Litzelfelner honored at Jackson chamber awards banquet

Jack Litzelfelner has played baseball alongside the likes of legends Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella, began construction for Jackson's golf course and donated land for a 20-acre park in the city.

But the longtime Jackson resident said those accolades are just as special as the prestigious award he received during Friday's Jackson Chamber of Commerce and Jackson Industrial Development Authority banquet.

"Every award I've won is just as special as the last," said the R.A. Fulenwider Meritorious Community Service Award recipient. "What's really good is my immediate family all graduated from Jackson High School, so this award means a lot to me. It's great to be recognized, and I'll leave it at that."

Born in 1928, Litzelfelner began a professional baseball career with the Brooklyn Dodgers minor league organization two years after graduating from Jackson High School. While playing for the Dodgers Litzelfelner roomed with future Hall of Famer Whitey Herzog, who has been a major contributor to a new baseball field in Jackson that the two determined was needed.

Litzelfelner also constructed Bent Creek Golf Course in 1989. Since the course opened in 1990, it has been a major tourist attraction in the city, bringing in thousands of dollars that support civic and charitable organizations.

In addition to his accomplishments in the city's sports scene was his involvement with the development of senior citizen housing projects, residential subdivisions and multifamily apartments, said John Thompson, who presented Litzelfelner with the award.

He also has been involved with a variety of organizations, including First Presbyterian Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Jackson Optimist Club, and has served in the U.S. Army. Litzelfelner also donated land for what is now Litz Park, a place for families to picnic, play sports and much more.

"Given his strong commitment to family and children, it is no surprise that our recipient's vision of the future included a park," Thompson said.

The Fulenwider award was among several awards given Friday night.

Procter & Gamble, a plant that last year celebrated its 40th year of producing such products as diapers and paper towels, was honored as Industry of the Year. The company has a payroll of about $73 million for its nearly 1,200 employees. About 37 percent of its work force lives in Jackson.

"The great employees are the ones who make us successful," said Marc Schoch, baby care plant manager. "We're looking forward to a long future partnering with the local communities like Jackson."

Koehler Bookkeeping and Ross Furniture were both named Small Business of the Year.

"We've been around 30 years, which is an affirmation that we're doing the right thing," said Eddie Ross, owner of Ross Furniture.

Koehler Bookkeeping has grown its business from completing five tax returns 25 years ago to 1,500 in 2009.

"To survive this long you have to have persistence," said owner Beverly Koehler. "There are up times and down times in business, but you have to stay committed."

Meanwhile, Julie Rush, a consultant with Arbonne International, was given the inaugural Ambassador of the Year Award for her commitment to increasing commerce in Jackson.

Jackson Chamber of Commerce director Brian Gerau said the banquet was the most well-attended ever, with about 320 people attending. Last year, 250 attended.

"More and more businesses are involved in the chamber," Gerau said. "The event is also a mini-business expo, with each business sponsoring a table. When you get 300 people in here at once looking at displays it can't do anything but help business in this area."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

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