Category: In Memoriam

Past International Director Dr. Earl Dotson died on September 3, 2020, at the age of 95.  A member of the Buckingham County Lions Club since 1961, he served as International Director from 1984 to 1986.  He held many offices and served as a Vice President of the Lions of Virginia Foundation (LOVF).  LOVF was founded […]

James O’Connor, Past International Director (1984-1986), died on May 23, 2020 in Gurnee, Illinois. He was 85 years old. The late Past Director O’Connor became a Lion in 1959 and was currently a Life Member of the Gurnee Lions Club. Over the years he held several positions at the club, district, and international level, including […]

Kenneth M. Lentfer, Past International Director (1980-1982) OAM, died on Sept. 10, 2020 at the age of 96. The late Past Director Lentfer became a Lion in 1958 and served in many offices with 40 years of perfect attendance. As a life member of his club, he was recognized with numerous awards including the Ambassador […]

Dr. Ashok Mehta, Past International President (2005-2006), passed away on March 17, 2021.  He was 89 years old. The late Past President Mehta became a member of the Bombay Sion Lions Club in 1963. True to his presidential theme, “Passion to Excel,” he immediately began to sponsor new Lion members and continued to for the […]

James O. Frendewey, Past International Director (1983-1985), died on April 7, 2021, at Florence Health Services in Michigan while recuperating from a fall. He was 97 years old. A Lion and member of the Iron Mountain Lions Club since 1960, the late Past Director Frendewey served as club president, zone chairman, district governor and multiple […]

Tom Lehman, Past International Director (1992-1994), died on April 3, 2021. He was 84 years old. A Lion since 1961, and most recently a member of the Bozeman Gallatin Empire Lions Club, the late Past Director Lehman served twice as 100% District Governor. On the international level, he was a member of the Nominations and […]

Pat Ryan, Past International Director (1982-1984) died on April 15, 2021. He was 89 years old. The late Past Director Ryan became a Lion in 1960 and then a member of the Rotorua Host Lions Club in New Zealand in 1975. He held many positions at the club, district, and international level. As District Governor, […]

Stanley Dawson, Past International Director (1992-1994) died in June of 2021. He was 94 years old. A Lion since 1973, he was a member of the Cabarita Beach & Pottsville Beach Lions Club. The late Past Director Dawson served the association at the club, district, and international level. He was the Host Committee Chairman for […]

George Arthur Higgs, Past International Director (1978-1980), of Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia, died on July 7, 2021. He was 96 years old. A Lion since 1961, the late Past Director Higgs served as a 100% district governor, deputy district governor, council chairman, extension chairman, and a district Leo chairman. He also served as multiple district council […]

William A. McKinney, Past International Director (2013-2015) died on Friday, July 9, 2021 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Ill. He was 73 years old. A Lion since 1973, the late Past Director McKinney was a member of the Marine Lions Club, and an associate member of the St. Jacob Lions Club. He served the association […]

James O. Frendewey, Past International Director (1983-1985), died on April 7, 2021, at Florence Health Services in Michigan while recuperating from a fall. He was 97 years old. A Lion and member of the Iron Mountain Lions Club since 1960, the late Past Director Frendewey served as club president, zone chairman, district governor and multiple […]

Dimitrios “Mimis” Kalantzopoulos, Past International Director (1993-1995), died in October of 2020. The late Past Director Kalantzopoulos became a member of the Athens Lions Club in 1954 and was one of the founders of Lions clubs in Greece. He was twice appointed provisional district governor, and subsequently the first elected district governor of District 117 […]

Jay Patel, Past International Director (1998- 2000), died on August 28, 2021 at the age of 70. The late Past director was a member of the North Charleston Lions Club since 1983 and held many offices within the association, including district governor, and LCIF Coordinator. His energy and enthusiasm resulted in multiple new Lion members […]

Sung-Gyun Choi, Past International Director (2006-2008), died on August 19, 2021.  He was 83 years old. A Lion since 1979, and a member of the Seoul Young-Kwang Lions Club, the late Past Director Choi held many offices within the association, including club president, district governor, and district international understanding and cooperation chair, youth exchange chair, […]

Dr. William E. “Bill” West, Past International Director, (1991-1993), died on Sunday, November 21, 2021. He was 85 years old. A Lion since 1964, the late Past Director West was a member of the Clemson Lions Club in South Carolina. He held many offices within the association, including club president, district governor, and multiple district […]

Past International Director William “Larry” Young died on January 12, 2022. He would have reached his 101st birthday on March 10. Founder and member of the Detroit Renaissance Lions Club since 1973, the late Past Director Young held many positions within the association, including club president, District International Relations Chairperson and District International Understanding & […]

Past International Director Juan José Ceballos died on Jan.19, 2022. The late Past Director Ceballos became a member of the Santiago Central Lions Club in 1968, and then a member of the Santiago Gurabo Lions Club in 2016. He held many positions in the association, including club secretary, treasurer and president, club membership chairperson, zone […]

Herbert S. Watanabe, Past International Director (1993-1995), died on February 21, 2022.  A Lion since 1957, the late Past Director Watanabe was a life member of the Hilo Waiakea Lions Club. He held many positions within the association, including district governor, and served as a SightFirst zone coordinator, district instructor, and trustee of the Hawaii […]

Beverly Stebbins, Past International Director, died on May 6, 2022. She was 81 years old. A Lion since 1992, the late Past Director Stebbins was extremely active, holding multiple offices including Club Membership Chairperson, Club Treasurer, District Centennial Coordinator, District International Relations Chairperson, District International Understanding & Cooperation Chairperson, Cabinet Secretary, Multiple District International Relations […]

Carlos A. Valencia, Past International Director (2011-2013), has died. A member of the Barcelona Lions Club since 2010 and a Lion since 1980, the late Past Director Valencia held many offices within the association, including club president, district governor, multiple times as a district GLT coordinator, LCIF area leader and Guiding Lion. In recognition of […]

Past International Director Homer E. Hill (1989-1991) passed away Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at the age of 92. The late Past Director Hill was an active member of Lions Clubs International for 70 years. He joined as a member of the Genoa Lions Club in 1952, then became a charter member of the Woodlin Lions […]

Curtis L. Orr, Past International Director (1986-1988), died on October 6, 2022, at the age of 95. A Lion since October 1, 1960, and member of the Beaverville Lions Club, then Bradley Lions Club, the late past director served the association on several levels, including as club president, district governor, and president of the Lions […]

Gilles M. Melançon, Past International Director (1997-1999) died on October 21, 2022, after a recent decline in health. The late Past Director Melançon became a member of the Repentigny (La Seigneurie) Lions Club in 1964 and held many offices within the association, including district governor and council chairperson. In 1996, he was the senior vice […]

Past International Director Kenneth Persson (2012-2014) died on Nov. 1, 2022 after a long battle with cancer. A Lion since 1986, the late Past Director Persson was a member of the Sweden “Be the Change” Lions Club. He held many offices within the association, including GMT coordinator and area leader, multiple district LCIF chairperson, and […]

Past International Director Stanley “Stan” Grossman (1999-2001) died on November 10, 2022 at the age of 93.  The late past director became a member of the Springfield Lions Club in New Jersey in 1967 where he had 33 years of perfect attendance. He held many offices, including district governor and council chairman, and served as secretary […]

Past International Director Dr. Massimo Fabio (1999-2001) has died. A Lion since 1973, the late past director served as club president, zone chairman, region chairman, district governor and council chairman. In addition, he held several multiple district level positions, including director of the Center for Lionism Studies and chairman of the International Relations Commission. He […]

Past International Director Billy C. Pearson (1996-1998) died on December 26, 2022 at the age of 88. The late PID Pearson joined the Murfreesboro Lions Club in 1966 and was a life member. He served at many levels including club president, club LCIF Coordinator, District International Relations Coordinator, District Governor. As International Director, he and […]

Past International Director Jerome “Jerry” L. Radlinger (1971-1973) died on December 31, 2022 at the age of 95. He was surrounded by his loving family at home and under the care of Hope Hospice. Past Director Radlinger became a member of the Dorchester Lions Club in 1956. While serving his term as district governor, he […]