Thursday morning, Tennessee State Senator Rusty Crowe was in Elizabethton for a special reason.
The senator swung by Lingerfelt Pharmacy in downtown where he presented a proclamation by the State of Tennessee in remembrance of the late Harold Lingerfelt. The proclamation was given to Harold’s son, Mike Lingerfelt.
“He was so involved in our community and really cared about the people,” said Crowe. “He was a mayor for years and a pharmacist here and got to know the people through his work as a mayor. He really represented his people.
“I’ve always worried that people like that who contributed so much to our communities are sometimes forgotten,” added Crowe. “I wanted to make sure that everyone remembered all of the good things that Harold did.”
The proclamation calls Lingerfelt, “an exemplary public servant and consummate professional who worked assiduously to improve the quality of life for his fellow citizen in numerous capacities.”
Lingerfelt was born and raised in Elizabethton and was the son of Jacob Lee and Viola Bacon Lingerfelt.
After graduating from Elizabethton High School, Lingerfelt attended Milligan College, ETSU and the University of Tennessee.
Lingerfelt would also serve in the United States Navy during World War II.
Upon graduation from college, Lingerfelt worked stints at City Drug and Burgie Drugs in Elizabethton before becoming the owner and operator of Taylor Drug Store in 1963. He would rename the store Lingerfelt Pharmacy. It was the first pharmacy in Elizabethton to offer an integrated staff and water fountain.
Along with his work as a pharmacist, Lingerfelt served as the mayor of Elizabethton for two terms and was a member of the City Council.
Over the years, Lingerfelt was involved with many different organizations including Elizabethton Gideon Camp International, the Red Cross, the A Model Club, the Tennessee Baptist Convention, Kiwanis, the Elizabethton Housing Authority, the Elizabethton Merchants Associations, the Watauga Historical Association, the International American Legion, the Watauga Coin Club, Carter County Care and Share, and Hale’s Ministry.
Lingerfelt was a long time member of Immanuel Baptist Chuch.