Auburn University’s Football Lettermen Club recently named Statesboro’s Waymon Reese as the first recipient of its “Letterman of the Year” award. The award was presented to his wife, Genelda, at the club’s annual appreciation night earlier this month.
Given posthumously and in recognition of Reese’s 16-year affiliation with the club, the award was originated “to recognize a member of the (Letterman's Club) whose contributions to the club, university and his community have been above and beyond the call of duty,” organizers say. Reese was previously named as an honorary member of the organization several years ago.
“Waymon’s involvement with the AFLC began when he started providing BBQ feasts, specifically the AFLC/Opelika Kiwanis Club’s Celebrity Classic golf tournament fund raising event,” said Tom Bryan, special advisor to the AFLC Executive Board. “Waymon helped the AFLC/Opelika Kiwanis Club raise tens of thousands of dollars by providing a first class BBQ dinner at this annual fund raiser.
"Both Waymon and Genelda, plus a great cooking crew, always made that event stand head and shoulders above other charitable golf events. Throughout the past several years, Waymon has demonstrated above and beyond dedication to the AFLC, its members, to Auburn University, and to his home community in Statesboro.”
“Because of Waymon’s many years of dedication supporting the AFLC through his renowned BBQ feast preparations at various fund raising events and his loyalty to Auburn University, he was selected as an honorary member of the AFLC several years ago,” Bryan said.
Organizers said Reese “was clearly the overwhelming choice” to be the first recipient of the “Letterman of the Year Award.” The award, an eagle mounted trophy and plaque, was accepted by Genelda Reese on behalf of her late husband.
“Waymon’s memory will be further continued by a scholarship established in his memory provided by Genelda Reese. Waymon’s name will be included with other Auburn greats and the memory of the life he lived will continue to be remembered,” said Bryan.
Writing her appreciation to the club, Genelda Reese quoted a friend of her husband’s: “Waymon was a giver, not a taker. His life was filled with making room for others, giving up of his seat, sliding over for strangers and then sliding over even more... It was more than chance. There was, there is, more to it than chance."
Bryan said, “Waymon will be greatly missed. On the fall afternoons with the skies beautiful blue and the orange sun is shining on Jordan Hare Stadium, Waymon C. Reese, Jr. will be remembered as part of the ‘Auburn Family.’”
Given posthumously and in recognition of Reese’s 16-year affiliation with the club, the award was originated “to recognize a member of the (Letterman's Club) whose contributions to the club, university and his community have been above and beyond the call of duty,” organizers say. Reese was previously named as an honorary member of the organization several years ago.
“Waymon’s involvement with the AFLC began when he started providing BBQ feasts, specifically the AFLC/Opelika Kiwanis Club’s Celebrity Classic golf tournament fund raising event,” said Tom Bryan, special advisor to the AFLC Executive Board. “Waymon helped the AFLC/Opelika Kiwanis Club raise tens of thousands of dollars by providing a first class BBQ dinner at this annual fund raiser.
"Both Waymon and Genelda, plus a great cooking crew, always made that event stand head and shoulders above other charitable golf events. Throughout the past several years, Waymon has demonstrated above and beyond dedication to the AFLC, its members, to Auburn University, and to his home community in Statesboro.”
“Because of Waymon’s many years of dedication supporting the AFLC through his renowned BBQ feast preparations at various fund raising events and his loyalty to Auburn University, he was selected as an honorary member of the AFLC several years ago,” Bryan said.
Organizers said Reese “was clearly the overwhelming choice” to be the first recipient of the “Letterman of the Year Award.” The award, an eagle mounted trophy and plaque, was accepted by Genelda Reese on behalf of her late husband.
“Waymon’s memory will be further continued by a scholarship established in his memory provided by Genelda Reese. Waymon’s name will be included with other Auburn greats and the memory of the life he lived will continue to be remembered,” said Bryan.
Writing her appreciation to the club, Genelda Reese quoted a friend of her husband’s: “Waymon was a giver, not a taker. His life was filled with making room for others, giving up of his seat, sliding over for strangers and then sliding over even more... It was more than chance. There was, there is, more to it than chance."
Bryan said, “Waymon will be greatly missed. On the fall afternoons with the skies beautiful blue and the orange sun is shining on Jordan Hare Stadium, Waymon C. Reese, Jr. will be remembered as part of the ‘Auburn Family.’”
