King of the county: Hargitt earns citizen of year honor from Chamber
Joe Hargitt, right, receives congratulations from Mike Parker, left, and Judy Jones during the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce’s 108th annual award presentation Thursday at the Kinston Country Club. Hargitt was named the Chamber’s Citizen of the Year for 2018. Photo by Linda Whittington / Neuse News
By Bryan Hanks
One of Eastern North Carolina’s kindest and most generous individuals received Lenoir County’s most prestigious honor Thursday night at the Kinston Country Club.
Joe Hargitt, the owner of King’s Restaurant, was named the 2018 Citizen of the Year at the 108th annual Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce awards presentation. He joins a long list of previous recipients which include June Cummings (2017), Rob Bizzell (2016), Stephen Hill (2014), Danny Rice (2012), Cam McRae (2008), Bill Ellis (2007), John Marston (2006), Earl Harper (2003), O.A. “Buddy” Ritch (2000), Debbie Chused (1999), and Paul Wellman (1994).
“I’m in awe of all the people who have received this award in the past,” Hargitt said. “To be considered in that group of local heroes is truly amazing.”
Hargitt is a true American success story – he started at King’s as a busboy and worked his way up to buying the popular restaurant from Wilbur King a few years ago. Although they’re not related by blood, King said Hargitt is his son.
“I’ve had him for 30-some years,” King said. “I’ve held his hand the whole time and he’s held mine.”
In his introduction of Hargitt, local columnist Mike Parker was effusive in his praise of the restaurateur.
“Rarely does a fundraiser occur in Kinston and Lenoir County without Joe Hargitt’s involvement,” said Parker, who writes for Neuse News. “His kindness to the CSS Neuse Foundation seems to have no depth.”
Parker also praised Hargitt’s wife, Angie, who is a co-owner of King’s.
Robin Jones, center, was named the Ambassador of the Year by the Chamber. She was announced by Jess Edwards, right, and Judy Jones. Photo by Linda Whittington / Neuse
“In many ways, the true measure of a man is reflected in his wife,” Parker said. “Angie is a testimony to Joe’s character. … They are a team – a whirlwind of good in our community.”
Angie Hargitt said she is very proud of her husband’s heart.
“He is very deserving of this award,” she said. “Marrying Joe is marrying the restaurant and he let me know that early on.”
Kinston attorney Nicholas E. Harvey Sr. was one of the citizens who nominated Hargitt. He said he’s known Hargitt for 15 years and has always exhibited characteristics of honesty, hard work and respect for others.
“I would like to highlight his willingness to employ persons from all cross-sections of our community and his efforts to support the less fortunate in Kinston and citizens of the surrounding areas throughout the year,” Harvey stated in his nomination letter.
David Mooring, a former recipient of the award himself in 2015, also nominated Hargitt.
“I cannot think of another individual who gives more of his time and business assets to assist members of Lenoir and surrounding counties with community service,” Mooring said.
The Chamber also gave out two other awards Thursday night. Robin Jones, of Judy Jones State Farm Insurance, was named the Ambassador of the Year, while Andi Miller of Spirit AeroSystems received the Young Professional of the Year award.
Kinston-Lenoir County Citizens of the Year
1963 – Daniel T. Lilley
1964 – Donald L. Henson
1965 – Lynwood C. Turner
1966 – Neale K. Lawson
1967 – E. Linwood Scott
1968 – Simon C. Sitterson Jr.
1969 – Richard S. Whaley
1970 – Benjamin C. Fountain
1971 – Sol Schechter
1972 – Oscar Greene Jr.
1973 – R.B. Patterson Jr.
1974 – C. Felix Harvey III
1975 – Rose Pully
1976 – John R. Hooten
1977 – Sharon C. Larkins
1978 – Leo Brody
1979 – John R. Poole
1980 – Harold W. Hardison
1981 – Harvey E. Beech
1982 – W. Roy Poole
1983 – H. Fleming Fuller
1984 – T.J. Turner
1985 – P.C. Barwick Jr.
1986 – John Sherman Jr., Virginia C. Evans
1987 – William L. Peedin Jr.
1988 – George C. Harper
1989 – Roland L. Paylor Jr.
1990 – Jesse P. Wooten
1991 – Robert L. Joyner
1992 – Fred Hunneke
1993 – Vernon H. Rochelle
1994 – Paul W. Wellman
1995 – Jack P. Hankins
1996 – Jack A. Harrell
1997 – Annette T. West
1998 – Junius H. Rose Jr.
1999 – Debbie R. Chused
2000 – Mary Mac Ritch, O.A. “Buddy” Ritch
2001 – Andy Culpepper
2002 – Kay T. Harrell
2003 – Earl Harper
2004 – Michael Moseley
2005 – Donald Boldt
2006 – John Marston
2007 – Bill Ellis
2008 – Cameron McRae
2009 – James Tull Hill Jr.
2010 – Richard A. Holder
2011 – Gary Black
2012 – Danny Rice
2013 – Paul L. Jones
2014 – Stephen B. Hill
2015 – Wilma Robinson Boldt, David Lee Mooring
2016 – William Robert “Rob” Bizzell
2017 – June S. Cummings
2018 – Joe Hargitt
Kinston-Lenoir County Ambassadors of the Year
1999 – Pamela Byrd
2000 – Michelle Lempin
2001 – Edna Potter
2002 – Carol Cobia
2003 – Carolyn I. Hardy
2004 – Amanda Hill
2005 – G. Scott Barwick
2006 – Jay Conner
2007 – Margaret Williams
2008 – Jessica Lail Wilson
2009 – Joan Machamer
2010 – Lyndon Fuller
2011 – Jane Wynne
2012 – Molly Taylor
2013 – Jacques Passailaique
2014 – Jared Edwards, Jeanene McBride
2015 – Carmon Jones
2016 – Danielle Howell, Philippe Wouters
2017 – Christa M. Davis
2018 – Robin Jones
Young Professionals of the Year
2009 – Becky L. Hines
2010 – Tonya Adams
2011 – B.J. Murphy
2012 – Chris Raines
2013 – Ashley Chadwick
2014 – Tony Sears
2015 – Coleman Becton
2018 – Andi Miller
