The Barton County Commission Monday morning approved a resolution honoring native county resident and long-time local businessman Wendell Doonan by declaring Monday as Wendell Doonan Day in Barton County.
“We very much appreciate this,” said Chuck Carper, credit manager for Doonan Peterbilt and GMC. The dealership, which is now run by Wendell’s son Kenny, has been around for 49 years.
Doonan was unable to attend the meeting as he was at a doctor’s appointment. “He wishes he could have been here,” Carper said.
According to the resolution:
“The Commissioners of Barton County, Kansas, recognize and appreciate a life-long dedication of personal and financial commitment to the community; and when such a member of the community reaches a personal milestone, the commissioners are honored to have the privilege of recognizing the person.”
It goes on to say:
“Mr. Doonan, during his lifetime, has been involved with the Elks, the Petroleum Club, the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club and served as a Great Bend City Councilman; and Mr. Doonan has expanded the local tax base exponentially by owning and operating several businesses and by selling both goods and services from what has become Doonan’s Corner east of Great Bend; and that the culmination of his life’s work is the Doonan’s Truck Museum that houses vintage trucks and tractors that have been restored to working order.”