EC Hall of Distinguished Alumni Announces Inaugural Class of Inductees

Seven Edmonson County Alumni Chosen For First-Ever Class

Darren Doyle, story:
The Edmonson County Hall of Distinguished Alumni (EC HODA) has announced their inaugural class that includes seven inductees.

The EC HODA opened nominations to the public in September of 2022 which allowed candidates to be nominated based on specific criteria. According to a press release from EC HODA, their purpose is to honor alumni whose exceptional achievements and careers reflect the highest values embraced and promoted by the school and committee. The award recipients have distinguished themselves by contributions made in their fields of work, professional or public service, or in the betterment of humanity.

The list of the inaugural class includes (in alphabetical order):

• Dr. Kevin Clemmons, a 1978 graduate of ECHS. He has served the area as a dentist for more than 30 years. He has also contributed to ECHS athletics as a paid and volunteer softball coach, and his family’s philanthropy has tremendously helped Edmonson County’s sports programs. He was also a gifted athlete while at ECHS and was a member of the 1976 KHSAA boys’ basketball state championship team.
• Sgt. First Class Larry Hawks (Ret.), a 1988 graduate of ECHS. He is a 30-plus year veteran of the U.S. Army and a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross Award, the second highest military honor that is awarded by the U.S. Army. Hawks has also been awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Special Forces tab, Ranger tab, Combat Infantry Badge, HALO Jumpmaster Badge, Static Line Jumpmaster and the Excellence in Combat Marksmanship Badge Bronze.
• Mrs. Jeanne Patton, a 1966 graduate of ECHS. Mrs. Patton began her long and successful banking career during her college years. She became a director of Bank of Edmonson County in 1981 and during her career, served as Vice President, Compliance Officer, Cashier, President, President and CEO, and then Chairperson of the Board of Directors in 2013. Under her leadership, Bank of Edmonson County grew from a $35M institution to what is now a $200M community bank in three locations.
• Bro. Jerry Patton, a 1961 graduate of ECHS. Bro. Patton has served the Edmonson County community for over six decades as an EMT, the founder of Patton Funeral Home, an advocate of Edmonson County, and a well-respected religious leader. Bro. Patton has served on nearly every committee and organization that has ever contributed to the growth and promotion of Edmonson County through his years of service and has helped countless individuals in their spiritual lives. After purchasing Don Sharer’s Funeral Home in 1952, Patton Funeral Home has grown into three locations and serves thousands in the area each year.
• Johnny Pete Vincent, a 1959 graduate of Kyrock High School. Mr. Vincent was a gifted athlete as a student in the late 50s at Kyrock and went on to be a local educator and administrator in Edmonson County Schools. He was a longtime principal at ECHS and Kyrock Elementary, constructively impacting the lives of thousands of students during his tenure. He served as principal of ECHS in 1976 when the Edmonson Wildcats won the boys’ basketball KHSAA state tournament. His positive and professional representation of Edmonson County put the county in a much different light than the preconceived notions of a small, rural community. A gifted Sunday School teacher and church leader, he has been a positive influence in hundreds of other individuals outside of school, and still is today.
• The Late David Webb, a 1959 graduate of Brownsville High School. He began his professional career as a local educator and served as a longtime superintendent of Edmonson County Schools. During his tenure, he oversaw the construction of a new high school in 1982 as well as millions of dollars in improvements to both Edmonson County Middle and Kyrock Elementary Schools. The relationships he built with legislators greatly benefited the schools of Edmonson County . He also held seats on both the KY Board of Education and the KHSAA Board of control.
• Johnny Webb, a 1961 graduate of ECHS. Mr. Webb established Southern School Supply in 1977, and built a large and successful company over the course of 20 years. He was elected mayor of Bowling Green in 1992 and established Operation Pride, an organization dedicated to the appearance, landscapes, and entrances to the city of Bowling Green. He is a member of Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame and a former recipient of Small Business Person of the Year. He was also a founding board member of the KY Tri-Modal Transpark Authority, now the home to dozens of manufacturing facilities and thousands of jobs. His family’s philanthropy has reached into Edmonson County for many years, helping local causes with no wanted recognition.

ECHS Principal Jonathan Williams said he was beyond excited for the inaugural inductees.

"This group of people sets the bar high in regards to distinguished accomplishments in many areas, but most of all, they have also found ways to make Edmonson County a better place," he said. "Getting the privilege to be present when five of the seven were informed and on the phone with the other two was truly a great honor.  To see their reactions, the tears, the humbleness they showed, and their words of reflection was truly special for me to witness. During the selection process, our committee received a number of excellent nominations, agreed on effective and fair criteria for choosing this year's inductees, and in my view, we had great conversations during the selection process. My hat is off to committee chair Amanda Lich for leading this committee, as she has done a wonderful job exhibiting professionalism during this process."

An induction ceremony dinner is scheduled for Thursday, January 26, 2023 in conjunction with the Edmonson County Chamber of Commerce at Tayvin Gardens Event Venue and Restaurant, located in the Chalybeate Community. Tickets will be available at a later date and corporate table sponsorships are also available.

The day after the ceremony dinner, the inductees will also be recognized at the Edmonson County High School basketball boy-girl game at home against Grayson County, on Friday, January 27, 2023. 

"I have been blessed to have experienced the great leadership, philanthropy, and the overall giving of the majority of these inductees and we have all had the privilege of enjoying freedom in the USA because of the service and sacrifice of men and women like SFC Hawks," Williams added. "I hope our students at ECHS choose to take a path like these inductees have, which is distinguished work and pouring back into this great county."
 
Each inductee will be honored with a plaque that will be permanently displayed at Edmonson County High School.