Sinclair Community College hosted the annual Dayton Walk of Fame luncheon at the Ponitz Center September 24, celebrating the addition of five new inductees along West Third Street, Broadway Street, Williams Street and Shannon Street.
The Dayton Walk of Fame began as a part of Dayton’s bicentennial celebration. The Wright-Dunbar Business District highlights the ingenuity that has comes and continues to come from the Dayton area.
The Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park has brochures available for the Walk of Fame walking tour, as well as information on general events put on by the organization.
The 2015 inductees this year are Zoe Dell Nutter, Gerald
“Jerry” Sharkey, Robert Keyser Schul and Edward “Snooky” Young Jr.
Zoe Dell Nutter flew to Dayton in the 1960s as a part of her job with Piper Aircraft, Inc. William T. Piper, owner of Piper Aircraft, Inc. required a more affordable trainer plane. There, she met Ervin J. Nutter, who would become her second husband. E. J. Nutter was inducted 15 years back in 2000.
Z. Nutter began her life in Oregon, and since has traveled the country holding jobs from dancer in the San Francisco, a commercial airline “theme girl” pirate, an entertainer for the troops as a part of United Services Organizations during WWII, the Ohio Civil Air Patrol flying rescue missions, to name just a few. Z. Nutter recently celebrated her centennial.
Robert “Bob” Keysey Schul was a participant in the Eighteenth Summer Olympiad in Tokyo, earning the only Gold Medal in the 5000-meter race to be held by an American. An Ohio native, Schul struggled with asthma yet set four American race world records as well as a world record for the 2-mile race. During the conclusion of the Olympic race, Schul finished the final 300-meter stretch in just 37.8 seconds in heavy rain. The crowd erupted as Schul finished with a powerful overtaking with a final time of 13 minutes, 48.8 seconds.
Keith D. Harrison is from right here in Dayton. Harrison is an Emmy recipient for his work during his time with “The Dazz Band,” a Cleveland funk group that began in the mid 70’s. “Let It Whip” topped the R&B charts and can still be heard on the radio today.
Harrison has received distinction for his efforts as not only a musician but as a humanitarian. Harrison has remained dedicated to the Miami Valley and beyond, volunteering and participating in programs and functions in the community to increase productivity and quality of life.
Gerald “Jerry” Sharkey is responsible for the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Park being more than just an idea for Dayton. Without his efforts, Dayton would have lost another historic area—one of the Wright Brothers’ early bicycle shops. Sharkey reached out, and through the combined efforts resulting from his lead, Dayton history has been preserved.
Sharkey also received distinction as “Teacher of the Year” for his great contributions and role as a teacher for Caroll High School. Sharkey passed away last year.
Eugene Edward “Snooky” Young, Jr was named National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master in 2009. From his time as first trumpet at Dunbar High School to his 30-year career as trumpeter in the Doc Severinsen Band on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Young left his impact on the world. “Snooky’s” play history includes Jimmie Lunceford, Count Basie, Gerald Wilsom, Lionel Hampton and more. Young passed in 2011.
Barton Kleen
Managing Editor