Dr. Phillip Moss probably didn’t expect much when he agreed to join his daughters at the Selma Rotary Club Monday. It was his son-in-law, John Calame, who was set to be recognized as the club’s citizen of the year.

At least, that was what he was told — and believed.

“You got me,” Moss said as club president Beau Boyd announced it was Moss who was named the club’s 2011 Citizen of the Year. “This is truly an honor,” he said, looking over the certificate handed to him and the pin that accompanied the honor.

In a career that covers decades and includes the loving care of generations of Selma residents, it was the full scope of Moss’ works that earned him the title.

“There is probably not a year since I’ve known him and his contributions to this community, that he could not have received the award he’s earned today,” David Pearce said.

Born in January 1922 in Selma, Moss graduated from Selma High School and then attended the University of Alabama. He attended medical school at Tulane and then did his residency at UAB.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and Korea and practiced medicine in Selma for nearly four decades.

Moss is a lover of golf, having served as a past president with the Alabama Golf Association and presided as an official at tournaments over the years.

Following his retirement, he and his late wife, Nell, ran a charter fishing operation in Orange Beach.

In the reading of what Moss called an “impressive portfolio” in joking with Rotarians Monday, he also served on the Selma City School Board for 12 years, including the time when Selma City Schools became fully integrated.

He has served as deacon at First Baptist Church and in the vestuary at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

In addition to his work with Meals on Wheels, Moss also served as a past president with the Selma YMCA and on the board of directors with the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce.

“There is no doubt that Dr. Moss is a great, well-deserved recipient of the Selma Rotary Club Citizen of the Year,” Rotarian Bill Gamble said as he read through Moss’ biography. “Congratulations, Dr. Moss.”

In accepting the honor, Moss was humbled and caught off guard.

“I would like to meet this guy Bill describes,” Moss said, mentioning the resume read off by Gamble. “Pretty impressive portfolio. I don’t know where he got it from.

“The only comment I can make, and I thank all of you sincerely, is a line I heard more than once from experienced speakers, comedians, and that is … it is a real honor to be here at the Kiwanis Club.”

It was that perfect delivery, community and jovial spirit that Boyd said made Moss a unanimous selection.

“We do have a selection committee that brings together names of those they want to nominate, and then they narrow those down,” Boyd said.

“In the end though, Dr. Moss was a unanimous and well-deserved selection.”