Lacey Sunrise Lions is honored to have or have had among its members the following recipients of the Melvin Jones Fellowship. Each of these fellows has been awarded this highest of recognition by their club for outstanding service to their community and to lionism.

Robert Makula, PDG

T. Duane Wilson

Bob Kelley

Clif Brandsma

Dennis Reed

George Rasmussen

James LaBelle, PDG

Mel Olsen

Lyell Clark

Claude Hinman

Bob Lawrence

Bob Pinson

Dave Whitcher

Roberta Pinson

Justin Comeaux

Lew Watkins

Robert Makula, PDG
(Deceased)

     In March,1994 Past District Governor Robert Makula became the first member of the Lacey Sunrise Lions to be awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship by his club. Bob was a charter member of The Lacey Sunrise Lions Club and served as Zone Chairman in Lion year 1979-1980 and as Governor of district 19-C during Lion year 1987-1988

     PDG Bob served as a naval aviator in World War II and the Korean conflict and was awarded two Air Medals.

T. Duane Wilson
(Deceased)

     PZC Duane Wilson  was born, reared, and attended school through high school in the Olympia, Washington area. He  attended college and Dental School at the University of Washington.  Subsequently he served in the US Air Force for 4 years.
     He joined the Olympia Host Lions in 1966 and became a charter member of the Lacey Sunrise Lions in 1975.  He has had perfect attendance for all of the years of membership.
     He has served as President of both the Olympia Host and the Lacey Sunrise Lions, has been Tail twister several times and has served as Secretary of the Lacey Sunrise for over 4 years.  He served as Zone Chairman of the newly created Zone 19 - C-7 (now C-6) in 1989-90.  Hehas held various chairmanships over the years and has been active in many service and fundraising projects.
     His wife, Helena, and he have two children, Jim, Ginny Lou (also a member of Lacey Sunrise), and one granddaughter.
     Duane Wilson was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship by his club, Lacey Sunrise Lions in December, 1994 PZC Duane Wilson Passed away in 2003.

Bob Kelley

     Past Zone Chairman Bob Kelley was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship by his club, Lacey Sunrise Lions in June, 1994

Clif Brandsma

     Clif Brandsma was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship by his club, Lacey Sunrise Lions in May, 1996

Dennis Reed, PZC

     Lion Dennis has been a proud lion since 1989. He was president of the Lacey Sunrise club in 1995. Following his year as a 100% president he earned the 100% Zone Chairman Award. He served a second term as Zone Chairman in 1999 when he was also awarded the Zone Chairman's Efficiency Award. Lion Dennis has been a member of the District Cabinet since 1997 serving as CARE Chairman, Youth Exchange Chairman, and International Understanding Chairman. He was lion of the year in 1993.

     Two times Past Zone Chairman Dennis was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship by his club, Lacey Sunrise Lions in June, 1999

     The Lacey Sunrise Lions Club is proud to nominate and endorse PZC Dennis as a candidate for Vice District Governor of District 19C for Lion year 2002-03.

George Rasmussen

     George Rasmussen was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship by his club, Lacey Sunrise Lions in June, 2000

James LaBelle

Past District Governor James LaBelle,  was presented with a Melvin Jones Fellowship at the annual new officers instillation banquet held on June 16, 2001. PDG Jim is a strong advocate for Camp Leo, A LIONS sponsored summer camp for children with Diabetes.

When I retired from a long career in sales in late 1991, I was asked by a friend to attend a Lacey Sunrise Lions meeting and a neighbor asked me to visit his Kiawanis Club. For six months I attended both meetings, and then decided to join the Lacey Sunrise Lions in 1992. This decision was based on the friendly handshake always received as I entered each meeting, and the outreach projects that Sunrise Lions provided to this community.

I became involved with Lions projects from the very beginning of my membership. In 1993 I helped with a Sunrise sponsored health fair, became co-chair of the event in 1994, and chairman in 1995 and 1996. I served as a director, vice president, then president of Lacey Sunrise in 1998, and became Zone Chairman of C-6 in the 1999/2000 Lions year. The Sunrise Lions presented me with the Melvin Jones Fellowship award June 16, 2001.

In December 1999, I attended a meeting where the program was about Camp Leo for Children with Diabetes. This camp provides a camping experience and Diabetes education for children 7 to 12 years of age. Several Lions Clubs supported this program through scholarships for children of low-income families. I felt the Lions of District 19 C could do more, and I became the voice of Camp Leo, speaking to Lions clubs in our district. I was asked to present the Camp Leo program at the March 3rd 19 C Spring Conference, and will continue to speak about Camp Leo and raise funds for the camp as long as there are Lions willing to listen.

Vice District Governor Pete Gomes asked me to serve as VDG for his term as District Governor, and I thought about this commitment for many weeks. My wife Carol and I spent considerable time talking about this commitment and with her support, I accepted the opportunity to serve as Vice District Governor.

I have often made the comment, "becoming a Lion has given me the opportunity to meet and make many new friends". I have found that to be true as I travel the district with the Camp Leo program and Vice District Governor duties.

Mel Olsen

     Mel Olsen was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship by his club, Lacey Sunrise Lions in  2002

Lyell Clark

     Past King Lion Lyell Clark was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship by his club, Lacey Sunrise Lions in November, 2003. Lyell has been an active member of the Lacey Sunrise Lions Club since March 1988. He has served in some position on the board of directors almost every year since joining the club. Lyell served as King Lion in 1993-1994 and is currently serving as club Treasure. He has served as chairperson of several comities and was instrumental in initiating new club projects such as participation in the Pease Poster Contest and the Entertainment book fund raising project. He has been awarded Lion of the Year twice and has received the Outstanding Lion award every year since joining the club. 

Claude Hinman

Bob Lawrence

Robert Pinson

Roberta joined Lacey Sunrise in 1996 and served as Director, a two time 100% Secretary, 3^rd, 2^nd and 1^st Vice president, and President. She created the club’s 501C(3) foundation status, chaired Pancake Breakfasts, established the Community Partnership Program with Albertsons, served on the majority of club projects since 1996, has nine consecutive perfect attendance and Outstanding Lion Recognition awards and was Lion of the Year in 1998. In 2006-2007, as Membership Chair, she wrote the Information Guide for Lacey Sunrise members.

Above the club level, Roberta is a 100% Past Zone Chairman and received the Multiple District’s Zone Chairman Efficiency Award for Zones with up to 8 clubs in 2005-2006. She served as Zone Secretary, District Secretary Trainer, District Environmental Co-Chair, Founding Secretary for the NW Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center and established their 501 C(3) foundation status. In 2006-2007 she is the District Leader Dog Chair and Zone C-6 LCIF Chair. Roberta is a Certified Guiding Lion.

In addition to her Lion’s activities, Roberta and her husband, Bob, have 6 grown children, 13 grand children, and 2 great grand children. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is a Master Gardener.

Justin Comeaux

     Transferred in to Lacey Sunrise Club in 2000 from Spokane Washington. Justin received his Melvin Jones Fellowship in

Lew Watkins
(Deceased)

     Charter Member Lew Watkins was awarded a Melvin Jones Fellowship posthumously.