The Hall of Carthage Heroes Oversight Committee is pleased to announce the election of seven Carthage Heroes to the Class of 2018.
The installation ceremony for this year’s class will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at the Fair Acres Family YMCA.
Founded in 2012, the Hall of Carthage Heroes, located at the Fair Acres Family YMCA, is the fulfillment of a dream of Marvin VanGilder and others to recognize and honor Carthaginians whose lives or accomplishments have brought credit and recognition to Carthage, and who are worthy of emulation by today’s citizens. It honors heroes past and present, citizens of distinction and outstanding athletes and teams.
The Class of 2018 was chosen by an independent selection committee of five people, representing various Carthage civic organizations, from nominations submitted by the general public.
The Heroes of the Class of 2018
• Harry Mack Cornell, Jr., Business Leader – A graduate of Carthage High School and the University of Missouri, Mr. Cornell joined Leggett & Platt in 1950. Working his way up through the ranks, the board named him President & Chief Executive Officer in 1960 and Chairman of the Board in 1982. Over 48 years, he transformed a small, regional company to manufacture springs into a world leader in the manufacture of a diverse group of products for homes, offices, and automobiles. In 2002, Mr. Cornell was named Chairman Emeritus of the Board; he retired in 2008 after 58 years of service. Over the years, Harry Mack has also supported numerous philanthropic endeavors including Cornell Hall & the Cornell Leadership Program at MU, Cornell-Beshore Cancer Institute at Freeman Health System, Harry M. Cornell Medical Education Center at the Joplin Campus of Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences, and the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex.
• Ben Edwin Johnson, Civic Leader – Born in Carthage and a 1953 graduate of Carthage High School, Mr. Johnson went to work for Eagle Picher Technologies after college. During his 32 years with the company, he was named on several patents. Ben helped design batteries for the space program including Skylab, the Lunar Rover and Apollo spaceships, and the lunar module that saved the Apollo 13 astronauts. Upon retiring, Ben was appointed by Governor Carnahan in 1998 to serve the remainder of an unexpired term as Jasper County Eastern District Commissioner. Ben was devoted to serving his community & was elected to the Carthage City Council for three terms. He was a active member of Carthage Kiwanis and served on the boards of Carthage Water & Electric Plant, Powers Museum, Civil War Museum, and Jasper County Cemetery. Ben was also a CASA Volunteer to advocate for abused or neglected children in the foster care system.
• Thomas James Loyd, Golf – Tom was born in Carthage, graduated from Carthage High School in 1968 and the University of Missouri in 1972. At Carthage High, he was a golf stand-out, winning numerous tournaments. In 1968, Tom was named Missouri High School State Champion in Golf. At Mizzou, Tom lettered all four years as a member of the Golf Team. While serving in the U.S. Army and stationed in Alaska, Tom won the 1974 Alaska State Amateur title. Following his service, he returned to Columbia to be Assistant & Head Professional at the Country Club of Missouri. He was elected a PGA Professional in 1980. Tom served as the Mizzou Men’s and Women’s Assistant Coach from 1977-1997, as well as the Mizzou Women’s Golf Head Coach from 1998-2001. Under Tom’s leadership, the Mizzou Women qualified for three straight NCAA Regional Tournament appearances and finished a school-best 12th at the 2001 Regional. He was inducted into the Columbia, Missouri Golf Foundation Hall of Fame in 2016.
• Roy E. Mayes, Sr., Business Pioneer – Mr. Mayes moved to Carthage in 1929 & began work at Carthage Marble, becoming President in 1933. Roy grew the company into a leading employer & employed many special artisans & marble craftsmen from all over the world. Carthage Marble was internationally recognized as the world’s largest gray marble quarry, its stone gracing many landmarks such as the Missouri State Capitol. Roy also dedicated his life to civic duty serving as Civil Defense Chairman during WWII, Panel Member of the War Labor Board, President of Carthage Chamber of Commerce Board, President of Carthage R-9 School Board, President & 50-year member of Carthage Rotary Club, President of Carthage Park Board, and Chairman of the Board of Carthage YMCA. In 1961, Roy was appointed by the Governor to the MO State Highway Commission. Through his influence, along with State Senator Richard Webster, it was assured that Carthage would be on the new U.S. Interstate through SWMO (now known as I-49).
• Allison Medlin, Track & Cross Country – Growing up in Carthage, Allison became one of the top age group runners in the country. At just 16, she earned a gold medal at the AAU/USA Youth Cross Country National Championship. At Carthage High, Allison was a three-time state cross country medalist, finishing 3rd in 1994 and 1996. In 1995, she dominated the girls high school season, winning 8 meets before State, including District and Sectional, and then the state championship. She’s the only cross country runner from Carthage ever to do so, running the 3rd fastest time in state history. Allison was also a three-time state individual medalist in track & field, and two-time 4×800 meter relay medalist in 1995 and 1996. In 1995, she placed 2nd at State in the 1600 and 3200 meter runs, and she also placed 2nd in the 3200 in 1996. To this day, she holds Carthage Lady Tigers school records. Allison went on to compete at the University of Arkansas.
• Kathryn E. Redmond, Educator & Civic Leader – After earning a master’s degree from Lincoln University, Mrs. Redmond moved to Carthage in 1927 to teach at Lincoln School. Serving as a teacher & school administrator in Carthage for more than 38 years, she was a most significant leader in the peaceful desegregation of Carthage Schools in the 1950s. Kathryn was the final Principal at the all-black Lincoln School, serving there from 1945 – 1955, when it closed after desegregation. She concluded her career at Eugene Field School, retiring in 1965, but still serving as a substitute for several years. Mrs. Redmond won numerous awards, including being named Carthage Area Retired Teacher of the Year in 1972. Kathryn was also a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the Eastern Jasper County Mental Health Association. As a prominent leader of Wesley Methodist Church and an active member of First United Methodist Church, she was the first woman & first black person to speak at the annual Carthage Laymen’s Pre-Christmas Services.
• Richard Melton Webster, State Legislator – A 1940 graduate of Carthage High School, Mr. Webster went on to earn his Juris Doctor at the University of Missouri. Dick began his law practice in Carthage in 1949 with close friend, and later Judge, Herbert Casteel. He served his country during WWII. Mr. Webster, a Carthage Republican, was first elected to the MO House of Representatives in 1948, was re-elected in 1950, and in a special election in 1953. He represented the Jasper County Eastern District & was elected Speaker of the Missouri House in 1954. He later served as a MO State Senator from 1962 until his death in 1990. To honor his sponsoring of the legislation to create Missouri Southern State College (now MSSU), the Richard M. Webster Communications & Social Science Building was dedicated in 1992. Additionally, the Richard M. Webster Medallion is awarded annually by MSSU to an outstanding elected official. Carthage’s prestigious Citizen of the Year award is also named in honor of Richard M. Webster.
These seven heroes join 67 other Carthaginians inducted to the Hall since 2012.
Family, friends, past recipients, and community members are encouraged to attend. For full biographies and photos of the inductees, as well as information on nominating someone for the Class of 2019, visit the Hall website at hallofcarthageheroes.org.
About Hall of Carthage Heroes
Established in 2012, Hall of Carthage Heroes is a distinctive honor for citizens of Carthage, Missouri who have exhibited the highest qualities, in both their professional and personal lives, in the betterment of Carthage and our country. The Hall has two divisions, one to recognize pioneers & citizens of distinction, the other to honor outstanding athletes. New nominations are accepted each year and an anonymous committee made of citizens from various Carthage civic groups selects the class of honorees. Learn more at hallofcarthageheroes.org and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/hallofcarthageheroes. Gifts to support Hall of Carthage Heroes are appreciated and may be made at Carthage Community Foundation.
