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Jesse Wasson Award to Dave Zea

By TPR News Desk, 06/22/2009

Friday, June 19 turned out to be a pretty special day for La Porte City’s Dave Zea. In the morning, he was one of several individuals across the state commended for their volunteer service by Iowa Governor Chet Culver. The accolades for Zea didn’t stop with the presentation of the Governor’s Award, though. Later that day, Zea received the City of La Porte City’s highest honor, the Jesse Wasson Award.  

The Jesse Wasson Award, presented each year by the La Porte City Chamber of Commerce, is named after the founder of La Porte City and is presented to a distinguished citizen who has served the community in extraordinary ways.  

Forty eight years ago Dave Zea joined the La Porte City community as a teacher in the school district.A graduate of Iowa State Teachers College, he had also served in the United States Army and worked for the F.B.I.During his 48 years in La Porte City, he has served as Choir Director, Sunday school teacher and President of the American Lutheran Church Board.  

Zea has served as a school board member and was President of the school board when La Porte City merged with Dysart to become Union.He served as an announcer at the high school football games for 31 years, as well as announcing occasionally for basketball and wrestling. He currently is equipment manager for the Union boy’s basketball team.  

He has served as President and is currently a member of the La Porte City Council on Aging.He is “Keeper of the Keys” for the La Porte City Community Center, opening the building at 7 AM and closing after 2 PM Monday-Friday, providing seniors a place to gather for a cup of coffee, a meal and SEVERAL games of cards. He helps with meal delivery for home bound seniors and offers rides to those who otherwise could not get out.

He always has a smile and a story that will make others share that smile.Without his volunteer efforts the center would not be open.He also assists the City when the building is rented by making arrangements for set up before and after.

Zea is at all times an ambassador for La Porte City. He uses every opportunity at the community center to share stories of “the great kids” at Union High and, likewise shares with students all the wonderful things happening at the Center and in La Porte City. No student could have a bigger fan whether cheering for their achievements in sports or in life, no senior citizen a more loyal friend.

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