Barnesville Area Education Foundation Announces 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees
PRESS RELEASE
By Jay Phillips, Barnesville Area Education Foundation
The Barnesville Area Education Foundation (BAEF) provides funds for local education systems and students that might not otherwise be available through public funding. Each year the foundation evaluates and votes on worthy nominations for the Barnesville Area Education Foundation Hall Of Fame.
This year the Hall Of Fame inductees are Richard Dale Gibson, 1958 graduate, and Tony Householder, 1970 graduate.
Dick Gibson
Dick Gibson was part of a very successful basketball program in high school. He played the sport for four years and his team was the highest scoring team in the OVAC his senior year. He also participated in football for two years, was on the Hi-Y cabinet, a FFA member, office assistant, senior scholarship awardee and a Student Council officer.
After graduation, he played with a very successful amateur basketball team that won many tournaments throughout the Ohio Valley. The team consisted of some of the most significant high school and amateur players from the 1950’s.
Gibson served in the U.S. Navy from 1958-1962 including one year on Midway Island and two years on the USS Chickasaw. During that time, his and his All-Star Basketball Team members were Navy Champions.
After his Navy service, he submitted an USG application and was accepted into the Washington D. C. Communications/Electronics School.
From 1963-1995, he had a distinguished career with various U.S. Government management teams of diplomatic and intelligence agencies around the world.
His responsibilities involved maintaining operations and/or working within 89 countries during his tenure. His assignments were important and sometimes in dangerous locations.
From 1963-1965, Dick was sent to Cyprus. Because of the war in Cyprus, he was transferred to Tehran and finishing that assignment in 1965. A move to Islamabad was cancelled when the State Department decided not to move the embassy. From 1966-68 he served at Clark Air Force base in the Philippines with support for Far East destinations.
He also completed assignments in Kabul, Afghanistan (68-70), Nicosia, Cyprus (71-73), Tripoli, Libya (74-76). He was an instructor in Washington D.C. (76-77) and assigned to London, England (77-80) with responsibilities for North Africa and Europe.
He received the outstanding recruiter designation for various agencies in the U.S. (81-83), served in Monrovia, Liberia (83-85) as COO in charge of Asian Embassies and was assigned as Deputy Chief of Personnel Administration Division at three locations in Washington D. C. (86-88).
Gibson was the chosen and appointed to the prestigious Foreign Service Seminar, Washington D.C. (89). Thereafter, he was appointed as Chief Operations Worldwide with supervision for all overseas facilities. He was then assigned as the Chief of Asian activity from India thru Fiji (92-95) before returning to Washington where he retired in 1995.
He retired as a SIS3 (GS17) equivalent to a military rank of a three-star general.
Gibson was manager of his area tennis club in his Fairfax, Virginia neighborhood. He was an excellent tennis player and has played many sets with former Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci and other well-known, distinguished political/diplomatic and government personnel. He coached little league baseball teams for six years and also taught youth basketball.
Gibson’s time in Barnesville was extremely important in his growth and development as a person. Coach Schoeppner was an important influence as basketball coach and business class instructor. Winifred Deaver taught English and he loved and respected the support she provided. Denver Kaiser was recognized as a positive influence in vocational agriculture.
Gibson’s classmates along with friends from his government service, recognize his intelligence and leadership skills developed through many years of service. They also acknowledge his contributions as a person, as an athlete and they recognize his love for our country.
His father was Howard Gibson, owner/manager of Gibson Feed and Supply. His mother was Rosalie Gibson, a floor manager at the G C Murphy store. They were also owners of a 207-acre farm located west of town. His parents are both deceased. A sister, Sylvia, a 1953 BHS graduate a former resident of Massillon, is also deceased.
Gibson currently resides in Charlotte, N.C. Sadly, his wife Julie recently passed away. He has two daughters, Lori A. Gibson of Warrenton, VA, and Kimberly B. Pollock of Waxhaw, N.C. A son, Richard D. Gibson, Jr. lives in Northern VA.
Tony Householder
Tony Householder is a 1970 graduate of BHS. In high school Tony played football four years and was team captain his senior year. He played basketball for two years. He was in the Hi-Y, participated in wrestling and track, and was a three-year member of Varsity B.
Householder owned and managed Householders Furniture Store in Barnesville for many years and another furniture store in Columbus. Householder also worked and retired from the Murray Energy Company.
Householder came up with an idea to raise funds for the Shamrock Athletic Booster Club over 40 years ago. The idea was to run a weekly Barnesville bingo games night fundraiser Since its incepton, Tony has been a dedicated supporter of this project.
Significant funds have been raised through the bingo project resulting in major improvements to the football stadium.
New press boxes were built on both the home and visitor sides of Shamrock Stadium. A home team locker room was also constructed, now the visiting team locker room.
Equipment supporting the football chain gang was purchased and upgraded including improved dial and down capabilities.
Although Householder’s support for the football program has been great, his support for all Barnesville athletic programs is undeniable.
Householder and the Boosters Club provided support for an all-weather track that was installed at the high school. Further funding provided upgrades. To help maintain the track, a lawn mower was provided to keep the infield properly mowed.
New uniforms were provided for many various athletic teams over the years as well.
He implemented an annual steak fry for Shamrock athletes that became a tradition enjoyed by everyone.
An advocate for Barnesville youth, Householder thoroughly enjoyed coaching both of his sons and their peers in flag football. He also coached many youth baseball teams.
Householder continues to live in the Barnesville community with his wife of 54 years, Debbie. Together they proudly raised their three children who were active in Barnesville sports, cheerleading, clubs and activities during their school years. Sons, Matthew and Eric reside in Barnesville while daughter, Jamie and her husband, Eben, live in Powell, Ohio. He has two grandchildren, Maddox and Quinn of Powell that he adores and enjoys watching them participate in in their favorite sports and activities.
He is the son of the late Ira “Doc” Householder. He learned his volunteer mentality from “Doc” who over many years was a valued supporter of many projects in the Barnesville community including the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival. His brother Tom (Valerie) is also a resident of Barnesville and a constant source of support.
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The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place during the Alumni Banquet on July 11th. With construction to the front high school entrance parking planned for the summer months, school officials plan to move the banquet to an alternate location of the nearby Barnesville Middle School at 970 Shamrock Drive.
Please support the alumni banquet with your attendance. Social hour will begin at 5 p.m. with dinner served at 6 p.m.
The cost for the banquet is $20 per person. Send payment for reservations to Rita Hall, 121 Pine Lane, Barnesville Ohio 43713. Rita’s phone numbers are: 614-286-8527 or 740-425-3671. Payment must be submitted prior to July 1st.
Information relating to the Barnesville Area Education Foundation including donations and membership is posted on the organization website at baefoundation.com.
(Barnesville Area Education Foundation press release)
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