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Lt/Col. Earl H. Cheek

Mr. Earl Cheek graduated from the University of Georgia in 1937. Later he earned a Masters Degree and obtained an Administrative certificate in 1951. He began teaching in Baker County in 1937. In 1939 Mr. Cheek organized the Blakely FFA Chapter. In 1955 he moved to Perry High School, retiring in 1974. During these thirty-seven years his FFA Chapter received many state and national honors including nineteen Gold Emblem Chapter Awards and five top State Awards. He served as president of GATVA and served in numerous vocational leadership positions. He was recognized in 1974 as Georgia's first Vocational Teacher of the Year (all services). Mr. Cheek served twenty-nine years in the Active Air Force Reserves. He was a World War II Army Air Corps Flight Officer.

After retirement, Mr. Cheek served as Senator Sam Nunn's aide for eight years. He also served as Field Director for Congressman Richard Ray for one year. In 1997 he was recognized as Georgia's Retired Educator of the Year. He has established five educational trusts and set up two college scholarships. Notably, the first of these scholarships is for Agricultural Education Seniors at the University of Georgia for aspiring teachers of Agricultural Education. Mr. Cheek served on the National FFA Alumni Council for three years and is an active member of the Georgia FFA Alumni Association. He has been recognized as an outstanding member of both the Georgia and National FFA Alumni Association.

All members of his family are life members of the FFA Alumni and the University of Georgia Presidents Club, including his grandsons.