Lions Clubs International float in Rose Parade

Residents of Baker and nearby North Dakota had special interest in the 2013 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena.

Donate to Life float by Lions Clubs International contained a floragraph of the late Tyler Barry Plummer. Tyler, 33, died as a result of a massive heart attack Jan. 25, 2012, in Dickinson, N.D. When Tyler was 19 years old, he breathed an airborne virus which settled in his heart and caused an enlarged heart. 

His parents are Boyd and Susan (Cameron) Plummer, who reside on their ranch at Carlyle, north of Baker. He was married to Annika Grace Nelson, Aug. 27, 2009. They were proud of their home and 40 acres they owned south of Dickinson.

Tyler was chosen to represent North Dakota on the Lions Clubs International float in the Rose Parade because he gave the gift of eyesight to two people and was a down-to-earth person. He had 20/20 vision. Lions Eye Bank personnel in Bismarck contacted Annika for permission to honor Tyler.

There were photos of 71 donors of eyes, organs or tissue in death in 2012 on the float. Tyler was first North Dakotan to be honored.

Lions Clubs International float in the Rose Parade was preceded by a blind precision marching unit from Tustin, Calif. Just behind the float was a blind marching band from Ohio. 

Lions is the largest service organization in the world with over 1.35 million members. They provide worldwide eyesight conservation, and work to eliminate preventable blindness and to aid the blind and visually impaired. 

Montana Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation has Dennis Kopitzke, administrator, in Forsyth. He is former Columbia Falls resident.

The floragraph was made in California and sent to Bismarck for family members to complete the picture. Annika described it as a deeply healing and amazing experience. Annika is administrative secretary for DSU Department of Agriculture and technology studies. 

Blue Hawk classic annual wrestling tournament, Jan. 19, has been renamed Tyler Plummer Classic in his honor. Tyler was valedictorian of the 1997 graduating class at Baker High School, has Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degree in Business Administration, degree in accounting from Dickinson State University, and was a CPA.

I met Tyler when he was employed by Janet and Jerry Townsend at Townsend Accounting in Baker one summer,.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.