Page 124 - some-stuff-i-wrote-and-some-stuff-i-didn't-(2011)-h-morris-williams

Some Stuff I Wrote and Some Stuff I Didn't (2011) H. Morris Williams

FAREWELL, KEITH WILSON

Keith A. Wilson (CHS 1927) died last Monday at the age of 93. He was a born
educator. He worked his yray through the University of Florida, then taught at
the old Murray Hill School on 441 north.

Later in his career, he became our county's first Director of Adult Education
and he retired as Lake City Community College's first Director of Continuing
Education.

Keith's special calling was to encourage those who had dropped out of school to
return and get a GED diploma. To honor those who did, he started the first
formal graduation ceremony for GED graduates.

Keith, a gracious and courtly Southern gentleman, was a quietly efficient
educator who did much for our school system and he left a legacy to be respected
and honored.

KEITH'S FRIEND, TOM

After Keith retired and couldn't get around very well on his own, Tom
Harkleroad 'adopted' Keith and became Keith's personal chauffeur and friend.

Most afternoons Tom would pick up Keith from the assisted living facility and
take him to the DeSoto Drug Store for an ice cream soda. Then later that day,
Tom would again get Keith and drive him to the Shands at Lake Shore dining room
for supper, and then go for a leisurely drive around town.

You can imagine how much it meant to Keith to be able to get out and about every
day.

Tom is a remarkable man himself. He moved here from Tennessee in 1960 and
taught science at the old Lake City Junior High School under Principal P.A.
Browning.

Then he moved up the career ladder to become the school system's Director of
Finance, where he became known as one of the best in North Florida.

After his retirement, he became a super volunteer, donating his time to the
Elks Lodge, the V.A. Medical Center, Wesley United Methodist Church, the
Christian Service Center, and Lake City Medical Center. He has donated so much
time to the Lake City Medical Center that many employees there call him "Dr.
Tom."

So, each day after a full schedule of volunteering, Tom would pick up his
friend Keith and go for a soda and/or supper or an afternoon drive.

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