Local dentist sees his work pay off
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
By Lori Mellinger
The idea came to Tad Morgan when he was talking to fellow business people at the Bullard Chamber of Commerce's first business expo two years ago.

Above, Jim Wade, owner of The Movie Place, hands a gift certificate to Dyeann Prentice. Prentice was chosen at the first recipient of the "Bullard for Bullard" honor. Dr. Tad Morgan, who initiated the program, recruited more than 50 businesses to help one of its own in the community. Below, Morgan his family, and other committee members speak to Prentice, telling her how she was chosen for the honor.

He started talking to some of the other businesses represented, and put a committee together.

His goal was to get as many businesses in town together as possible for the benefit of one needy resident.

Morgan - with a demanding dental practice - let the idea rest for a while, but when he was able to devote more time to it, he did so with full force.

"It was just a passing thought at first," Morgan said. "But the more I thought about it, it really became my passion."

The idea was two-fold: the obvious being to help someone in need, Morgan said, but it was also a move to put the Bullard business community behind a common goal and a common cause.

Bullard Banner Photos by Lori Mellinger

Now all they needed was a needy person.

And that's where Bullard Coach Ryan Tomlin stepped in.

"Coach Tomlin suggested Mrs. Prentice," Morgan said. "He nominated her, and the committee agreed she was perfect for the first award winner."

Mrs. Prentice lost her 16- year-old son Larry more than a year ago, while he was doing what he loved most - playing basketball.

And even as the business community was there to offer their support, the biggest presence in the room were Larry's former teammates - in their uniforms - who came to pay respect to Mrs. Prentice.

Larry died in January of 2005 after he collapsed during a varsity basketball game against Lufkin. Autopsy results showed undetected abnormalities in Larry's heart and liver.

Mrs. Prentice thanked the business community for its gifts, but many of her comments were about her son and geared toward his teammates.

"They've been good to me," she said. "And they've not forgotten me or Larry."

Bullard varsity basketball players show support to Dyeann Prentice, whose son Larry collapsed on the court in January of 2005 and died from undetected abnormalities of his heart and liver. Dyeann was the first recipient of "Bullard for Bullard" community award.

Mrs. Prentice said she never went to sleep until she would hear Larry come in from practice.

"It's hard not listen for the door to close anymore," she said, wiping tears from her eyes. "But it helps knowing you loved him, too, and you haven't forgotten him."

Following Larry's death, the board voted to buy portable defibrillators for the athletics department.

"He cared about people," Tomlin said. "Everyone liked and respected Larry.

"He could light up a room when he walked in."

Bullard for Bullard is comprised of about 30 area businesses. Morgan said they are already thinking about more events to help the community.