Greenfield benefits from George Waddell family generosity
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To the editor:
Recently I learned of the generous gifts George M. Waddell, through his estate, made to the people of Greenfield, his beloved hometown. As I have been reflecting upon this, and it was unexpected, perhaps, but to those who knew him, it was just an extension of what he had been giving to others throughout his life.
I became acquainted with George and his brother Dean "Bud" Waddell upon my return to Greenfield, having been employed to teach and coach
at McClain High School, my alma mater. George and "Bud" Waddell were staunch members of the First United Methodist Church in Greenfield.
Upon our arrival, Evelyn, my wife, and I, with our daughter, Paula, attended the same church. The Waddell "boys" sang in the church choir. I joined the choir, and as they say, the rest is history.
During the ensuing years, I have become aware of the contributions made to the Greenfield community, not only by George, but by the Waddell family.
The Waddell Company, originally named the John M. Waddell Company after its founder began its operation in 1887, continues today as a Division of Ghent Manufacturing, Inc. John M. Waddell was born and raised in Greenfield and was community-minded, a characteristic of the company to this day.
One of John's sons, Dean T. Waddell, George and "Bud"'s father, assumed control of the business in 1935 with the "boys" taking over that responsibility upon the death of their father in 1976.
Throughout its long history, The Waddell Company has continued to demonstrate its commitment to the Greenfield community. It has provided a livelihood for countless hundreds of Greenfield families.
From its beginning in 1887 when its product line was coffee mills, cigar boxes, rat traps, etc., to today where the company is known worldwide for its display cases, it has remained true to its original intent.
In 1986, the Waddell Company was sold to a like-minded family owned business, Ghent Manufacturing, Inc., who expressed its goal of maintaining Waddell's reputation for craftsmanship, quality, and value.
Throughout his life, George Waddell demonstrated a commitment to his community. Whether it was his activities in his business, his church, the Rotary Club, the Hospital Board, the Historical society – in anything he did, a primary objective was to do what he could to make Greenfield and the surrounding community a better place. In talking with Sandra McNeil, a mutual friend who served with George for many years on the hospital board, she indicated that in her mind, George
Waddell's whole being was Greenfield and he felt a responsibility in that regard.
As Sandra and I talked, such terms as "complete selflessness," "humility," "thrift," self-discipline," and "leadership" came to mind in describing George. A term that comes to my mind as I remember him is "quiet dignity."
One of the recipients of George's generosity is the Greenfield Historical Society. His association with the society goes back to its very beginning in 1949 when it was formed to facilitate planning for the Greenfield Sesquicentennial celebration. The original planners, Dean T. Waddell (George's father), F.R. Harris, Glen "Pat" Shrock, and Frank Depoy discovered they needed a non-profit organization to be involved, so the Historical Society of Greenfield, Ohio, Inc. was
formed on March 26, 1949. The original board was: Dean T. Waddell, President; George M. Waddell, Vice President; Mrs. J. Arnold Duncan,
Secretary; Leroy J. Bergen, Treasurer; J. Wesley Kelley, Member; and Mrs. William Lynch, Member.
Upon the death of his father, George became the president of the "Society" and served in that capacity for many years and remained active in its affairs throughout his life. George, through his estate, will continue to serve the "Society" for years to come.
We have all heard the expression he is "one of a kind." George Waddell was certainly that. Not only is Greenfield a better place because of George, but anyone who was fortunate enough to know him is better for the experience. I count myself as one of those lucky ones.
Thanks, George!
Sincerely,
Paul E. Orr, a past president
Greenfield Historical Society
To the editor:
Recently, I learned of the generous gifts George M. Waddell, through his estate, made to the people of Greenfield, his beloved hometown. As I have been reflecting upon this, and it was unexpected, perhaps, but to those who knew him, it was just an extension of what he had been giving to others throughout his life.
I became acquainted with George and his brother Dean "Bud" Waddell upon my return to Greenfield, having been employed to teach and coach
at McClain High School, my alma mater. George and "Bud" Waddell were staunch members of the First United Methodist Church in Greenfield.
Upon our arrival, Evelyn, my wife, and I, with our daughter, Paula, attended the same church. The Waddell "boys" sang in the church choir. I joined the choir, and as they say, the rest is history.
During the ensuing years, I have become aware of the contributions made to the Greenfield community, not only by George, but by the Waddell family.
The Waddell Company, originally named the John M. Waddell Company after its founder began its operation in 1887, continues today as a Division of Ghent Manufacturing, Inc. John M. Waddell was born and raised in Greenfield and was community-minded, a characteristic of the company to this day.
One of John's sons, Dean T. Waddell, George and "Bud"'s father, assumed control of the business in 1935 with the "boys" taking over that responsibility upon the death of their father in 1976.
Throughout its long history, The Waddell Company has continued to demonstrate its commitment to the Greenfield community. It has provided a livelihood for countless hundreds of Greenfield families.
From its beginning in 1887 when its product line was coffee mills, cigar boxes, rat traps, etc., to today where the company is known worldwide for its display cases, it has remained true to its original intent.
In 1986, the Waddell Company was sold to a like-minded family owned business, Ghent Manufacturing, Inc., who expressed its goal of maintaining Waddell's reputation for craftsmanship, quality, and value.
Throughout his life, George Waddell demonstrated a commitment to his community. Whether it was his activities in his business, his church, the Rotary Club, the Hospital Board, the Historical society – in anything he did, a primary objective was to do what he could to make Greenfield and the surrounding community a better place. In talking with Sandra McNeil, a mutual friend who served with George for many years on the hospital board, she indicated that in her mind, George
Waddell's whole being was Greenfield and he felt a responsibility in that regard.
As Sandra and I talked, such terms as "complete selflessness," "humility," "thrift," self-discipline," and "leadership" came to mind in describing George. A term that comes to my mind as I remember him is "quiet dignity."
One of the recipients of George's generosity is the Greenfield Historical Society. His association with the society goes back to its very beginning in 1949 when it was formed to facilitate planning for the Greenfield Sesquicentennial celebration. The original planners, Dean T. Waddell (George's father), F.R. Harris, Glen "Pat" Shrock, and Frank Depoy discovered they needed a non-profit organization to be involved, so the Historical Society of Greenfield, Ohio, Inc. was
formed on March 26, 1949. The original board was: Dean T. Waddell, President; George M. Waddell, Vice President; Mrs. J. Arnold Duncan, Secretary; Leroy J. Bergen, Treasurer; J. Wesley Kelley, Member; and Mrs. William Lynch, Member.
Upon the death of his father, George became the president of the "Society" and served in that capacity for many years and remained active in its affairs throughout his life. George, through his estate, will continue to serve the "Society" for years to come.
We have all heard the expression he is "one of a kind." George Waddell was certainly that. Not only is Greenfield a better place because of George, but anyone who was fortunate enough to know him is better for the experience. I count myself as one of those lucky ones.
Thanks, George!
Sincerely,
Paul E. Orr, a past president
Greenfield Historical Society
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