In inaugural contest, 4 men recognized by Good Dads as Outstanding Fathers of the Year

Just in time for Father's Day, Good Dads is celebrating the fathers who serve as the "backbone" of our community.

This year, the Springfield nonprofit dedicated to providing resources for local fathers, is recognizing four men for its inaugural Outstanding Fathers of the Year contest.

"Because Good Dads is about helping all dads be more engaged with their children, we wanted to focus on people who are really the backbone of a lot of things that happen in our community but they get so little recognition," Good Dads Director and Founder Jennifer Baker said.

Good Dads received 24 nominations for this year's contest from community members recognizing their fathers, spouses and co-workers. Each submission was judged on 10 merits, including strength of character, community involvement, positive involvement in children's lives and excellence in the workplace.

Outstanding Dad of the Year in the Trades

Christopher Hunt of Reeds Springs was awarded as Good Dads' Outstanding Dad of the Year in the Trades.

Hunt is the Vice President of Manufacturing at Loren Cook Company. He is the father of two children, Conner, 29, and Ashley, 26, and grandfather of Lincoln, 2, and Molly, nine months.

Conner and Ashley nominated him for the award. They described him as "loyal, brave, calm, kind and jolly," according to a Good Dads news release.

"My dad loves us not only by his words, but by his actions, compliments, posture and charisma," Conner said in a news release. "He expects the people he loves to do the right thing, not just when it's convenient but all the time and builds (us) up with confidence to be courageous."

Hunt's Father's Day plans include enjoying time with his family around good food at Table Rock Lake, according to a Good Dads blog post.

Outstanding First Responder Dad of the Year

Joshua Dukewits of Nixa was awarded as Good Dads' Outstanding Fire Responder Dad of the Year.

Dukewits is a battalion chief with the Battlefield Fire Protection District. He is the father of Myla, 10, and Mason, 7. Outside of his day job, Dukewits operates Fire Family BBQ, a food truck, with his wife Amy.

"I think a good dad is not too hard, not too soft," Dukewits said in a news release. "(I'm) teaching my kids to have respect for themselves ... and others."

Outstanding Dad of the Year in Transportation

Lee Williams of Springfield was awarded as Good Dads' Outstanding Dad of the Year in Transportation.

Williams is a USPS driver of 10 years and a father to Jay, 11. He and his wife Aubree have a baby on the way and are interested in adopting in the future.

Aubree nominated her husband for the award.

“During the pandemic and our first year of marriage while businesses were closed and everyone was home, he worked six days a week, 14-hour days,” Aubree said in a Good Dads blog post. “He never complained about the physical toll it took on him to provide for his family. He just got the job done.”

Jay described his dad as a "real dad, not a fake dad."

"Jay says his father is a great dad because Lee plays with him after work, no matter how tired he is, checks his homework, makes him breakfast and takes him places on weekends," a Good Days blog post states.

For Father's Day, Williams is going to take the day to enjoy time with his family.

Outstanding Dad of the Year in Law Enforcement

Joseph Taylor of Marshfield was awarded as Good Dads' Outstanding Dad of the Year in Law Enforcement.

Taylor is a Marshfield Police Department detective and father of Haily, 28, Lacey, 26 and Judson, 22. Good Dads received four nominations for Taylor from family and colleagues, according to a news release.

"My advice to other fathers is to spend as much time as you can with your children and let them know the can talk with you about anything," Taylor said in a news release. "In 20 years, your boss will not remember all the extra time you put in at work, but your children will."

Hunt, Dukewits, Williams and Taylor will be recognized at the annual Good Dads banquet in September. Baker said each father will receive a gift $250 in value and a full table at the banquet for friends, family or colleagues.

Baker founded Good Dads in 2015 with the mission, "help kids one dad at a time." The nonprofit instills its mission by providing fatherhood classes, counseling, community development and online resources.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Good Dads recognized 4 local men as Outstanding Fathers of the Year