LU grad receives recognition for service
Issue date: 5/7/08 Section: News
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Derrick also holds the distinction of being the first Peace Corps Volunteer from the State of Oklahoma. He served in Brazil in 1962 and 1963 on an agricultural project focusing on irrigation and tomato production. Although he was unable to complete Peace Corps service when he was drafted during the Vietnam War, Derrick strongly believes in voluntary service and helping others.
After serving four years in the US Navy, George worked as a manager for several companies before returning to school to become a certified GED teacher. He then taught GED prep classes with the Muskogee School System until his retirement in 2003.
For 15 years, Derrick served as a volunteer van driver for the Disabled American Veterans, driving veterans from Muskogee to doctor's or hospital appointments at the VA Hospital in Oklahoma City. He would leave the Muskogee VA at 7 a.m., sometimes pick up other passengers along the way, and return after 5 p.m. In 2007, he was recognized by the VA for driving 1,750 hours.
George has a strong desire to encourage young people and to help them succeed. Realizing that students are usually rewarded as high school seniors, he saw a need to encourage younger students. At a church he attended, he was instrumental in establishing an incentive program that gave savings bonds to students in grades six through 12 for their academic achievement and conduct. To help the students succeed, he also provided free tutoring at the church on Saturday mornings.
During summer 2007, he assisted the youth of his church with the "Paint the Town" project. The project was a way for the church to help the community while helping the church's young people understand the importance of helping others. He worked with one team of youth for a week to scrape and paint one house using donated paint, while other teams painted the other houses.
Derrick also has a soft spot for the elderly. For the past five years he has brought ice cream bars as treats to the residents and staff of Park Boulevard Nursing home each month. On Thursday mornings, he takes the trash to the curb for several elderly people and in the evening he returns their trash carts to their houses.
Derrick also works in many other ways with other young people and the elderly and has a knack for finding ways to help people.
He says that he does the things he does because he truly cares about people and he sees their needs.
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