The Hall of Honor recognizes “former students, former employees, and community members who, through their accomplishments, bring high honor to the Fairborn City Schools so that present-day students may find identity with the past and set goals for the future,” said Ed Gibbons, chairman of the Hall of Honor induction committee.
Rex E. Aukerman
Aukerman graduated in 1955 from Bluffton High School, where he was senior class president, homecoming king and football team captain. He held a bachelor of science in education degree and masters in counseling and guidance, administration, and industrial arts degrees. He taught and coached in De Graff and Bellefontaine and from 1968-90 was on the faculty of the Fairborn City Schools, where he taught industrial arts and was a vocational and academic counselor, head track coach, head cross country coach and assistant football coach. He was also co-owner of A & E Rentals and A & W Rentals. He served as a member of the Fairborn Board of Education, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Jaycees and Sertoma; Greene County Career Center Board of Education; Order of Masons, Boggs Lodge #292; and Ohio State Track Coaches Association. Aukerman died in 1999, leaving his wife, Jeanene, four children, Kim, Kevin, Kendra and Kraig, and seven grandchildren.
M. Joyce Dennis
Joyce Dennis graduated in 1955 from Frankfort (Ohio) High School, where she was salutatorian and a member of the National Honor Society and Tri-Hi-Y, vice-president of her junior class and percussionist in the marching and concert bands. She holds a bachelor of science in education degree and a master of guidance and counseling degree. She began her career in 1959, teaching fifth and sixth grades at Central and sixth grade at South Elementary Schools. She was a guidance counselor at Five Points Junior High School, where she also coached girls’ softball and volleyball. She then became a guidance counselor at Baker Junior High School, a position she held until she retired in 1996. She is a life member of the Ohio Retired Teachers and Greene County Teachers Associations and a member of the Frankfort United Methodist Church, Rebecca Galloway Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Order of the Eastern Star, Fairborn Senior Citizens Center and Rhinestone ’n Roses. She resides in Fairborn.
Daniel J. Florio
Daniel Florio graduated in 1985 from Fairborn High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society, football team, wrestling squad and the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. He earned a bachelor of music degree from the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and a master of music degree from the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York. He has performed with the Rochester, Buffalo and Erie Philharmonic and the Honolulu and Canton Symphony Orchestras and has participated in five European tours. Since 1996, he has been a member of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and has been appointed Interim Principal Percussionist for the 2009-10 season. He is the Dallas Symphony Pops drum set specialist and has conducted percussion clinics and master classes at numerous universities. He is also the Artist Representative for Sabian Cymbals and a member of the Percussive Arts Society International and the American Federation of Musicians. He resides in Dallas, Texas.
Martha Rockwood King
Martha Rockwood King graduated in 1963 from Fairborn High School, where she was valedictorian, a National Merit Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in comparative literature from Indiana University, where she was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and Delta Zeta. She is co-owner of King Schools, Inc., San Diego, California, the world’s leading producer of aviation training multimedia programs. Qualified to fly every type of aircraft, she has also taught more pilots than any other instructor in aviation history and is the only woman to hold every FAA pilot rating and FAA instructor certificate. She was chosen as one of five Presidential appointees to the First Flight Centennial Advisory Board, was inducted into the International Aerospace Hall of Fame and has been named one of “100 Distinguished Aviation Heroes in the First Century of Flight” and one of “100 Most Influential Women in Aviation.” She and her husband, John, reside in San Diego.
Lt. Commander Erik J. Neal
Erik Neal graduated in 1983 from Fairborn High School. He enlisted in the Navy in 1984 and, after completing advanced electronics technical training, was assigned to the USS New Orleans (LPH 11) and then the USS Nimitz (CVN 68). He deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in eight years, earned an associate of arts and science degree and earned his commission. He holds a bachelor of arts in political science degree and a master of science in financial management degree. As a commissioned officer he has been assigned to the USS Rushmore (LSD 47), USS Hurricane (PC 3) and Amphibious Squadron One. He was the Officer in Charge, Naval Support Activity, Gaeta, Italy; Executive Officer aboard the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides); and is currently Chief Staff Officer of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport, Washington. He and his wife, Carla, reside on Bainbridge Island, Washington.
Gertrude (Trudy) Simms Williams
Trudy Simms Williams graduated in 1955 from Fairborn High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, student council, TAC, GAA, Tri-Hi-Y, Spanish club, band, orchestra and choir, and secretary of her freshman class. She earned a bachelor of science in advertising design degree from the University of Cincinnati, where she was president of Mortar Board and Zeta Tau Alpha and a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and Delta Phi Delta. She received a master of administration degree from Seton Hall University. She has spent 35 years in the Girl Scouts, serving as camp director and administrator, executive director of the Lenni-Lenape Girl Scout Council and president and board member for the Girl Scouts of the South Jersey Pines. In 1989 she became Customer Service Manager of Goebel, North America, retiring in 1999. She is currently president of Soroptimist of Cape May County. She and her husband, Richard, reside in Cape May, New Jersey and have two sons, Kevin and Roger.
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