A fine public recognition that the Chattanooga Bar Association gives annually to a “non-lawyer” is the Liberty Bell Award. It spotlights an outstanding citizen whose unselfish community service has strengthened our system of law.
This year the Liberty Bell Award was given to Skipper Fairbanks.
Mr. Fairbanks, a graduate of the University of Chattanooga, served as a probation officer for the U.S. District Court for East Tennessee for 28 years before his retirement.
He also taught and coached at Red Bank Middle School, where he was named Middle School Football Coach of the Year four times and Baseball Coach of the Year five times. He has been a longtime member of Red Bank Methodist Church, where he has taught Sunday School for more than half a century.
Mr. Fairbanks has been an outstanding member of our community and of great service to countless young people and many others.