Dyersburg City Schools celebrates 2024 Hall of Honor inductees

By WILLIAM NORTHCUTT

Staff reporter

Dyersburg City Schools inducted four alumni to their prestigious Hall of Honor, a tradition started in 2013 which recognizes graduates who have gone on to achieve significant goals and contribute to their communities. This year’s inductees included Dr. Thomas Walker, Dr. Pete Thompson, DHS Coach Tim Strayhorn, and Dyersburg City Schools Director Kim Worley.

Attended by recipients, their friends and family, school instructors and administrators, and school board members, the event was held on Sunday, September 8, at Dyersburg High School (DHS)

The inductees and their accomplishments:

Dr. Thomas Jefferson Walker, Class of 1949

Walker was unable to attend the event but was represented by Ed Eller, who noted that, “Since 1994, U.S. scholarly societies have followed the model of the Florida Entomologists. And although much work remains to be done,” Eller said, “access of scientific knowledge and the benefits it brings to society is far greater than what was previously the case.”

Walker:

Graduated from DHS as valedictorian

Earned bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee (Zoology and Botany) in 1953 Earned master’s from Ohio State University (Entomology) in 1954

Earned Ph.D. from Ohio State University (Entomology) in 1957.

Served as Assistant Professor at the University of Florida (UF) before becoming a full professor, an since 2021, professor emeritus

Known as top expert in calling behavior and evolution of crickets and katydids

Helped establish a 60-acre tract of land as a campus area for teaching nature to students and the public

Helped the Florida Entomological Society to publish its journal “The Florida Entomologist” free on the web

Helped to create the UF Book of Insect Records

Dr. Thomas Reece “Pete” Thompson, Class of 1964

Thompson’s son, Mark Thompson introduced his father, beginning by saying, “He is the type of person who puts every single individual, whether it’s at work, friends, co-workers, even situations, before himself, and that is without question.” He continued, “There are a couple of phrases and words I’ve never heard him utter…‘I can’t’…the word ‘no’…That’s exactly how he is, that’s exactly how he functions and is successful…in the world.”

Thompson, himself, thanked his son and told the audience, “I am grateful, I am humbled” to receive recognition. He also thanked his nominator and former teacher Helen Bell, “Who,” said Thompson, “is in a large part responsible for helping me to have confidence in my dream of becoming a physician.”

Thompson:

Attended UT Martin and graduated from Louisiana State University in 1967

Earned an M.D from University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 1970

Earned board certification from American Board of Radiology in 1974

Named Chief of Staff at West Tennessee Health Care Hospital, 1980, 2007, and 2018

Served on the Medical Executive Committee at WTH Dyersburg

Served on the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Radiological Society from 2015-2016

Was Awarded a fellowship in the American College of Radiology, of which only 15% of U.S. radiologists are ever awarded

Served as Medical Advisor for Jackson State Community College, 1987-2008

Served on the Dyersburg City School Board from 1988-1996

Earned a commercial pilot license with over 4,000 hours of flight time

DHS Coach Timothy Strayhorn, Class of 1982

Reverend Bobby Matthews introduced Strayhorn and praised him for his work as a coach and for instilling “confidence to win” in his players. He said he has known Strayhorn since childhood and then worked with him as a lineman at Dyersburg Electric. He told of Strayhorn’s strong work ethic, noting of himself and Strayhorn as lineman, “No matter what came our way, we were going to take that opportunity to finish the job.” He praised Strayhorn’s dedication to helping children. “And, Matthews continued, “he makes a difference in this community.”

Strayhorn said, “I was fortunate enough to work at Dyersburg Electric, but basketball was calling my name.” He credits his brother, saying, “My brother, LB—he’s the one who got me started coaching.” He said that he admired his older brother, watching and learning from him. Strayhorn said that when his daughter was a child, he coached her, and he began coaching kids at the activity center. He remarked that another impetus was his mother: “I always wanted her to be proud of me.” Remarking that “The Dyersburg Highschool administration has been great to me,” he thanked Worley, DHS Principal Kamela Rogers, whom, he said, “I coached…and is now my principal and boss.” He thanked Coach Blaine Mahaffey for giving him this opportunity. He concluded, “I just love it here in Dyersburg, and I love Dyersburg High School.”

Strayhorn:

Trained as a lineman for the Dyersburg Electric System and worked there 28 years

Served as Assistant Girls Basketball Coach at Dyer County School for 9 years

Served as Three Oaks Middle School

Began as DHS Girls Basketball Coach in 2021 and in the third season took the team to win the State Championship

Named the State Gazette’s Coach of the Year in 2024

Dyersburg City Schools Director Kim Worley, Class of 1989

Dyersburg High School Principal Kamela Rogers introduced Worley, saying, “She encourages everyone to seek and overcome challenges and not run away from them.” She remarked that Worley became director during the Covid crisis and led the school as a “fabulous leader.” She noted that Worley is “a pioneer of new ideas,” adding that Worley, “loves being first and loves to win.” Although Worley, she said, makes decisions based on data, “her first concern is the kids.”

Worley said, “This is an emotional day for me. Dyersburg City Schools are very very important to me. She said that even though she lived in the county, her parents paid the tuition for her to go to Dyersburg schools. The schools’ commitment to excellence, she exclaimed, came about long before her time. She credited former teachers, school board members, current teachers, staff, and the schoolboard, as well as her family, for inspiring her to do her job. She thanked her team for all they do to make the schools a great place for kids to learn.

She praised her husband for his support, and she said, “I also want to thank my family. Without them, I wouldn’t be here today. She concluded, commenting on staff and teachers, thanking them for their encouragement, saying, “You are my anchor.”

Worley:

Graduated eighth in her class from Dyersburg High School in 1989

Attended University of Tennessee at Martin, graduating at Tennessee Tech in 1993

Earned master's degree at Tennessee Tech, graduating with a double degree in curriculum and instruction and administration

Began teaching Economics, Physical Science, and Pre-Calculus at DHS in 1993, eventually switching to passion, Algebra I and II

Became Instructional Supervisor at DHS in 2007

Became DHS Principal in 2014, the first female principal at the school

Became Dyersburg City Schools Director in 2020, the first female director of Dyersburg City Schools