Hall of Famers: Ray, Alexander inducted into Blount Hall of Fame
By Joel Davis | (joeld@thedailytimes.com)
The inaugural Blount County Hall of Fame honored inductees Richard “Dick” Ray and U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., at a dinner and induction ceremony Tuesday at the Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville.
Ray thanked the audience and said the honor is a special one. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this honor,” he said. “It’s a very humbling experience. ... I will remember this for my remaining years.”
Ray is a former State Board of Education member and former ALCOA Tennessee Operations manager. Alexander, former governor of Tennessee and U.S. secretary of education under President George H.W. Bush, is currently serving his second term as senator.
During his comments, Ray praised the work of the Boys & Girls Club, which hosted the event as a fundraiser. “Any time you can take kids and morally and ethically point them up ... you’ve really got something,” he said.
Alexander was keynote speaker of the event. He listed Ray’s contributions to Blount County and the state. “There is so much good to find out about Dick Ray,” he said.
In his comments, Alexander pointed out Ray’s community leadership as ALCOA Tennessee Operations manager — “He had the confidence of the men and women of the plant” — as well as his civic involvement and ability to bring out the best in others.
“Congratulations, Dick Ray,” he said. “We are proud of you.”
After his acceptance speech, Ray, who had originally been billed as the “sole inductee,” turned around and announced that Alexander would be the second inductee into the Hall of Fame.
All proceeds from the event went to the Boys & Girls Club of Blount County.
Bill Landry, producer of the “Heartland Series,” served as master of ceremonies. “We are here for the kids,” he said.
Jeff Money, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club Blount County, praised the members of his club. “We are very proud of our members’ academic successes,” he said.The club tries to instill good character and values into its members, Money said. “We want them to be able to take care of themselves and their families and live a successful life.”The Boys & Girls Club of Blount County, a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley, began providing services to children in 2000. There are 14 club locations in Knox, Blount, Loudon and Anderson counties.
