TO BE HONORED -- Former White River Valley/Worthington Elementary School Principal the late Larry Catron, center, will be honored by the school during a special ceremony on Friday that will name the football field in his memory. [Click to enlarge]

The community is invited to a special program at the White River Valley-Worthington Elementary School on Friday at 2 p.m. to unveil a sign and dedicate the football field to the memory of Larry J. Catron.

Catron, a former principal at the school, passed away last January at the age of 63. He had retired from his position in 1999 after 23 years of service.

Early in his life, Catron knew what he wanted to do -- become an educator and work with young people. He received his bachelor's and masters degrees from Ball State University and became a teacher. He loved children, he loved his work and he left an indelible, positive mark on the Worthington school and on the students who attended during his tenure.

Catron will be remembered for devoting his life to education and youth. He worked hard on obtaining grant money and instituting new programs, on improving student progress and achievement, and on improving the learning environment and physical building. But more importantly, he will be remembered for the respect he gave to students of all ages and for the personal interest he showed in the welfare of each one.

Catron's career accomplishments are impressive in and of themselves, but what makes his story even more remarkable is the fact that he achieved his life goals while living with a severe physical disability.

One evening, not long after he had been appointed as the WRV-Worthington principal, he played a pickup game of basketball at the school and felt great. The next morning he woke up with a pain in his neck.

He went to work as usual but with each passing hour, he felt worse. After a teacher remarked that he didn't look well, he left school to go to the doctor. He walked in to the doctor's waiting room but he didn't walk out. When they called his name, he crumpled in the floor, never to walk again.

He was in the hospital for awhile, diagnosed with a rare viral disease that passes quickly but leaves behind an incurable paralysis. He lost the use of his legs and partial use of his arms, but it did not affect his mind or his will to accomplish his goals.

While some were thinking he would never be able to work again, Catron was busy taking therapy, learning to operate a motorized wheelchair and finding alternative ways to get things done.

He returned to work with single-minded determination to do his job and subsequently became an inspiration to all those around him.

Although Catron could no longer play sports, he remained an avid sports fan and supporter of youth athletics and served as coach for several young teams at the school.

Earlier this year, the White River Valley Board of School Trustees decided the football field behind the elementary school should be named the "Larry J. Catron Memorial Field." A special sign to be erected at the entrance will be unveiled at the dedication ceremony Friday.

In addition to fellow administrators, teachers and current students, the public is welcome to attend. Lawnchairs will be appropriate. In the event of rain, this event will be held in the WRV-Worthington Elementary gym.

Anna is a staff writer for the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached at indianarose@fastmail.us