the Winter 2016
Inaugural Class of 2016
The National Watermelon Association has a long history of remarkable leaders from the watermelon
industry that have contributed their time, energy, and expertise to the Association and its members.
The National Watermelon Association’s Hall of Fame has been created to honor the lives and
contributions of these members, both past and present.
We will inaugurate the Hall of Fame and recognize the first class of inductees during the
National Convention in New Orleans on February 27th, 2016.
The following is the inaugural class of 2016!
B.G. Anderson
Eustis, Florida
Tom Ayoob
Pittsburgh, PA
Bob Bloebaum
Clermont, Florida
Percy Bunch
Murfreesboro, N C
John Campbell
Lakeland, Florida
Nancy Childers
Morven, Georgia
Oren Childers
Cordele, Georgia
John Cooper
Centre, Alabama
F.H. Dicks, Jr.
Barnwell, South Carolina
Bob Deitz
Chicago, Illinois
J. B. Easterlin
Montezuma, Georgia
Gordon Etheridge
Raleigh, North Carolina
Gerald Funderburk
Jefferson, South Carolina
W.W. ‘Coonbottom’ Glenn
Marianna, Florida
Al Harrison
Nogales, Arizona
Vern Highley
Fresno, California
Josephine Hughes
Houston, Texas
Dallas Jones
Clermont, Florida
Bill Knowles
Leesburg, Florida
Harmon R. Lawson
Morven, Georgia
Buddy Leger
Cordele, Georgia
J.D. Lowe, Jr.
Henderson, Texas
Wallace Luffman
Salisbury, Maryland
Ralph Meitin
Zellwood, Florida
Howard Sorrells
Arcadia, Florida
Vincent ‘Jim’ Vitale
Detroit, Michigan
C.C. Winkler
Vincennes, Indiana
Ernie Zaferis
Los Angeles, California