The Mesquite Rotary Club recently surprised John Todd during a club Zoom meeting with ceremonies honoring him for attaining 50 years as a club member. After praising Todd’s record of service to the club and community, Rotary president Dr. Angel Rivera turned the ceremonies over to club member Todd Price.
Price then presented a brief biography of Todd that detailed his service to Rotary and to the community, and presented him with a gift certificate for a celebration meal at his favorite restaurant.
John Blake Todd joined the U.S. Navy Reserves in 1962, and graduated from Abilene Christian College with a bachelor’s degree in business in January of 1964. He then went on active duty in the U.S. Navy, graduating from naval officers’ school, and served for three years. He continued serving in the U.S. Naval Reserve until 1972, and attained the rank of Lieutenant.
He had started his career in banking part time, from 1961 to 1963, and became full time in 1968. He became an assistant Texas state bank examiner in 1969 and 1970, before starting work for First State Bank of Mesquite in August of 1970 as vice president in charge of new business and public relations. He became the executive vice president of First State Bank in 1992, and retired to become a director of the bank in 1996.
Todd joined the Mesquite Rotary Club in October of 1970. He was a member of the District 5810 greater Rotary Chorus for twelve years. He served as president of the Mesquite Rotary Club in 1980-81, and served as a District 5810 group representative from 1983 to 1985. He has also served the Mesquite club in other capacities, including the positions of club service director, treasurer, and most recently as the sergeant-at-arms. He has also contributed to Rotary International’s work to improve people’s lives all over the world, as a Rotary Foundation third-level Paul Harris Fellow. Through it all, he has remained an affable, loyal, and treasured asset to the club and community.