Lion of the Year

Lion of the Year - A Legacy in our Community

The Lion of the Year Award celebrates one of our own members who not only goes above and beyond as a Lion but is involved in the Grand Junction Community and beyond. The Past Lions of the Year choose the next recipient. The first one was awarded to Silmon Smith.

In 1956, the Lioness of the Year Award was started to celebrate a wife who supported her spouse in his Lionism and also contributed to the community. The Lioness of the Year award was first given to Silmon Smith’s wife, Lina Smith.

Past Recipients

Denny Granum

2025

Denise Green

2021

Karl Clemons

2017

Robert Vaniderstine

2013

Gregg Palmer

2009

Dr. G. P. Smith

2005

John McKean

2001

Tilman Bishop

1998 - Lion

Ken Nesbitt

1996 - Lion

Larry Jones

1994 - Lion

Keith Mumby

1992 - Lion

Dr. Pat Moran

1990 - Lion

Ernest Beroni

1988 - Lion

Mancel Page

1986 - Lion

AC Corder

1984 - Lion

Jim Eisenhauer

1982 - Lion

Bill Beckwith

1980 - Lion

Earl Ericson

1978 - Lion

David Flatt

1976 - Lion

Dale Hollingsworth

1974 - Lion

William Ela

1972 - Lion

James Westbrook

1970 - Lion

Don Sparn

1968 - Lion

Ralph Stocker

1966 - Lion

Dr. CS Lumley

1964 - Lion

DS Dykstra

1962 - Lion

Rudy Susman

1960 - Lion

Clint Smith

1958 - Lion

Jim Gormley

1956 - Lion

Al Look

1952 - Lion

Shawna Grieger

2024

Clay Tufly

2020

Brad McCloud

2016

Harry Griff

2012

Bill Rohr

2008

Dr. Paul Jones

2004

Bill Petty

2000

Joanie Griff

1997 - Lioness

Pat Bishop

1995 - Lioness

Jean Sewell

1993 - Lioness

Marilyn Jones

1991 - Lioness

Shirely Jiacoletti

1989 - Lioness

Eulalah Hooker

1987 - Lioness

Jean Mumby

1985 - Lioness

Diane Reimer

1983 - Lioness

Barbara Scott

1981 - Lioness

Marilyn Conn

1979 - Lioness

Eleanor Palmer

1977 - Lioness

Joan Wendland

1975 - Lioness

Maxine Albers

1973 - Lioness

Shirley Ela

1971 - Lioness

Ruth Moss

1969 - Lioness

Lina May Biggs

1967 - Lioness

Mildred Prescott

1965 - Lioness

Mary Manuel

1963 - Lioness

Jewell Willsea

1961 - Lioness

Frieda Hume

1959 - Lioness

Grace Smith

1957 - Lioness

Rex Howell

1955 - Lion

Bert Benge

1951 - Lion

James Roland

2023

Jim Spehar

2019

Joe O’Connor

2015

Jamie Hamilton

2011

Doug Simons

2007

Bill Killgore

2003

Dr. Ed Ellinwood

1999

Alan Workman

1997 - Lion

Leslie Gerlach

1995 - Lion

Brian Mahoney

1993 - Lion

Larry Feather

1991 - Lion

James Cadez

1989 - Lion

Laird Smith

1987 - Lion

William Sullivan

1985 - Lion

Frank Hockensmith

1983 - Lion

Dr. Hurst Otto

1981 - Lion

Ted Albers

1979 - Lion

John Koiter

1977 - Lion

Bob Collins

1975 - Lion

Ray Meacham

1973 - Lion

Henry Faussone

1971 - Lion

Clinton Biggs

1969 - Lion

Frank Rose

1967 - Lion

Al Cornelison

1965 - Lion

Leland Schmidt

1963 - Lion

JD Serverson

1961 - Lion

RB Williams

1959 - Lion

Chet Enstrom

1957 - Lion

Cecil Walt

1954 - Lion

Dr. EH Munro

1950 - Lion

Ken Brownlee

2022

Dick Fulton

2018

Reford Theobold

2014

Mike Russell

2010

Tom Burke

2006

Dan Griffin

2002

Diana Osborne

1998 - Lioness

Lana Turrou

1996 - Lioness

Janet Comerford

1994 - Lioness

Mary Buss

1992 - Lioness

Karin Cornelison

1990 - Lioness

Diana Smith

1988 - Lioness

JoAnna Feather

1986 - Lioness

Audrey DeWeese

1984 - Lioness

Gladys Miller

1982 - Lioness

Nancy Westbrook

1980 - Lioness

Eleanor Hoefner

1978 - Lioness

Jackie Moran

1976 - Lioness

Anna S. Page

1974 - Lioness

Fran Ellinwood

1972 - Lioness

Lena Ann Elliot

1970 - Lioness

Bernice Hirschman

1968 - Lioness

Fanny Susman

1966 - Lioness

Vernie Enstrom

1964 - Lioness

Barbara Hyde

1962 - Lioness

Jane Matteroli

1960 - Lioness

Marie Treece

1958 - Lioness

Lina Smith

1956 - Lioness

MN Due

1953 - Lion

Silmon Smith

1949 - Lion