Distinguished Alumnus 2007

Dick Flatt Mexia Exes’ Distinguished Alumnus

By Bob Wright-Editor

Richard Neal Flatt was named Distinguished Alumnus of the Year by the Mexia Ex-Students Association, and was so recognized during pre-game ceremonies Friday night at Black Cat Field.

Richard Neal Flatt? He’s Dicky Flatt, or Stick Flatt, if you prefer - all one and the same - and a 1960 graduate of Mexia High School, followed by graduation on May 17, 1964, with a Bachelor of Science degree from Sam Houston State University. Dicky, oft-quoted by Phil Gramm during the latter’s time in the hallowed halls of Congress, is the son of the late Leon and Jane Flatt. He’s married to the former Linda Ennis Matthews, and they have two sons - Clinton Wayne (Clint) Flatt and Richard Douglas (Doug) Flatt. Dick and his wife have five grandchildren - Analise, 6; Tucker, 3, and Finn Flatt, four months (children of Doug); and granddaughter, Molly Michelle, 9, and grandson Tyler Dean Flatt, 11 (chldren of Clint).

Dicky Flatt is involved in, and has in the past been involved in so many endeavors for church (he’s a member of First Presbyterian Church), community and in the furtherance of youth issues, much of which has been his work as a Scouter. Dicky served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1967 until Dec. 12, 1971, honorably discharged as a Captain, and immediately joined the workforce of Bennett Printing Company in Dallas, serving there until 1972 when he joined the family firm, Flatt Stationers, Inc., established by his parents.

From 1972 on he has been with Flatt’s, serving as Vice-president from ‘92 until 1994, and became President of the firm in 1995, a position he continues to hold. His service to his church has run the gamut - Ordained as an Elder in 1969, served on the Presbyterian Session numerous times, has chaired all of the church’s committees, served in all offices for Men of the Church organization, has taught Sunday School, Bible Study teacher, and has been heavily involved for over 20 years in the Thursday mornings’ Community Prayer Breakfasts. One of the more out-front area of service today is his work with Navarro College, in which he serves as the NC Foundation as Vice-president.

Flatt became an Eagle Scout in 1957 and was recipient of the coveted Silver Beaver Award in 1991. He was Scoutmaster of Troop 670 from 1980 until 1989. Other civic endeavors of service by Dicky Flatt include twice-President of the Mexia Lions Club, which has named him Lion of the Year on three occasions; is a Lifetime Member of the Mexia Parent-Teachers Association (PTA); each year is a Limestone County Youth Livestock Buyer; a DARE supporter; is involved in the Limestone County War on Drugs, and is also involved in the DECA Vocational Programs.

He’s a participant in the Academic Sweater Fund each year, holds memberships in the Texas Association of Community Schools, the Printing and Imaging Association of Texas, and the National Federation of Independent Business. The Distinguished Alumnus for 2007 is on the Mexia Chamber of Commerce board of directors, is in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, was Mexia Citizen of the Year in 1984, is on the board of directors for Centex Association for Retarded Citizens (from 1996 until the present), was in the Mexia Industrial Foundation, the Downtown Merchants Association and the General Mexia Hospital Board.

For over 10 years, his name has been at the forefront of Mexia blood drives, for which he serves as Red Cross Blood Drive Coordinator for Mexia. Dick says he’s “retired” as a Little League umpire, as well as from the Mexia Baseball Association which he has served as Vice-president. The Flatt family and Flatt’s Stationers has long supported many youth groups, teams and individuals, and other civic organizations in the community - for 70 years.