Former commissioner gets civilian honor
Staff Writer
Friday, May 09, 2008
A former Pasquotank County commissioner and longtime member of the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Airport Authority is the latest recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state's highest civilian honor.
Hugh W. Clinkscales, 85, a native of Stafford, Kan., and longtime resident of Weeksville, received the honor Wednesday night at a meeting of the Weeksville Lions Club.
 Brett A. Clark/The Daily Advance |
| Hugh Clinkscales gets a hug from his wife Jean after he was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award - the state's highest civilian honor - during Charter Night at the Weeksville Lions Club Wednesday. |
"I can't think of anyone more deserving, with all his years on the airport authority and as interim manager," said Scott Hinton, manager of the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Regional Airport.
Clinkscales' daughter, Neta Campbell, said her family got state Rep. Bill Owens, D-Pasquotank, to nominate Clinkscales for the award.
She said Pasquotank County commissioner and fellow Lions Club member Bill Trueblood was scheduled to present the award to Clinkscales Wednesday night.
"He's a wonderful man," said Campbell. "I don't just say it because he's my dad."
Three years ago, Clinkscales took over managing the airport when the airport lost its manager. Clinkscales, who had served many years as the Airport Authority's chairman and finance officer, served nine months as interim manager until Hinton was hired in 2005.
The Long Leaf Pine, created in 1965, is among the state's most prestigious awards. It's presented by the governor to those who have a proven record of extraordinary service to their communities and the state.
Previous local winners include Zaneta C. Taylor of Camden, who retired from the state's Sickle Cell Syndrome Program; District Court Judge Grafton Beaman; former Northeastern High School Athletic Director Jerry McGee; Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners Chairman Cecil Perry; Elizabeth City-Pasquotank School Board member William Sterritt; former city mayor and Pasquotank Commissioner Levin Culpepper; former District Court Judge Janice Cole; Perquimans County Commissioner Shirley Wiggins and Weeksville Elementary School Principal Walter "Buck" Jolly.
A Navy veteran of World War II, Clinkscales was longtime operator and retired owner of Clinkscales Upholstery.
He has belonged to City Road Methodist Church and Riverside Baptist Church, having served in various roles, including deacon and Sunday school teacher. He also coached Little League baseball and transported instruments for the Elizabeth City High School Band in his personal van.
His civic involvement includes being a past member of the Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce, a life member of the American Legion, and a member of Lions Club International for the past 57 years. He was also a member of the Elizabeth City Board of Education for nine years and member of the Pasquotank Board of Education for two years. In 1984, he received the Citizen of the Year Award from VFW Post 6060.
He also served on the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners for nine years, and was chairman of the Fun Junktion Committee that created a playground area near the county landfill. He served on the Airport Authority for 13 years.
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Comments
By Lauren Hill
May 13, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
Congrats to Mr. Clinkscale. He is a great man and is very deserving of this award.
I do however want to point out that you don't have to be a top leader of the community to be a recipent of the Long Leaf Pine. The paper's list of past winners list people who have held a office in the local goverment or local schools. The only reason I mention this is Cynthia Owens has also won this award for which she was not on a school board or on a local goverment board. But her name was not mention as a local winner and she too was very deserving of this award for all of her community service work.
By Lauren Hill
May 13, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
Congrats to Mr. Clinkscale. He is a great man and is very deserving of this award.
I do however want to point out that you don't have to be a top leader of the community to be a recipent of the Long Leaf Pine. The paper's list of past winners list people who have held a office in the local goverment or local schools. The only reason I mention this is Cynthia Owens has also won this award for which she was not on a school board or on a local goverment board. But her name was not mention as a local winner and she too was very deserving of this award for all of her community service work.
By Lauren Hill
May 13, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Congrats to Mr. Clinkscale. He is a great man and is very deserving of this award.
I do however want to point out that you don't have to be a top leader of the community to be a recipent of the Long Leaf Pine. The paper's list of past winners list people who have held a office in the local goverment or local schools. The only reason I mention this is Cynthia Owens has also won this award for which she was not on a school board or on a local goverment board. But her name was not mention as a local winner and she too was very deserving of this award for all of her community service work.
By Willard Jones
May 9, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this
An outstanding citizen of Pasquotank County, true & loyal supporter of the Elizabeth City High School Band, always a smile, and enjoyed growing up and being friends of his children. Congrats Mr. Clink .... you're a great guy.
By Allan and Ann McPherson
May 9, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
Uncle Clink...This does not surprise us at all. We always knew you were a good and faithful man. You've never meet a stranger and I thank you for being a good friend to daddy. Congratulations on a lifetime of achievements. We love you, Ann & Allan
By Tommy Perkins
May 9, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
Congratulations Clink and Jean!
Mr. C is truly one of the finest people I have known. The entire community has benefited immensely from his presence and lifetime of service.
By Jeffery Russell
May 8, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
Way to go, Clink! He's my neighbor and good friend, wonderful man to have in our community and we're grateful to have him. He inspires me to walk more- and I still can't keep up with him. Thanks for your hard work and congratulations!
By Bessie Reid Ward
May 8, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
Congratulation's !!Proud of our home "Folk's" "Good Job"!!!
From Bessie Reid Ward,
Mary & Alonzo Reid's daughter
Both were long time member's of the Lion's Club & the Ladies Auxilary before their passing in '83 and 2003 .
By Bessie Reid Ward
May 8, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
Congratulation's !!Proud of our home "Folk's" "Good Job"!!!
From Bessie Reid Ward,
Mary & Alonzo Reid's daughter
Both were long time member's of the Lion's Club & the Ladies Auxilary before their passing in '83 and 2003 .
By Sue Culpeppper
May 8, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this
Thank you for the article , he is one of the most compationate men I know and has a love for his community, his church and his family. He is my dad, there is none like him.
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