By JIM FUHRMEISTER / Guest Columnist

Larry Dillard has attended his last Shelby County Commission meeting as a commissioner. I attended his going away reception and was happy to see Larry’s pride as his fellow commissioners and others reflected on his many years of service to Shelby County. Larry has represented his commission district and all of the people of our county well.

I first met Larry when I came to Shelby County as an assistant district attorney in 1980. We have worked together on many projects over the years and I am proud to call Larry a friend.

He is the first to admit that he “married up” and that his wonderful wife Marti is truly his better half. I have watched with admiration as Larry and Marti have shared life’s joys and challenges over the years; they are devoted to each other and are a shining example of a great marriage.

In addition to being devoted to each other, they are devoted to the people of Shelby County and they each leave a lasting legacy of making our county better through their public service.

I do not believe for a minute that the mere fact that Larry is no longer on the commission means the end of their service to their community. Larry and Marti love this county too much to suddenly “retire” from public service.

Sooner or later all of us pass the torch to those coming along behind us. After we have devoted so much of ourselves to serving our citizens, we hope that the new servants will keep moving our county forward with the integrity and devotion that has brought us this far.

I am confident that the new commissioner for District 6, Mike Vest, will continue the great service that Larry has given to his district and I look forward to working with Mike in the years to come.

Jim Fuhrmeister is the Shelby County probate judge.