In front a crowd of spectators Friday night at Dick Smith Park, the honored citizen of the 27th annual Old Mining Town Days event was announced.
This year, the honor went to Grover Akehurst.
According to a proclamation – read by John Wright, announcer – Akehurst has lived in Granby for 60 years, started working at Pet Milk Company at the age of 21 and retired after 38 years of employment. Akehurst served as a Granby volunteer firefighter and later became fire chief, officially retiring in 1991. The honored citizen also helped with many other projects in Granby. One particular project was the renovation of the Granby Miners Museum. He helped bring the museum to life by creating many exhibits, including the installation of the old saloon bar.
“Thanks a million and thanks for all of the people who voted for me,” Akehurst said. “This was a great honor.”
Qualifications to be nominated as honored citizen include the person has to be a resident of the town or had gone to school there. Plus, they have to do something significant for the town.
Asked what is one of his fondest memories about living in Granby, Akehurst told about the Granby Miners Museum.
“I think working down at the Old Miners Museum,” he said. “I had a lot of good friends who worked down there. We just remodeled it. We moved that big old bar in there (that we got from Joplin). I also have some memories on the fire department.”
He and his wife, Virginia, have been married since April 17, 1949. They have three children: David, Sharon and Steve; seven grandchildren, Heather, Joshua, Jacob, Christina, Jennifer, Kimberly and Caleb; and Akehurst is a great-grandfather to Kayla, Brendan, Kendra, Marissa and Mason.
“I have lived here all of my life,” he said referring to why he calls Granby home. “I have lived here and enjoyed it.”
