet the contestants and provide physicals for Belton’s Special Olympics as well as local Boy Scout campers.

With his parents, twin brothers, and a sister, Don moved to Belton in 1947 and became involved in a number of school activities including band, school plays, and was a member of the track and football teams. He was Vice-President of his sophomore class and president of his senior class. He worked for several years in the family brick-laying business before deciding to continue his education. He graduated with distinction from UMKC, earning a bachelor’s (1971) and a master’s degree (1976) in English. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, honorary scholastic society.

He has been an educator, lecturer, editor, evaluator, book reviewer, movie consultant, map specialist, and author. He received the second highest civilian award, the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal from the Department of the Army when he retired after 17 years of service in 2001 as a senior editor with the Combat Studies Institute, U.S. Army Command, and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS.

He is the author of eight books including two expected in stores in the fall of 2005: “The Civil War on the Missouri-Kansas Border” and “Eyewitness Vietnam,” both with estimated printings of 5,000 copies.

Graduating as valedictorian of his class, Robert came to belton in the fourth grade and was active in a number of school activities as well as becoming an Eagle Scout. He enlisted in the Army and served in Alaska with a Quartermaster platoon before his discharge in late 1947. A year later he enrolled at the University of Kansas Engineering School, and was on the honor roll each semester. He was a member of the engineering fraternities Tau Beta Pi and Sigma Tau and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1952, then earned a master’s degree a year later.

He, his wife, and baby moved to Ft. Worth, TX where he joined Consolidated Vultee Aircraft as a structures engineer. He also took courses at Southern methodist University earning a master’s degree in engineering administration. He was involved in numerous aircraft programs before retiring in 1993 as engineering program manager for F-16 structures and design. He began his career doing calculations on a slide rule before happily making the transition to the use of supercomputers.

He has been a lay leader, board chairman, and a teacher of youth classes for his church. Computers are among his hobbies and he maintains the church school computer lab.

Born and raised in Belton, his school years spanned the Great Depression and the start of World War II. With “outstanding and dedicated” teachers, Charles describes his education as “excellent.” He played football, was a member of the band and orchestra, a drama student, and treasurer of his senior class. He joined the Navy in September 1942, and over the next three and one-half years, handled various assignments, including maintaining the status of diesel engine production for Navy ships and stations for the Bureau of Ships in Washington, D.C.

Following his discharge, he attended Central Missouri State College, receiving a business administration degree in 1949. He joined Lear Siegler, inc. in Santa Monica, CA in 1956 as a controller in the Lear-Cal Division, rising through the ranks over a 31-year career to senior vice-president responsible for a number of company divisions throughout the United States and foreign countries. When he retired in 1987, he was responsible for corporate, accounting, personnel, and other administrative functions.

For both business and pleasure, he has traveled to all continents and most major areas and cities in the world. A classmate described his life as a classic Horatio Alger tale of American success.

Presiding over one of the most rapid school growth eras in Belton’s history, Dr. Yeokum holds the distinction of never having had a school bond issue turned down during his 13-year tenure. Growing up in the small town of Mulberry, KS, he was the first in his family to attend college, graduating from Pittsburg State Teachers College. Later, he would earn a Master's and Doctorate degree.

A history teacher and a coach before becoming an administrator, he considered school sports programs an important part of the educational process. When he came to Belton, the build-up of personnel at Richards-Gebaur AFB and resulting increase of Belton’s student population had just begun. By the time he retired in 1968, the district had built a high school with two additions, three elementary schools: Westover (now Gladden), Cambridge, and Hillcrest. He was honored in the 1970’s by having Yeokum Junior High School (now middle school), named for him.

In retirement, he continues to support the Belton community as president of the Chamber of Commerce and chairman of committees to obtain an ambulance for Belton as well as one to secure a municipal swimming pool. He was named an Outstanding Civic Leader in Belton by the Missouri Municipal League.

A familiar face in Belton for 32 years has been “Coach Al” Hamra. Although he retired in 1998 after 16 years in the school district, he continues to substitute teach. But his association with young people as a mentor, coach, and a sports official has no parallel. He coached high school football for 40 years, track 30 years, basketball 20 years and baseball 15 years. Few can equal his record for upbringing youth baseball and softball for 59 years; football officiating for 55 years and basketball 54 years. He is still a familiar face at local and area youth sports contests.

Born in Oklahoma, he graduated from Henryetta (OK) High School in 1943 and then enlisted in the Airborne Infantry. He was a member of Company E of the famed 101st Airborne and parachuted behind the lines during the Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944. After VE Day in May 1945, he was sent to the Philippines to prepare for the invasion of Japan in November. Casualty estimates were as high as a million and a half men before the atomic bomb ended the war. Only 20 of the original 179 men in the company survived the war. Al is now one of 5 left.

He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Oklahoma State University in social studies and physical education. His life has been dedicated to youth ever since.

World War II had ended before his senior year began, but William L. Holloway enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January 1946 for two years. When he completed boot camp, he received his high school diploma. Following his tour of duty and honorable discharge, he entered Baker University and graduated in 1951. He worked at Hallmark Cards and Gillette Company before going into private management consulting.

He concurrently completed graduate studies leading to an MBA and a doctorate in education before becoming, in 1976, a full time faculty member in the College of Business at Northern Kentucky University. He retired in 1993 as a tenured professor and was awarded emeritus status.

1n 1995, he began work on what evolved as a memorial book recognizing a childhood friend from Belton, Jim Ashford, who was killed flying a Navy jet fighter over North Korea in 1951. Ashford and Astronaut Neil Armstrong flew in the same four-plane division and that has led Holloway to a continuing association with Armstrong and his official biography about various aspects of research and history of that fighter squadron. He also has written articles on World War II and the Korean conflict for local newspapers.

Long before women were acknowledged as athletes in their own right, Shirley Childs Nichols was one of those leading the way. During her sophomore, junior, and senior years at Belton, she lettered both in basketball and tennis and was the Cross Country singles champion in 1937 and 1938. In 1939, she won the Junior Girls’ championship tennis tournament in Kansas City.

She was an all-star of the 1938 Harrisonville basketball tournament and in 21 games for the 1937-38 season, she scored a total of 227 points. In addition to sports, she also was a recognized member of choir and band and won a Missouri state letter in speech proficiency. Before marrying in 1940, she had attended the University of Kansas City for two years. Following the tragic death of her husband and son in 1959, she worked in Kansas City for the school district as a secretary at the Health Department in Independence. During this time, she also took up bowling and golf, excelling in those endeavors also.

She and her second husband moved to Florida in 1986 where she has been an avid and accomplished golfer for many years. She has three holes-in-one to her credit and in December 2003 won the 80 and above gold medal in golf at the Florida State Senior Games.

Music and young people have gone hand-in-hand in the life of Deloris Person. She and her husband, Richard, served the Belton Christian Church for 27 years, he as pastor and she as music director. Their six children all graduated from Belton. She taught music as a substitute during their childhood years, then full time for 13 years before retiring in 1986.

She helped establish the annual Band-O-Rama which brings all of the band students together in a grand performance each spring. She was also the founder of the ecumenical “Celebration” singing group when a group of teenagers approached her in 1971. They invited friends to join them and within six months there were 30 members. Their annual tours to memorable destinations throughout the USA were planned to include spiritual, educational, and fun experiences.

Several hundred current and former members presented a special concert and honored her at the group’s 25th anniversary in 1996 during Belton Community Days. She was the Belton Lions Club Woman of the Year in 1986 and has received the Belton PRIDE award. She served as the first president of the Southland Community Choir and has been a long-time volunteer at Research Belton Hospital.

Now retired and Professor Emeritus of the University of Missouri, Kansas City (UMKC) and an Adjunct Professor, Kansas State University, George Spear spent all 12 years in the Belton School District and is a member of a four generation family to graduate from Belton. After graduating from Baker University in 1948, he became co-editor of The Belton Star-Herald and over the next 14 years was a member of the Belton School Board, the Belton Park Board, president of the Chamber of Commerce, the PTA, the Belton Christian Church and other civic groups.

He received his Master's degree in 1962 from UMKC and was a member of the faculty there for 25 years. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1972. His talents were utilized in various departments at UMKC including community relations, continuing education, school of education, curriculum and instruction and he was co-founder of the MA degree in adult education. He also was national editor of the Adult Education Association Journal. His research in adult learning is widely cited in national journals, textbooks and education publications.

Currently, as Adjunct professor, he is conducting graduate classes in off-campus programs at Fort Leavenworth Command and General Staff College.

A life-long resident of Belton and fourth generation graduate of Belton High School, Fred Buchanan participated in band, speech and drama, baseball, basketball and track and was a member of the Beltonian staff and president of his senior class before attending and graduating from William Jewell College with a degree in business administration.

He began his banking career in 1968 at Citizens Bank of Belton and continued working as the bank became Charter Bank and then Boatmen's. He retired as a senior vice-president and cashier in 1988 before becoming business manager and controller for Fleetwood Chevrolet. He then joined the accounting department of the City of Belton and served as City Collector before retiring in 2003.

He was chairman of the United Way effort in Belton for 35 years and now is a board member with the consolidated group serving Cass and Jackson Counties. He was active in the Belton Jaycees Chamber of Commerce, Foxwood Springs board of directors, the Cemetery Association, the Historical Society, the Zoning Board of Adjustments and was an original board member of the Belton Corporation of Economic Development. He was a Deacon and is a long time member of the Belton Christian Church.

After graduating as valedictorian of his class in 1947, George Elkins joined Bruce Dodson & Company and except for a couple of years, he would remain there until his retirement in 1991 as a vice president and Chief Underwriting Officer. He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict and then attended Kansas City Junior College before graduating with distinction in 1957 from Kansas City University (now UMKC).

During his later years with Dodson he served on and chaired a number of committees at the state, regional and national level dealing with Worker's Compensation and other property-casualty lines of insurance working with the National Council on Compensation Insurance and other trade organizations.

He has been an untiring and dedicated volunteer over many years for various organizations and committees in Belton including the Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society and Belton Community Projects. He also has worked with AARP in its Tax Counseling for the Elderly project as well as being a Community Blood Drive coordinator. He was a Belton School Board member in the early 70's and has been designated Elder Emeritus at the Belton Christian Church, after 35 years as an Elder.

Following an impressive record of accomplishments during his years at Belton High School, Jim Meador then earned a full U.S. Navy Scholarship by competitive examination at the University of Missouri. He was valedictorian and president of his senior class at Belton, a Boys State representative, a four-year member of the high school band and quarterback of the football team.

At MU he was named to the Dean's List each semester there as well as being elected to the Men's Freshman Honor Society. He earned a bachelor of arts degree with distinction in Economics, only the second such award at that time and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After graduation in 1957, he served three years of active duty with the Marine Corps, retiring as a Captain.

He was founder and president of Colorado College of Medical and Dental Assistants and later founded, owned and operated a school to train medical management consultants. Over 300 consultants were trained there. He was well-known and respected nationally as a speaker, problem solver and moderator. He was one of the founders and one of the first members of the board of directors of the national organization of Medical and Dental Management Consultants.

A businessman, mayor and police judge in Belton, Bill Mosby's life of service has extended beyond the confines of his hometown. As a United States Marine during World War II he received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in the Battle of Okinawa in June 1945. He has spent some 20 years serving in various roles as a Baptist missionary, minister and chaplain.

He participated in a variety of high school activities and was involved in many civic endeavors during his years as a businessman and elected official. As a two-term mayor from 1961 to 1965, his efforts helped establish Belton's first budget; a long-term planned street improvement program: passage of up-to-date building codes, water and sewer bond issues, the hiring of the first city administrator and he initiated the effort for a municipal swimming pool.

Bill and his wife, Jo Ann, became missionaries in 1977 and served two years in Yemen before he entered Midwest Theological Seminary, receiving an Associate Degree in 1983. After serving as a pastor and hospital chaplain he became chaplain of the Missouri Department of Mental Health from 1985-1996. He was a two term president of the state Chaplain's Assn, and was named Advocate of the Year of the Central Region for three years, 1993-1995.

After a 30-year career as a Federal Special Agent Linda Jo (Jackson) Wilbur retired in 1998 and since that time has been actively involved with the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team. Five days after the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, she served as a team member for three months in New York City assisting in recovery efforts there. Currently she is helping to establish a Safety and Security team which will help protect Red Cross volunteers from weapons of mass destruction and terrorist incidents.

While in high school, Linda graduated in the top ten percent of her class and participated in Beta Club, Future Teachers' Club, was a member of the annual staff and editor of the school newspaper, Crossbone Chatter. She was president of the Pep Club, represented Belton at Missouri Girls State and was a member of Job's Daughters.

At one time she was in charge of all health care investigations in the United States, assisted in writing health care legislation and participated in hearings on Capitol Hill regarding health care fraud. She serves on the National Aviation Incident Response Team and is in training to become an active member of the International Red Cross which gives aid throughout the world.

For some 40 years, The Little Shirt Company, owned by Lucy Dunlap, was an integral part of Belton's economic well-being. It had its beginnings in the family home at 206 South Scott in 1945, but it wasn't long before the business needed larger quarters and moved to 411 Main Street, where it remained until its closing in the mid-1980's.

The company manufactured quality shirts for boys as well as blouses for girls, and the products enjoyed a national market. They were sold in better department and specialty stores, including exclusive children's shops. Mrs. Dunlap made a point of hiring local women as employees, many of whom had long tenures there. Pattern and material cuttings were done in Belton before being shipped to the company's manufacturing plant in Freeman, Missouri.

The granddaughter of Belton's founder, George W. Scott, she had a keen interest in her hometown. When Peace Park was being developed at the corner of Chestnut and Second Street, she was an eager supporter of that effort. Prior to her retirement, she donated her Victorian home to the Belton Historical Society in 1979. Her daughter, Frances Scott Dunlap, subsequently purchased it from the Society in 1999 and lives there today. Lucy Dunlap died in 1991.

A Belton native, Faye Wallace has devoted a half century of community service in and for her hometown. She entered Belton High School in the fall of 1941 after attending High Blue, one of the small country schools that were prevalent at that time. In high school, she enjoyed all sports and was disappointed that girls basketball was discontinued due to gas rationing during World War II.

For more than 40 years she has had association with the Belton Welfare Association, which, at one time, was the primary source of assistance for local families in need. For many years she was chairman of "Operation Santa", which now provides some 200 families and their children with gifts, toys and food during the Christmas season.

As a member of the Belton Cemetery Association, she has served as president for 10 years, having served first as secretary for 26 years. After the Gulf War in 1991, she was instrumental in raising money and materials to fly the American flag from the many rock posts at the cemetery. This practice continues as a tradition each Memorial Day weekend. For several years she was active in the Boy Scout program and other youth groups. Faye is a member of the Women's Guild at the Methodist Church and was a Sunday School teacher there.

Following his graduation from BHS, where he had been senior class president, and active in the student council, track, class plays, a member of the undefeated 1953 football team and a Boy's State representative, Gordon Smith attended and graduated from the University of Missouri in 1959 with a bachelor's degree in geology.

He entered the U.S. Navy's aviation officers training and in 1961 was designated a Naval Aviator, serving until 1964. During that time, he flew helicopters off the aircraft carrier Intrepid and was a member of the crew present for the rescue of Scott Carpenter when he returned from his space flight. During the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba, Gordon attended the Nuclear Weapons School in Key West, Florida, participating later in the tense Cuban blockade, intercepting Russian missiles and using sonar to track Russian submarines.

After his discharge, he joined Western Airlines in Denver in 1966 and flew cargo flights to Vietnam Later, after Western had merged with Delta Airlines, he retired after 25 years of service. Currently he is secretary of the local Experimental Aircraft Association and vice-chairman of parish relations for the Methodist Church. He has been married to classmate Carolyn Harris for 39 years.

Born and raised in Belton, James Saultz worked at several jobs after high school graduation, including two years of military duty during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954, before entering the University of Missouri-Rolla. He graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and spent the next five years in a field engineering position with Philco Ford Tech Rep Division supporting the Air Force satellite surveillance program.

In 1964 he accepted an assignment in the Manned Space Center - Mission Operations Directorate as a systems flight controller for the Gemini Program Rendezvous vehicle. He would spend the next 30 years in a variety of positions with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Houston, Texas.

His assignments included Mission Control Room Support for the Gemini V through 12 Missions; the Apollo Missions and was the experiments officer for Apollo 11-16. In 1978 he became the Lead Controller for Skylab's return to earth, and after its reentry he returned to the Shuttle Program. His vital technical duties over the years earned him many awards and citations. In retirement he continues to pursue his interest in Astronomy and Astrology.

An outstanding high school record seemed to foreshadow success in later life for Stephen Craig. He was president of his junior and senior class and captain of the football and track teams in which he lettered three years and four years respectively. He was active in choir and glee club and was a National Merit Scholar. A Boy Scout, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout his freshman year.

Within the next eight years he would receive a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kansas and a Juris Doctorate from its School of Law. In 1975 he began a career in the real estate, career management and financing of hotels and resorts for Topeka Inn Management, Inc. (later Brock Hotel Corp.), which owned and managed 76 Holiday Inns in 23 states. From 1973 until 1980 it was the largest franchised operator of hotels in the world.

He is president, CEO, director and sole shareholder of Linquist & Craig Hotels and Resorts, Inc., which owns seven major hotels and inns in California, Alabama and Kansas. The firm has been recognized for excellence in the field of hospitality, ownership and management; its revenues are expected to exceed $35M in 2002. He serves on a number of professional boards and committees as well as being active as a Boy Scout leader.

A third generation pharmacist, Jack Dryden is president of Dryden Drug Company, the second oldest family owned business in Belton. The pharmacy has been in the same location at 401 Main Street since his father purchased it in 1931. Jack received a bachelor's degree in pharmacy from the University of Kansas in 1954 and became a partner with his father, Jack S. Dryden, that same year.

Besides long affiliations with several state and national pharmaceutical associations, Jack has been active at the local level in efforts to keep alive and promote the Main Street business district. He was active in the mid to late seventies in the successful drive to save Belton's old city hall building from destruction. More recently he participated in several studies and projects which led to major infrastructure improvements to the area. His efforts have led to the restoration of several buildings on Main Street as well as encouraging new businesses to the area.

He is a long-time supporter of the Chamber of Commerce and helped establish the Main Street Merchants Assn the Belton Historical Society, and its museum as well as the effort to build Belton's first swimming pool. Since 1981 he has been a member of the Bank of Belton's board of directors and currently serves as its president.

After graduating from Belton, Anthony Rizzi went to Massachusetts Institute of Technology for his BS in physics. He received a physics MS from the University of Colorado and a Ph.D. in physics from Princeton University. For over 10 years he worked as a scientist for Martin Marietta in Denver, Colorado on projects including the Tethered Satellite, Manned Mars Craft and Mars Observer.

Since Einstein first conceived general relativity over 80 years ago, physicists have sought a definition for angular momentum. Professor Rizzi discovered the first such definition in 1997 thereby gaining worldwide recognition for his work in theoretical physics. He is established as both an outstanding theorist and experimenter in general relativity. specializing in LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) related areas.

He is employed by California Institute of Technology as a Senior Scientist and is an adjunct professor at Louisiana State University achievements have been recognized by SCIENCE magazine and NASA. Professor Rizzi also has an extensive background in theology and modern and ancient philosophy. He currently is writing a philosophy book for scientists and is the co-chairman of the LSU Faith and Reason Lecture Series.

Less than 10 years after coming to Belton to practice veterinary medicine, Dr. Kenneth VanSickle began his years of service on the Belton School Board. He served from 1982 until 1994 and was president for his last two terms. His ongoing support of the district includes participation in a number of other activities including being a member of strategic planning committees and active supporter of various levy proposals.

During his tenure on the board, the district experienced rapid growth which necessitated a number of building expansions and renovations including providing multi-purpose rooms in all the elementary schools, a two-story addition at Hillcrest Elementary School, new vocal and band facilities, a lunchroom, and a third educational wing at the high school. The Walnut building was re-designed and renovated for administrative offices as well as providing additional classrooms for Scott Elementary by connecting the two buildings.

Dr. VanSickle is a member of the national, state and local Veterinary Medical Associations and was among the first 10 charter members of the Belton Raymore Rotary Club. He's a member of the Belton Chamber of Commerce and the Main Street Merchants Association.

For almost 30 years “Dr. John” McKee was a familiar name and face at 201 Main Street in Belton. Following his graduation from Belton High School where he had been active in band and the drama department, he took pre-med courses at Central Methodist College and graduated from the Kansas City College of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons in 1943, then served an internship at Lakeside Hospital. He enlisted in the United States Navy medical Corps during World War II and served from 1943 to 1946.

After practicing a year in Oklahoma he returned to Belton in 1948 and continued a family medical tradition which his father Dr. Russell, and his mother, Dr. Gertrude McKee had begun some 20 years before. He took an interest in his adopted city, serving for 12 years on the Belton School Board and as president for two years. Previously he had been a member of the Belton Board of Aldermen. He was the team physician for the high school basketball and football teams.

Dr. McKee was a 50-year member of the Belton United Methodist Church, a member of the American Legion, the Masonic Lodge, Chamber of Commerce and the Blue Cross/Blue Shield committees. He died at age 64 on March 10, 1983.

A native of Belton, Mary Jones Lightfoot’s life has revolved around music. Besides playing clarinet in the high school band, she sang in choir and lettered in basketball, tennis, and softball. In the summers, she played in the band concerts, most of which were at ice cream socials.

Following high school graduation in 1940, she attended the Conservatory of Music in Kansas City for two years before enlisting in the Women’s Army Corps. She played in WAC bands in Iowa and California until her discharge in 1944. She enrolled at Central Missouri State College and received a Bachelor of Music degree. A teaching career followed at various high schools in Missouri and Kansas City with tenures at South Shelby-Shelbina from 1964-1977 and Cameron from 1977-1983. She believes all children should be exposed to music at an early age.

She is a member of the Overland Park Civic Band, the Kansas University Medical Arts Band, the Village Presbyterian Church Band, the American Legion Post Band, and the Old Shawnee Community Band. She’s a member of the Missouri Music Educators Association, Sigma Alpha Iota, and is a Hall of Fame member of the Missouri Bandmasters Association.

Al Dodson's leadership qualities were evident during his high school days. He was the originator of the BHS "Eye Opener," revived the school newspaper,"The Zeppelin," and was editor-in-chief of the first "Beltonian. He was president of his class as a sophomore, junior and senior.

After attending Central College in Fayette, he enlisted in the Navy and graduated from Navy Flight School in Pensacola, FL in 1940. He was stationed at Kaneohe Naval Air Station during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The Japanese struck Kaneohe first attempting to destroy the PBY aircraft, which was the only plane able to find the Japanese fleet. Ensign Dodson was navigator of one of 36 POWs stationed there but his plane and others were destroyed before they could get into the air. He participated in other battles of the Pacific Theater and flew rescue missions bringing others to safety.

During his 28 years of Naval Service he rose to the rank of Commander and served in a number of sensitive positions, including commanding at one time, the U.S. Naval Fleet Weather Center in Kodiak. AK, responsible for accurate weather forecasts for 8 % million square miles in the North Pacific and Arctic regions.

After graduating Belton High School in 1928, Douglas Ensminger went on to become a world renown rural sociologist. He received a degree in rural public welfare in 1933 from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a doctoral degree in rural sociology from Cornell in 1939, then joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

    His initial interest was how extension methods and techniques might make a difference in the rehabilitation of war-torn countries. In 1944 he chaired an international conference to explore those issues. For the next few years, he used his expertise in Mexico and other Latin American countries. He went to India as a Ford Foundation representative in 1951 and stayed for 19 years, also serving as a consultant to the government of India on agriculture and rural development.

    He joined the faculty at the University of Missouri in 1970 where he carried on research and wrote extensively on world problems of food, hunger, and poverty. He delivered the first Dag Hammarskjold Memorial Lecture at Columbia University in New York and was the recipient of the Browning Award in 1980 for “achievements in improving food sources anywhere in the world.”
 

Frances Lea Blair McCurdy provided what one former student described as "top professional training in speech and drama" While at Belton her one-act plays went to state contests in 1938 and 1940. She left to leach in Columbia. MO and in 1952 became professor of speech and dramatic art at the University of Missouri-Columbia, later receiving a master of arts degree and a doctorate in 1957.

She was an author, speaker and reader, writing frequently for speech and history journals. Her book. "Stump. Bar and Pulpit." was published by the University of Missouri Press in 1970 after Dr. McCurdy had spent 10 years researching journals, newspapers and manuscripts prior to publication. The premise of the book was that the frontier of the early 19th century was a complex society and a region of great social and economic mobility.

In 1971, she was named Outstanding Faculty Woman by the Alumnae Anniversary Fund Committee for her noteworthy contributions to the education of women on the UMC campus. She headed the dramatic interpretation department and was one of three or four nationally prominent people in that field in this part of the country.
 

As test conductor, John Harrison pushed the button which launched the free world's first intercontinental ballistic missile on June 11, 1957. The pioneering flight was the first for the United States and was instrumental in establishing a potent ICBM force and emerging space program.

Harrison graduated from Finlay Engineering College in Kansas City with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree. He worked for Cessna Aircraft in Wichita, KS in the experimental department, assigned to aircraft development and flight testing. He joined Boeing in 1944 and was in the engineering flight testing program. B-29 With Consolidated Vultee Aircraft he became involved with surface to air missiles in 1947, becoming a Test Conductor for both Lark and Terrier missiles. He was assigned to the Atlas ICBM program in 1952 and was active in planning for the launch operations at Cape Canaveral.

Before his retirement in 1981, he served in a number of capacities with the space program including senior project engineer for the communications satellites, Comstat and Intelsat. He remains active in 1999 as a member of the San Diego Aerospace Museum.

A teacher and coach for some 30 years, Gwynne Coomes is remembered by one student as "teaching many of us to recognize the validity of good citizenship." He came to Belton in the spring of 1953 after graduating from Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg, KS. with a major in Health and Physical Education and a minor in Social Studies. His Master's degree was from the University of Northern Colorado in 1954.

His first year here, he coached 17 players who hold the record to this day as Belton's only undefeated football team. During six years in Belton, besides his teaching duties, he was the prolific coach of all sports - football, basketball, track and baseball. From 1959 until his retirement in 1980, Coomes taught physical education and coached at Central and East High Schools in Kansas City. He is a charter member of the Belton American Legion Post, a member of the Belton Historical Society and the retired teachers' associations of Missouri and Kansas City.

Currently he is active with 1953 team members who designed and built the brick memorial walkway at Belton High School, which helps fund the BHS Undefeated Attitude Athletic Scholarship.

A two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist for feature writing, Tad Bartimus spent 25 years covering major news stories from around the world. She graduated from the University of Missouri in 1969 with a degree in journalism and joined the Associated Press that year. At her insistence she was sent to Vietnam in 1973 as a war correspondent when women covering wars was still an oddity.

She went to Alaska in 1974 to cover the construction of the Alaskan pipeline and a year later was named bureau chief of the Anchorage office, the first woman to head a domestic AP bureau. She was a foreign correspondent in Great Britain and South America before spending 14 years as a roving correspondent in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain states. In 1993 she was named the Atwood Professor of Journalism at the University of Alaska, Anchorage.

In 1985 she founded the Journalism and Women Symposium (JAWS) at the University of Missouri and has received a lifetime achievement medal from the Journalism School there. Today she writes a weekly column distributed by her own syndicate which appears in 25 papers nationwide.

Belton was Frank Blair's world and he spent a lifetime quietly and without fanfare making things "Better in Belton." He was born Sept. 30, 1909 in the house at 113 W. North Ave. where he spent his childhood and all his married years.

He attended and graduated from Westminster College in Fulton, MO in 1931. He joined the Bank of Belton that same year, following in his father's footsteps. His tenure at the bank spanned 62 years until his retirement in 1993. He became president in 1961 and served 22 years in that capacity.

He was a member and past president of the Belton Chamber of Commerce. He was a founder and member of the Richards-Gebaur Base Community Council; a supporter and team manager of the Belton Baseball Assn., a quiet supporter and life member of the Belton Historical Society and member and past treasurer of the Missouri Independent Bankers Assn. On a personal level he was known for his patriotism, his humor and extensive flag collection which numbered close to 100 and included replicas of many of America's flags as well as selected foreign countries. Blair died March 30, 1996

What is considered the first Vocational Agricultural high school program in Missouri was established by "Mule" Campbell who came to Belton in 1920 as a teacher and coach after graduation from the University of Missouri in 1918.

His 13-year tenure here included some outstanding highlights for him and for the school. Under Campbell, a number of MU Ag students came to Belton each year for six weeks of "practice teaching" in the Vo-Ag curriculum. It was the first in Missouri to train student teachers. Because when the new Walnut Street school was built in 1922, it had one of the best equipped Vo-Ag facilities in the state. His Belton High School team won the National Dairy Judging competition trophy at Memphis, TN in 1927. The 1920-21 basketball team that he coached, won all but one game for a 26-1 season.

He was a member of the board of directors at Citizens Bank of Belton for many years, a member of the Board of Education during the thirties, a member and past master of the Belton Masonic Lodge and a long-time elder of the Belton Christian Church and Sunday School teacher there for 50 years. Campbell died March 2, 1981.
 

Love of his hometown, his country and its armed services have been evident in Tom Keeney's dedication to each and is reflected in his untiring and enthusiastic efforts on their behalf over a lifetime. During World War II, he served as co-pilot on a B-24 bomber in the European Theater. When his plane was shot down over Germany, he was captured by the Germans and he spent seven months as a prisoner of war before being liberated in April 1945.

Returning to Belton, he became involved in a variety of activities which had an impact on Belton's well-being. He was elected the first commander of Belton's VFW Post, was a city alderman, a member of the Belton planning commission and served nine years as a member of the Belton School Board.

He is a life member of the Belton Historical Society and through that group has taken a prime role in preserving the history of Belton High School. He received the Belton Pride Award, was named Lions Club Man of the Year and was cited by the City of Belton and the Missouri Municipal League for outstanding community service.

For some 65 years before his death July 5, 1998, Marion Ensminger had a distinguished career as an animal scientist in the field of agriculture. He received his Bachelor's and Master’s degrees at the University of Missouri and his doctorate at the University of Minnesota with emphasis in animal science and biochemistry.

He was a college professor for 25 years, serving on the staffs of such universities as Massachusetts, Minnesota and Washington State. He was the first president of the American Society of Agricultural Consultants and president of the Agriservices Foundation, a non-profit and non-endowed foundation involved in the area of world food hunger and malnutrition. On behalf of that organization, he lectured and conducted seminars and schools in 69 countries. He also directed 40 International Stockman Schools and 21 Horse Science Schools with guest professors and enrollees from around the world.

Iowa State University at Ames is completing a wing in Kildee Hall which will be dedicated to Ensminger and his wife, Audrey, with whom he collaborated on 22 books, which have been translated into several languages.

For more than 40 years, Leo Mosby served his hometown in a variety of ways, most notably in the arena of youth baseball. He began in the early 50's with American Legion ball teams and then spent more than 30 years with the Belton Baseball Assn. He was known as Mr. Baseball and in 1986 was named to the national Pony Baseball Wall of Fame in Pennsylvania.

His love of children and baseball combined to make Belton a leader in youth baseball leagues and facilities for the same. He was a long-time member of the Belton Park Board and he and others on the board were instrumental in the physical development of Belton Memorial Park.

He was a member of the Belton city council for several terms in the early 70's and also a member of Belton Community Projects, an organization which successfully campaigned to save from destruction Belton's original city hall. He chaired a school district citizens committee in 1980 which promoted and saw passed a $1.3M bond issue which resulted in the building of a new gymnasium and fine arts building at the high school. He received the Kansas City Corporate Volunteer of the Year award in 1987.

Grace Wilson Van Brunt founded The Grace Company, which for more than 50 years, most of them in Belton, manufactured an exclusive line of children's clothes, sizes one through six. The company had its beginnings in the early Thirties as an outgrowth of her daughter's dislike of the boyish look of playclothes. As her company grew, so did the need for additional space. She brought the business to Belton in 1937 and space in city hall was the first factory location. Later, several buildings in the 300 block of Main Street.

The company was the originator of the "Crawler," which featured hand-cut and sewn appliques, "non-skid" shoulder straps, adjustable waist bands and controlled shirt tails. It and other designs brought the company national and international fame. Grace Company creations were carried by exclusive stores in such places as New York, Chicago and Dallas.

The Grace Company building on Mill Street, now part of the Belton school district campus, was built in 1956. After her death Dec. 28, 1973, the company continued under family leadership until 1993 when it was the last of 66 other Kansas City area textile plants to close its door.

Believing every day was a "beautiful day in Belton," J. Weldon Jackson directed his energies for many years to wide-ranging efforts to improve the quality of life in the city he loved, as well as at the county level and neighboring Raymore. He was especially devoted to the Belton school system and served 18 years on the school board, including three terms as president. All eight of his children and two of his grandchildren also are graduates.

For more than 75 years he was a member of the Belton United Methodist Church and served as a Lay Leader and Sunday School teacher. He was a charter member and former commander of the Belton American Legion Post as well as being a member of many civic, charitable and political organizations in Belton and Raymore.

As city clerk of Belton for several years and later president of Citizens Belton, he was acutely knowledgeable about Belton and the surrounding area and worked tirelessly in a variety of ways for its betterment. He was the recipient of numerous awards and citations, including the Belton Pride Award and also was named the Lions Club Man of the Year.