Lion of the Week
Dan Looney
[Back}
I was born Aug 23, 1947, in Pikeville, KY to Charles and Naomi Looney. As the first grandchild
on both sides of the family, I had it pretty good! My very early years were spent on Ferrell's
Creek, near Elkhorn City, KY. A bolder rolling down the hillside destroyed the first two-room
house I lived in. We moved into a similar house across the creek from my other grandparents
while my Father attended vocational school in Paintsville. This is where we made home after his
graduation in electronics and a career in TV repair. My parents later opened a franchised Dairy
Cheer restaurant (home of the Smashburger), ultimately having interest in three area Dairy
Cheers. I loved making my own blueberry milkshakes! I graduated from Paintsville HS where I
was editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, The Echo, and active in National Thespian Society,
where I brought home the gold in state competition.
I attended Prestonsburg Community College for two years and was student council president. I
worked for the Paintsville Herald newspaper and as bellboy and desk clerk at the Jenny Wiley
State Park lodge for three summers. For the next three years, I attended the University of
Kentucky pursuing several different majors, ultimately getting a BS in Commerce. I was
member of Theta Chi fraternity. There I met my future wife Carol Gowen whose parents lived in
Evansville, IN at the time. We married right after graduation and honeymooned at Cumberland
Lake State Park (KY).
Since I was high on the draft list and not really desiring to carry a weapon in the Army, I opted to join the Air Force and become a pilot, attending flight school at Laredo, TX. From there I went to Sacramento, CA flying T-29s, a medium twin-engine prop used to train navigators. Later I cross-trained into the KC-135, a Boeing 707 derivative used for air refueling, and was assigned to Strategic Air Command and stationed at Merced, CA; Blytheville, AR; Guam; and Peru, IN. Upgrading to instructor pilot, I was fortunate enough to fly to a great many exotic locations around the world. I especially enjoyed many visits to Australia and Panama but also got to see Spain, Greenland, Iceland, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Alaska and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. My last positions were as Joint Plans Officer for US Atlantic Command and instructor at the Armed Forces Staff College, both in Norfolk, VA. I retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1993 with 23 years of service. While in Arkansas, I completed my Masters degree in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas.
While in Norfolk, my wife completed a three-year Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology. After my retirement we decided to move to Franklin, TN where she could begin supporting me and be close to her sister in Brentwood and mother in southern KY. Carol has worked in rehab centers and done home health care but has been working within the school system in Nashville for eight years with pre-K classes. Franklin also became home for our three children after living six years in Virginia Beach, VA..
Emily (30), born in Arkansas, graduated from Page HS, attended Savannah School of Art and Design (GA) and graduated from MTSU with a BS in Art Education. She recently started teaching elementary school art in Shelbyville. Melissa (28), also born in Arkansas, graduated from Franklin HS. She received a BS in Interdisciplinary Communications from MTSU. Currently working in Nashville in data processing, she is preparing to get a Masters degree in School Psychology.
Brian (22), born in Indiana, graduated from Franklin HS, attended MTSU and St Louis University and recently graduated from Earlham College, Richmond, IN with a BS in English. He is considering a Japanese exchange program for teaching English or obtaining a Masters degree in Education. He lives in Nashville and is an Eagle Scout.
Robert Herbert introduced me to the Lions Club in 1994. My first officer position was Tail Twister. I quickly got involved with sight services and initiated the close and beneficial relationship with Cool Springs LensCrafters that continues. Terry Butler and I consolidated many diverse Lions programs under the White Cane Committee. Our efforts brought the club closer to the Ed Lindsey Industries for the Blind and other Lions sponsored organizations. In 2000 I was Club President following Jane Forbes. My motto was "Let's help our community and have fun doing it." The next year I served as Zone E Chairman for the District. Following that I was membership chairman and was thrilled with the club support in bringing in nine new members. Fortunately I was chosen as a Melvin Jones Fellow, but I am most proud of my "Lion of the Year" plaque!
The Lions Club has been good for me. I love the fellowship and camaraderie. There are so many things that the club does for the community and especially for those with sight problems. Being part of that effort makes me proud.
My hobbies and interests are many. My wife and I enjoy traveling and go overseas at least once each year. Looks like Athens, Greece will be our next destination. I like to work with old furniture and bring it back to life. Currently, there are almost 40 neat old chairs hanging in my workshop waiting for some tender loving care. Recently, I was able to refurbish an old walnut dresser from the mid-1800s and put it in our guest bedroom. I especially am attracted to old rocking chairs and have several in the house. In the early 2000s I had a Guardsman WoodPro furniture repair franchise but it became "work" after a couple of years and I quit. I now only do woodwork for the family. For the past three years I have worked with Tom Kiermaier doing special events. I love to get outdoors and work with people.
My wife and I moved to Wartrace back in May. Carol found the house of her dreams. The old
Victorian was remodeled back in 1999 and was used as a bed and breakfast. It has all new
amenities but retains its historic character. We have most of the inside completed but still need
to have the outside painted (yellow) and landscaped. Next spring, I guess!
What can we do to make the club better? The first thing is to get every member involved with one or more committees. Seeing firsthand the good that is accomplished and knowing that you personally played a part makes you want to do even more. Secondly, the club needs to establish long-term goals so that members and potential sponsors see what you are working toward. There is over $26,000 in the Charities account. What are we going to do with it? Why are we trying to earn more money at the Lions Pride Breakfast or next year's FOT4? Having a definite plan is motivational to the membership and the community. Goals can bring in more members, more donations and provide positive recognition for the Club's community service efforts.
[Back}
I attended Prestonsburg Community College for two years and was student council president. I
worked for the Paintsville Herald newspaper and as bellboy and desk clerk at the Jenny Wiley
State Park lodge for three summers. For the next three years, I attended the University of
Kentucky pursuing several different majors, ultimately getting a BS in Commerce. I was
member of Theta Chi fraternity. There I met my future wife Carol Gowen whose parents lived in
Evansville, IN at the time. We married right after graduation and honeymooned at Cumberland
Lake State Park (KY). Since I was high on the draft list and not really desiring to carry a weapon in the Army, I opted to join the Air Force and become a pilot, attending flight school at Laredo, TX. From there I went to Sacramento, CA flying T-29s, a medium twin-engine prop used to train navigators. Later I cross-trained into the KC-135, a Boeing 707 derivative used for air refueling, and was assigned to Strategic Air Command and stationed at Merced, CA; Blytheville, AR; Guam; and Peru, IN. Upgrading to instructor pilot, I was fortunate enough to fly to a great many exotic locations around the world. I especially enjoyed many visits to Australia and Panama but also got to see Spain, Greenland, Iceland, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Alaska and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. My last positions were as Joint Plans Officer for US Atlantic Command and instructor at the Armed Forces Staff College, both in Norfolk, VA. I retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1993 with 23 years of service. While in Arkansas, I completed my Masters degree in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas.
While in Norfolk, my wife completed a three-year Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology. After my retirement we decided to move to Franklin, TN where she could begin supporting me and be close to her sister in Brentwood and mother in southern KY. Carol has worked in rehab centers and done home health care but has been working within the school system in Nashville for eight years with pre-K classes. Franklin also became home for our three children after living six years in Virginia Beach, VA..
Emily (30), born in Arkansas, graduated from Page HS, attended Savannah School of Art and Design (GA) and graduated from MTSU with a BS in Art Education. She recently started teaching elementary school art in Shelbyville. Melissa (28), also born in Arkansas, graduated from Franklin HS. She received a BS in Interdisciplinary Communications from MTSU. Currently working in Nashville in data processing, she is preparing to get a Masters degree in School Psychology.
Brian (22), born in Indiana, graduated from Franklin HS, attended MTSU and St Louis University and recently graduated from Earlham College, Richmond, IN with a BS in English. He is considering a Japanese exchange program for teaching English or obtaining a Masters degree in Education. He lives in Nashville and is an Eagle Scout.
Robert Herbert introduced me to the Lions Club in 1994. My first officer position was Tail Twister. I quickly got involved with sight services and initiated the close and beneficial relationship with Cool Springs LensCrafters that continues. Terry Butler and I consolidated many diverse Lions programs under the White Cane Committee. Our efforts brought the club closer to the Ed Lindsey Industries for the Blind and other Lions sponsored organizations. In 2000 I was Club President following Jane Forbes. My motto was "Let's help our community and have fun doing it." The next year I served as Zone E Chairman for the District. Following that I was membership chairman and was thrilled with the club support in bringing in nine new members. Fortunately I was chosen as a Melvin Jones Fellow, but I am most proud of my "Lion of the Year" plaque!
The Lions Club has been good for me. I love the fellowship and camaraderie. There are so many things that the club does for the community and especially for those with sight problems. Being part of that effort makes me proud.
My hobbies and interests are many. My wife and I enjoy traveling and go overseas at least once each year. Looks like Athens, Greece will be our next destination. I like to work with old furniture and bring it back to life. Currently, there are almost 40 neat old chairs hanging in my workshop waiting for some tender loving care. Recently, I was able to refurbish an old walnut dresser from the mid-1800s and put it in our guest bedroom. I especially am attracted to old rocking chairs and have several in the house. In the early 2000s I had a Guardsman WoodPro furniture repair franchise but it became "work" after a couple of years and I quit. I now only do woodwork for the family. For the past three years I have worked with Tom Kiermaier doing special events. I love to get outdoors and work with people.
My wife and I moved to Wartrace back in May. Carol found the house of her dreams. The old
Victorian was remodeled back in 1999 and was used as a bed and breakfast. It has all new
amenities but retains its historic character. We have most of the inside completed but still need
to have the outside painted (yellow) and landscaped. Next spring, I guess! What can we do to make the club better? The first thing is to get every member involved with one or more committees. Seeing firsthand the good that is accomplished and knowing that you personally played a part makes you want to do even more. Secondly, the club needs to establish long-term goals so that members and potential sponsors see what you are working toward. There is over $26,000 in the Charities account. What are we going to do with it? Why are we trying to earn more money at the Lions Pride Breakfast or next year's FOT4? Having a definite plan is motivational to the membership and the community. Goals can bring in more members, more donations and provide positive recognition for the Club's community service efforts.
[Back}