Melvin Jones was born on January 13, 1879 in Fort Thomas, Arizona, the son of a United States Army captain who commanded a troop of scouts. Later, his father was transferred and the family moved east. As a young man, Melvin Jones made his home in Chicago, Illinois, became associated with an insurance firm and in 1913 formed his own agency. He soon joined the Business Circle, a businessmen’s luncheon group, and was shortly elected secretary. This group was one of many at that time devoted solely to promoting the financial interests of their membership. Because of their limited appeal, they were destined to disappear. Melvin Jones, however, had other plans. “What if these men,” he asked, “who are successful because of their drive, intelligence and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities?” Thus, at his invitation, delegates from men’s clubs met in Chicago to lay the groundwork for such an organization and on June 7, 1917, Lions Clubs International was born.
Goleta Lions Club Melvin Jones Award Winners
Bobby Ammons
C.W. Bryant
Jack Carlson
Frank Florez
John Fowler
Chase Gregory
Frank Heintz
Ed Holdren
Russ Johnston
Vic Johnston
Bob Locke
Bob Mangus
Mac McDougall
Joe Mueller
Jerry Newton
Jim Petrovich
Bill Porter
Jack Rutten
Dick Tyler
Donn Zellet
Andy Ponce
John Pace
Justin Mendoza
Lion of the Year
2023 John Pace
2022 Zack Hergert
2021 No Award COVID
2020 No Award COVID
2019 Justin Mendoza
2018 Justin Mendoza
2017 John Pace
2016 Jerry Newton
2015 Bobby Blessing
2014 John Fowler
2013 Dave Johnson
2012 Mike Pickett
2011 Jack Carlson
2010 Wayne Heisinger
2009 Andy Ponce
2008 Chase Gregory
2007 Joe Mueller
2006 Bob Gray
2005 Drew Wakefield
2004 Dave Mead
2003 No Award Given
2002 Hal Hamm
2001 Jerry Newton
2000 Al Parziale
1999 Russ Johnston
1998 Donn Zellet
1997 Bob Mangus
1996 Bill Masho
1995 Bob Locke
Vic Johnston Presidents Award
2023 Dave Anderson
2022 John Fowler
2021 No Award COVID
2020 No Award COVID
2019 Silas Jackson
2018 Ed Holdren
2017 Bob Archer
2015 John Fowler
2014 Leo Bopp / Silas Jackson
2013 John Fowler
2012 Jerry Newton
2011 Paul Petersen
2010 Chase Gregory
2009 Donn Zellet
2008 Wayne Heisinger
2007 Bill Porter
2006 Donn Zellet
2005 Bill Morris
2004 Bill Porter
2003 No Award Given
2002 Bill Porter
2001 Bill Morris
2000 John Adam
1999 Bob Locke
1998 Jerry Newton
1997 John Adam
1996 Ray Ratinoff
1995 Dan Keyser