AMBOY — The Amboy Lions Club has chosen one of their own as Grand Marshal for the 2017 Depot Days Parade. 

Cecil Harrison has been an active Amboy Lion for the past 50 years. During that time, he has held numerous club offices. He has chaired many club events and projects and has been very active in fund raising events. He has always been willing to lend a hand in any club projects or community activities. Harrison earned the Melvin Jones Award. This award is named for Jones who founded Lions Club International in 1917 and is presented to members worldwide for exemplary humanitarian service. For the past 25 years he has helped organize, line-up, and select the grand marshals for the Depot Days Parade, so it is only fitting that he is being honored to lead this year’s parade.

Cecil and his wife, Shirley Fleetwood, were high school sweethearts and graduated from Amboy High School in 1953. After graduation, he enlisted in the army and served from 1955-1957.  Upon discharge from the army, he and Shirley were married and have farmed in the Amboy area their whole lives. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They are the proud parents of six children: Jan (Everett) Fenwick, Barb Harrison, Curtis (Linda) Harrison, John (Susan) Harrison, Lisa (Brad) Goy, Brad Harrison, and have 10 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Cecil is an active member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Amboy, and has served on numerous community boards and committees through the years. He and Shirley are avid supporters of the area boys and girls high school teams. The club is honored to have Cecil Harrison serve as the 2017 Depot Days Parade Grand Marshal.