Lion Sid L. Scruggs III was elected 2nd vice president of the International Association of Lions Clubs at the 91st convention in Bangkok, Thailand. He served as a past international director from 2000-2002.
The international officer is a retired commercial airline pilot.
A member of the Vass Lions club, Lion Scruggs has held many offices within the Association, including club president, multiple district extension chairman and district governor. In addition he has served on the board of directors of the North Carolina Lions Foundation. He served two years as an Area Impact Leader for new clubs and recently served as chairperson for the worldwide Mission 30 Team for International President Ashok Mehta's "Plus-One" program.
Scruggs has been a presenter at the USA/Canada and Europa Leadership Forums and an instructor for the Lions Clubs International Leadership Institute, the Southeastern Leadership School and the International District Governor-elect School.
In recognition of his service to the association, Vice President Scruggs has received numerous awards, including four Lion of the Year awards, the 100% Club President Award, eight New Club Extension Awards, the Guiding Lion Award, the Governor of Excellence Award, the Key of Nations Award, three International President’s Certificates of Appreciation, an International President’s Leadership Award, six International President’s Awards and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor the association gives to its members. He is also a 10 diamond Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow.
In addition to his Lions activities, Scruggs is active in numerous professional and community organizations. He is chairperson of the Governor Morehead School for the Blind Board of Directors, a member of the board of directors for the Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind, Inc. a life member of the North Carolina Lions Foundation, a life member of the American Airlines Grey Eagles Association and a life member of the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association.
Vice President Scruggs is a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. The honor is presented to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the State of North Carolina. It is among the most prestigious awards presented by the governor of North Carolina.
Scruggs and his wife, Judy, also a Lion and a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow, have four children and 15 grandchildren.
Upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy in 1960, Ensign Sid Scruggs was assigned to teach sailing and seamanship at the academy to help the incoming class of midshipmen. Later that year, Scruggs began flight training in Pensacola, Florida. After completing training, he was assigned to Attack Squadron 196 and was deployed to Southeast Asia and Vietnam for two tours aboard a naval aircraft carrier. Scruggs served as the avionics division officer, weapons training officer and served on the carrier’s nuclear safety board.
Scruggs served as a personal aide and Flag Lieutenant to Admiral R.B. Moore, commander of Task Force 77. Later he served as an aide to Admiral Marshall White and Admiral James Reedy. Returning from shore duty, Scruggs was assigned as an instructor at the Advanced Jet Training Command in Beeville, Texas. There he was nominated as instructor of the year.
While Scruggs initially planned to enter Test Pilot School, he decided to retire from the Navy and pursue a career as a commercial airline pilot. He retired as a Lieutenant Commander. Scruggs was employed by American Airlines where he flew several different types of aircraft and became a Flight Standards Superintendent. He flew as an international captain and retired from American Airlines in 1998.
Along with Lions Judy and Sid L. Scruggs III are their children: Sid L. Scruggs IV, Cyndi Ball, Debbie Risteen and Kevin Scruggs. Sid and Judy have 15 grand children.
