David Shively learned many things growing up on a dairy farm in Schuyler County in northern Missouri. One was the importance of family. Another was how faith can provide a strong foundation for life.
Another was this: Don't be afraid of hard work.
Perhaps it just comes naturally when you milk cows twice a day and feed and shear sheep, but it's something Shively has carried with him into his career in Fulton. And it's just one of the reasons he is being honored with the Settler's Award at the Kingdom of Callaway Supper March 5 at William Woods University.
Shively, 63, and his wife, Mary, both CPAs, moved to Fulton in 1979. He purchased Keckeley and Rentschler Accounting and Tax Service and, since then, has grown the business from four to nine employees.
"We're here by choice, not by birth," Shively said. "But I'm glad we're here. We've gotten to know a lot of great people in Callaway County."
The Settlers Award is presented each year at the supper to someone who has contributed to the Callaway County community but was not born in the county.
"This has been a great place to raise a family," he said.
Another Callaway County allure: It's nice to live in a place small enough so you know the parents of your children's friends.
"It's safe here," Shively added. "All three of our children had paper routes."
Son Adam is now a CPA in San Diego. Travis is a CPA in Washington, Illinois. And Brent is a solutions analyst in Portland, Oregon.
When Shively moved here, he wasted little time in immersing himself fully into the community. Over the past 40 years, he has been active in many groups and organizations.
At the Kiwanis Club, he has served as treasurer, president and board member. Shively is especially proud of the work the Kiwanis Club does in giving scholarships to Callaway County school children.
"That's a great feeling to be a part of that," he said.
He also held the elected position of treasurer for the City of Fulton for several years.
Shively is a long-time member and past president of the Fulton Board of Associates, which supports local colleges. He also has served for years as solicitor for the annual College Fund Drive.
Since 1987, Shively has been on the board of directors for The Callaway Bank, currently chairing the bank's audit committee.
Perhaps nothing is more important to Shively than faith. He and Mary are members of the First Baptist Church in Fulton, and Shively has taken on many roles there. He currently is deacon and is moderator of the church's business meetings, serves on the finance committee and also works with the Awana children's program.
Despite all the activities Shively is involved in, this accountant does have a time when he doesn't participate very much.
"I've missed a lot of stuff because of tax season," he added. "I'm a terrible member of anything at tax time."
Tickets for the Kingdom of Callaway Supper on March 5 are $15 each. Tickets can be purchased at The Callaway Bank or the Callaway County Chamber of Commerce. Or, visit kingdomofcallawaysupper.com.-