IN PHOTOS: Johnson City honors first city planner, designates Donate Life Month

Johnson City Mayor Greg Cox recognized a longtime city innovator and a state nonprofit with mayoral proclamations at a commission meeting Thursday. Cox designated April 8 in honor of Jack Strickland, the day of his 93rd birthday. Strickland began working for Johnson City in 1961 as the city's first planner and later served as assistant city manager beginning in 1965. His planning work kickstarted the development of major infrastructural components, such as Interstate 26 and State of Franklin Road, into what they are today. After the presentation, Strickland took the mic to reflect on his role in selecting the locations for Johnson City's I-26 entrances. "When Interstate 26 was proposed, it became my responsibility to decide where it was going to be," Strickland said. "Where it is located a now, I just drew that on a map — there are people now … they still don't speak to me." Strickland's family joined him to celebrate the honor. Strickland's service extends beyond the city as he was the first director of the First Tennessee-Virginia Development District and is a U.S. Navy veteran. Cox also designated April as Donate Life Month. Senior External Affairs Coordinator for Tennessee Donor Services Nick Shepherd accepted the proclamation. Currently, over 100,000 Americans await a lifesaving organ transplant — 3,000 of whom live in Tennessee, Shepherd said. "I would encourage everyone here to consider registering to be an organ and tissue donor," Shepherd said. "Organ donation provides a little bit of hope in a time of tragedy for somebody else." This is the fourth year in a row Johnson City has designated April as Donate Life Month, according to Shepherd. Mayor Greg Cox, Vice Mayor Jenny Brock, Strickland and his family pose for a photo in celebration of the proclamation. MADELYN SCHNEIDER/SIX RIVERS MEDIA Mayor Greg Cox reads the proclamation designating April as Donate Life Month to Nick Shepherd, a representative from Tennessee Donor Services. Cox's proclamation recognized the ongoing need for organ and tissue donors in Tennessee and encouraged residents to join the donor registry. MADELYN SCHNEIDER/SIX RIVERS MEDIA Jack Strickland accepts a proclamation from Mayor Greg Cox at the commission meeting Thursday. Strickland was the first city planner for Johnson City in 1961. MADELYN SCHNEIDER/SIX RIVERS MEDIA Vice Mayor Jenny Brock comments on Strickland's longtime career of community service after the mayoral proclamation. Strickland played an integral role in Johnson City's infrastructural developments over the past 50 years. MADELYN SCHNEIDER/SIX RIVERS MEDIA Members of the public and city staff give Strickland a standing ovation following the mayor's recognition of his years of civic service. April 8 is now designated in honor of Strickland, the day of the 93-year-old's birthday. MADELYN SCHNEIDER/SIX RIVERS MEDIA Strickland shares a lighthearted story about his role in selecting where in Johnson City I-26 would pass through when the highway was first proposed decades ago. The public, Strickland's family and city leaders laugh along. MADELYN SCHNEIDER/SIX RIVERS MEDIA