2026 INDUCTEES
Don Frese
Mr. Frese is receiving this nomination because of his contributions to the Fair Grove community. He has made an impact through his military service, his career as teacher and principal at Fair Grove Elementary, his chimney sweep business and his volunteer work. Mr. Frese’s military service began in 1975 as a second lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion 75th Field Regiment. He started as a survey officer, then was the headquarter’s commander for eight years. Don transferred to the maintenance department, and after fourteen years with the field artillery he transferred to the 50th Battalion 39th Regiment USA RF (Reserve Forces) School, where he performed administrative jobs at the Kansas City location. Colonel Frese retired after 28 years of service in the US Army Reserves.
Mr. Frese started his teaching career in 1974 as a sixth grade teacher at Fair Grove Schools. After six years he was selected to become the elementary principal for kindergarten through sixth grade where he served for 26 years, retiring in 2006.
Mr. Frese worked a few summers helping build houses in Fair Grove when he wasn’t teaching or serving in the Army Reserves. Then he gave up house building to start a chimney sweep business. He used the same 1974 blue Ford pickup for 43 years to make his chimney sweep calls. Mr. Frese has been a member of the Fair Grove Lions Club for years. During the annual Heritage Reunion/Fall Festival he has helped cook many chickens over an open grill. In recent years he and his wife, Cindy, have worked in the Lions Club Concession Stand during the Festival.
Mr. Frese is a long time member of the Fair Grove United Methodist Church, and belongs to the American Legion Post 38 in Fair Grove.
Mr. Frese currently serves as vice-president on the board of the Fair Grove Senior Center. He volunteers his time to wash dishes, provide maintenance, and play pool.
Tony Peck
Tonya Peck accepted the position of Head Volleyball Coach in 2001 and has amassed a remarkable record of 618-177-53, averaging nearly 26 wins per season over more than two decades. Under her leadership, Fair Grove earned; 10 Class 2 District Championships, 14 MLC Conference Titles, 4 Final Four appearances (2001,2013, 2023, 2024), and back-to-back State Championships in 2023 and 2024.
Her individual accolades are just as impressive, including 15 Conference Coach of the Year honors, and in 2023, she was named both The Missouri Class 2 Coach of the Year and Missouri All-Class Coach of the Year. She earned Class 2 Coach of the Year again in 2024, affirming her legacy as one of the top coaches in the state.
Coach Peck is described by her players as a role model and one that pushed them to be the best versions of themselves as possible, on the court and off. She also stated that receiving the Team of the Year award at the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Springfield Commission Awards for the 2024-2025 volleyball team was very special to her.
Her mentoring, leadership, friendship, and passion for her calling to lead the Fair Grove volleyball team will be a standing legacy for many years. The impact of the lives touched is seen in the trickled players becoming leaders in their own areas. Tonya is currently the Fair Grove HIgh School counselor.
Henry Gilbert Barclay
Henry Gilbert Barclay was born in 1932, raised in Tunas, Missouri, and passed away in 1998.
He was one of thirteen children. When he graduated in 1949, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served during the Korean Conflict in the early 1950’s.
After an honorable discharge, he enrolled in Southwest Missouri State College. He received a Bachelor of Science in Education and went on to earn a Masters in Administration from Drury University.
He began teaching at Niangua, Missouri, in the fall of 1958. In the fall of 1959, he accepted the position at Fair Grove High School as the Industrial Arts Teacher. He served in this position teaching general shop, drafting, woodworking, etc.,through the Spring of 1968. In the fall of 1968, he assumed the position of Fair Grove HIgh School Principal, which he served until 1973.
For the next seven years he was the carpentry and drafting instructor where he and his students built a house each year, which boosted revenue for the school.
In the Fall of 1980, Gilbert went back into administration as the Middle School Principal. He held this position until retirement in 1986.
Gilbert was a dedicated, reliable, and valuable employee of Fair Grove Schools. He was always ready, willing, and able to do what was needed. He was a mentor for many students. He was nearly always in attendance at athletic events and was an active supporter of the Fair Grove Community.
Paul Willard
Paul Willard moved to Fair Grove in 1968. He didn’t really consider himself a great athlete as a child. However, he joined teams and learned to play. As an adult, Paul dedicated his money, time, and spirit of comradery to making certain the children in Fair Grove had a chance to participate in sports. He wanted to build their self-esteem and let them experience how community matters.
Paul served the Greene County Water Board in 1971 (which later became the Fair Grove Water Board). Three years later, he began coaching a second grade boys basketball team at the Boys Club. He didn’t know it then, but he would loyally be a part of the lives of these boys through high school, and follow one into college. He also began a tournament for elementary boys, mostly teams from the Boys Club. Fair Grove School allowed them the use of the ball field. He and another Fair Grove resident decided to begin summer co-ed softball and baseball programs around 1975. The program was free for any child. It blossomed and Paul stayed with it, enjoying pouring into the lives of the players. Hundreds of Fair Grove youth joined every summer to play and each player was able to play, regardless of ability. Most summer afternoons,you could find him at the ball field; watering, mowing, weedeating, lining the field, cleaning the bathrooms or concession stand, putting out equipment, etc. Eventually, the programs were adopted by the Fair Grove Lions Club.
Paul also was involved in basketball with coaching and organizing tournaments. He was an active member of the Fair Grove community including being a member of the School Board from 1979 to 1981, the Fair Grove Water Board, which he served a second term in the 1990’s, Fair Grove Lions Club, and The Fair Grove Fire Protection District.
HIs heart was for the youth in the community. He loved the Blue and Gold, state championships, and the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions. Foremost in all he was involved in, was his love for the Lord and sharing that love with the youth and parents in events like the Busting Out Christian Praise Rallies that took place on the football field in 1986,1987, and 1988. Paul served at Mt. Comfort Church, and later Spring Hill Baptist Church. He served many positions in his lifetime and finished filling pulpits for sick or vacationing ministers. His legacy has left a lasting impact on the Fair Grove Community of not only sportsmanship and service but of love and devotion.