I met Elton Reece on only my fourth day of work at the Times-Journal and he instantly became a friend. Over the next 20 months, I probably interviewed him for over 50 stories or more.

He was a walking, talking encyclopedia of Selma knowledge and he knew everybody.

The first summer I worked here he told me to meet him at Valley Grande Golf Course for an interview, but I didn’t hear that he said Valley Grande. Still new to Selma, I went to Selma Country Club — the only course I knew of at the time — and we couldn’t find one another.

Finally, we figured out I was at the wrong place.

I quickly made the 15-minute drive to Valley Grande, trying to think of a way to apologize for my mistake.I realized all I could do was say “sorry” and tell him I didn’t mean to waste his time. I never got the chance. When I arrived, I was instantly put at ease. Relaxed on the deck, Reece welcomed me with a smile when I walked up. I still tried to say sorry, but he wouldn’t hear any of it.

That’s just the kind of guy he was.

I interviewed him for a Selma The Magazine story last year and still have the recording. He talked about his entire life from playing ball as a boy in rural Tuscaloosa County to his role as director of the parks and recreation department in Selma. I’m glad I got to do that story and got to better know the man that influenced thousands of lives in Dallas County.

There will never be another Elton Reece in Selma and I strongly encourage city officials to honor him. There’s a ceremony planned in conjuction with opening day for baseball and softball and that’s a great place to start, but I think something else should be done as well. Whatever that something is should endure the passing of time.

Future generations need to see the name “Elton Reece” on a facility, like the Dallas County Sportsplex, so they know the impact he had on Selma.

He was everything we want those in Selma to stand for. He was a hard-working man who would’ve given the shirt off his back to a total stranger. Plus, he was everybody’s friend.

Reece did so much for this community — from every kid that played sports over the last four decades, to those he went to church with, to those at his hunting club. His touch was everywhere.

He gave and he gave and gave. It’s time for Selma to give back.