Charles E. Karrick was known as a dedicated Lions volunteer, devoting countless hours to the organization that helped Atmore and beyond with its service projects.

Karrick was honored Thursday night during a special Lions meeting at David’s Catfish House when he was posthumously bestowed with the Melvin Jones Fellow award for dedicated humanitarian service — the international organization’s highest honor.

Karrick, a native of Montgomery, moved his family to Atmore in 1969 after retiring as a colonel in the U.S. Army. While in town, he worked tirelessly with the Lions Club organization and also spent many years serving as the secretary of the board at United Bank.

Karrick was also the author of a book about the bank titled “The History of the Bank of Atmore,” which was completed after his death with help from his wife Nancy.

Nancy accepted the award Thursday on behalf of her late husband and said he would have been humbled by the honor. Karrick said both the Lions Club and the city of Atmore held special places in her husband’s heart.

“He was from Montgomery, but he was very, very quick to say, when people asked him, that he was from Atmore,” Karrick said. “And Lions Club was something that was important to him because he realized it was helping all over the world as well as in Atmore.”

Nancy was joined during the ceremony by her daughter, Nancy Erwin, son-in-law John Erwin and grandsons John Charles and Brantley Erwin, all of whom were treated to stories from several long-time Lions Club members outlining Mr. Karrick’s kindness and fortitude.

“Tonight we’re gathered to honor the Karricks and remember Lion Charles and all of the good he did through his many contributions over the years,” said Anne Hetzel, president of the Atmore Lions Club.

Following a brief welcome, Hetzel also announced the Atmore chapter of the club was recently named one of only two Alabama Lions Clubs to receive the coveted Club Excellence Award.

“It’s very reflective of how Lion Charles served,” Hetzel said of the honor.

“I can truly tell you he would be extremely proud of the award this club earned,” said Lion Patty Helton Davis.

Lion Joe Brown said the award for excellence is a reminder of the many traits that made Karrick such an asset to the club and community.

“I was fortunate to know Charles,” Brown said. “Charles was the type of guy that was quiet and precise. He wanted things done right, but I never heard him say an ill comment about anybody.”

Lion Bob Jones, and president of United Bank, said Karrick’s resilience and attention to detail made him an invaluable member of the bank’s staff.

“Whenever there was (a task) that didn’t fit anybody, it fit Charles,” Jones said. “He would just pick it up and go with it.”

Hetzel said the Karrick family should be proud of the honor Lion Charles Karrick has received.

“The Melvin Jones Fellow is the highest award a Lion can be given,” she said.