CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville Civitan Club this week celebrated 100 years of service to the community.

The Civitan organization was started in 1917 by a group of businessmen in Birmingham, Alabama, with a goal of “Building Good Citizenship.” Three years later, Civitan International was formed, with the Clarksville Civitan Club chartered on July 6, 1922, as the 76th club of Civitan International.

The Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Guest speakers at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Dwight Ragsdale and Kearney “Dee” Hutsler at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville President Derek Eurales Jr. and Kearney “Dee” Hutsler at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Julie Tarrents, President-Elect, speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Rotary Club of Clarksville members showing their support for Civitan at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Civitan Club past presidents at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
LeRoy Parks, former Civitan International President, at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Jay Albertia, former Civitan International President, at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Jay Albertia, Kearney “Dee” Hutsler, and LeRoy Parks, at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Civitan members at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Civitan members at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts and Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
members of Scout Troop 514 at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Civitan President Derek Eurales Jr. speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Chuck Terry speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Tennessee State Senator Bill Powers speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Tennessee State Senator Bill Powers and Civitan President Derek Eurales Jr. at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Mayor Jim Durrett, Chuck Terry, Mayor Joe Pitts, & Civitan President Derek Eurales Jr. at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Bruce Myers, Clarksville Civitan Treasurer, speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Jimmy Dunn, former Clarksville Civitan President, speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Jay Albertia, former Civitan International President, speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Kearney “Dee” Hutsler, 2022-23 Civitan International President-Elect speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

At one time, the Civitan organization was made up of only male members, which changed 1n 1974 and the bylaws were amended which opened membership to women. Lori Turner became the first female member of the local club, with Wilma Drye, who was Montgomery County Trustee at the time, becoming the first president for 1992-93.

Over the years, Clarksville Civitan has carried out many projects to support citizens and the community. One of those was in 1956 when they helped to charter Boy Scout Troop 514, which they continue to sponsor today. Members of Troop 514 joined Civitan at the event. The organization has also sponsored a number of Junior Civitan Clubs.

Currently there are three main active fundraising projects: Vidalia Onion Sales, Claxton Fruitcake Sales, and the Riverfest $10,000 Scavenger Hunt.

“We’ve come a long way in our city when it comes to civic service,” said Derek Eurales Jr., current club president.

Special guests included state Sen. Bill Powers, County Mayor Jim Durrett and Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts.

Clarksville Civitan currently has close to 90 members and are seeking more. They meet each Wednesday at noon at First Baptist Church downtown in the Laida Fellowship Hall.

For more, go to the Clarksville Civitan Facebook page, email clark8013@clarkvillecivitan.com or call 931-648-5757.