2023 Distinguished Citizen
Gary Morton
The Tell City Historical Society named the citizen of the year and held a banquet in his honor. Gary Morton is the chosen recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Citizen Award. A potluck style meal was held and Morton shared with the crowd about himself.
Morton came over to Tell City in 1979 when he took a leap of faith and filled out an application for a coaching position with the Tell City school system. He originally lived in Oakland City and was even about to purchase a new home when he received the call that brought him to Perry County.
He came to Tell City as a wrestling coach and an assistant football coach. He had come from Luke Memorial Middle School, where he taught.
Morton would often be around other coaches during things like weight training. This is where he got to know Tom Byrd Jr., who was a coach and taught at Mount Vernon Grade School. Byrd made mention of an opening in Tell City for an assistant coach position. Morton said that he would think about it and then mulled it over with his wife, Linda.
That was in February.
He had nearly forgotten about the application and was even about to purchase a new home. They were going to be signing the papers the same day that he got the call. The principal of the high school reached out and offered an interview. He decided to make the drive out to Tell City.
Morton spoke of the “mud room” where the boys would practice. He said it was not very big but they did their pushups and jumping jacks in that room. The wall was a concrete brick wall. In the wintertime, the temperature would be negative 20 outside so the wall would be negative 20 outside. The water would be streaming down the walls.
When the new gym was built, they had to share it with the girls’ teams. Coach Morton had his own whistle and Coach Whittaker had his own whistle. They both had a different pitch. Each group knew the sound of their own whistle.
Morton then talked about his parents and the influence they had on who he became as a person. His parents were Glen and Goldie Morton. He was the only survivor out of four children.
His father grew up in the Great Depression and had a great work ethic. He often spoke of hoeing potatoes. Morton remembers growing up, that his father would be called what they called a caller. He could be running a high fever and would still go to work. His work ethic was strong.
Morton’s mother was a prime example of hospitality. Anyone who walked into her home would immediately be asked how they were doing and if they were hungry. He had a friend that needed a place to go for the night, so he offered his home for dinner. His friend was concerned since Morton’s mother didn’t know he would be attending. Morton told him not to worry. He knew his mother wouldn’t turn away a hungry child.
Morton came from a town that had no diversity. There was one African American man in Oakland City. The man was 85 years old. His father invited him to supper at their home. Morton believes that it was for his benefit that his father did that. He wanted to teach his son that you don’t judge someone by the color of their skin, where they go to church or how they worship. You judge them for who they are and what they are, according to Morton.
His parents influenced and inspired him to be who he became. He had a similar experience with his own children. He used another life teaching moment to show his children that you don’t pass judgement on outer appearances.
Morton served on the City Council for four terms. He has served under multiple mayors that all had one thing in common. They all wanted to see better for Tell City.
Morton spoke about how the city embraces those who come here. If we want to retain them, we must show them hospitality.
Morton thanked everyone for the award.
Mayor Chris Cail stated that Morton has always been a pleasure to work with. He had him as a teacher and worked alongside him on the City Council and then with him on city council now. This will be his last year on the city council.
“He will be missed but I know he will still come around,” said Cail.
Cail stated that their doors will always be open to Morton. He has done a lot for the community.
Gary Morton
The Tell City Historical Society named the citizen of the year and held a banquet in his honor. Gary Morton is the chosen recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Citizen Award. A potluck style meal was held and Morton shared with the crowd about himself.
Morton came over to Tell City in 1979 when he took a leap of faith and filled out an application for a coaching position with the Tell City school system. He originally lived in Oakland City and was even about to purchase a new home when he received the call that brought him to Perry County.
He came to Tell City as a wrestling coach and an assistant football coach. He had come from Luke Memorial Middle School, where he taught.
Morton would often be around other coaches during things like weight training. This is where he got to know Tom Byrd Jr., who was a coach and taught at Mount Vernon Grade School. Byrd made mention of an opening in Tell City for an assistant coach position. Morton said that he would think about it and then mulled it over with his wife, Linda.
That was in February.
He had nearly forgotten about the application and was even about to purchase a new home. They were going to be signing the papers the same day that he got the call. The principal of the high school reached out and offered an interview. He decided to make the drive out to Tell City.
Morton spoke of the “mud room” where the boys would practice. He said it was not very big but they did their pushups and jumping jacks in that room. The wall was a concrete brick wall. In the wintertime, the temperature would be negative 20 outside so the wall would be negative 20 outside. The water would be streaming down the walls.
When the new gym was built, they had to share it with the girls’ teams. Coach Morton had his own whistle and Coach Whittaker had his own whistle. They both had a different pitch. Each group knew the sound of their own whistle.
Morton then talked about his parents and the influence they had on who he became as a person. His parents were Glen and Goldie Morton. He was the only survivor out of four children.
His father grew up in the Great Depression and had a great work ethic. He often spoke of hoeing potatoes. Morton remembers growing up, that his father would be called what they called a caller. He could be running a high fever and would still go to work. His work ethic was strong.
Morton’s mother was a prime example of hospitality. Anyone who walked into her home would immediately be asked how they were doing and if they were hungry. He had a friend that needed a place to go for the night, so he offered his home for dinner. His friend was concerned since Morton’s mother didn’t know he would be attending. Morton told him not to worry. He knew his mother wouldn’t turn away a hungry child.
Morton came from a town that had no diversity. There was one African American man in Oakland City. The man was 85 years old. His father invited him to supper at their home. Morton believes that it was for his benefit that his father did that. He wanted to teach his son that you don’t judge someone by the color of their skin, where they go to church or how they worship. You judge them for who they are and what they are, according to Morton.
His parents influenced and inspired him to be who he became. He had a similar experience with his own children. He used another life teaching moment to show his children that you don’t pass judgement on outer appearances.
Morton served on the City Council for four terms. He has served under multiple mayors that all had one thing in common. They all wanted to see better for Tell City.
Morton spoke about how the city embraces those who come here. If we want to retain them, we must show them hospitality.
Morton thanked everyone for the award.
Mayor Chris Cail stated that Morton has always been a pleasure to work with. He had him as a teacher and worked alongside him on the City Council and then with him on city council now. This will be his last year on the city council.
“He will be missed but I know he will still come around,” said Cail.
Cail stated that their doors will always be open to Morton. He has done a lot for the community.
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Tell City Historical Society's Distinguished Citizen Award
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1971 Frieda Marti
1972 Roy Fenn 1973 Edgar Schergens 1974 Clarence "Dixie" Davis 1975 Theodore "Doc" Hickerson 1976 Victor Weisenberger 1977 Clyde Walters 1978 Charles Borders 1979 Earl Bettinger |
1980 Noel Neifert, M.D.
1981 Arnold Mulzer 1982 Charles Schreiber, Sr. 1983 Clarence Schultz 1984 Jerome "Jerry" Stenftenagel 1985 Dorothy "Dot" Kessner 1986 Frank Clemens 1987 Anthony Pappano 1988 Hugh Thrasher 1989 Otto Aldridge Jr. |
1990 Emogene Snyder
1991 James & Mary Ann Hollinden 1992 Theodore & Effie Hickerson (Special Schweizer Fest Award) 1993 Paul Ziegelgruber 1994 Ruth & Owen Hinton 1995 Mary Ruth Heck 1996 Goldie Simpson 1997 Amos & Jeanette Rippy 1998 Michael F. Rutherford 1999 Fred Smith, Jr. M.D. |
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2000 Gene E. Ress, M.D.
2001 Glenn & Grace Katterhenry 2002 Ruth Anne Werner 2003 Louie Heitkemper 2004 Betty J. Gunn 2005 Mayor Gayle Strassell 2006 Carl & Jeanne Champion 2007 Patricia Crawford 2008 Lee A. Brown 2009 James L. Wittmer |
2010 Chris Cail
2011 Rebecca Fenn 2012 Tony Hollinden 2013 Bill Goffinet 2014 Joan Hess 2015 Al Hauenstein 2016 Janet Damin 2017 Phil & Jeanne Wittmer 2018 Gene Borders 2019 Jane & Steve Upmeyer 2020 First Responders 2021 Eric Kehl 2022 Betty Cash |
