Drive-by parade celebrates Lions member’s 55 years of service, 93rd birthday during tough year

A Maplewood-Oakdale Lions Clubs member celebrated 55 years of service, close to his 93rd birthday, while battling cancer.

To celebrate his more than a half a century of volunteering, and being one year closer to turning 100, Floyd Espelien had a car-parade filled with Lions Clubs members from across the state.

“I just couldn’t believe that,” Espelien told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS after the parade of cars drove by.

A man of few words, when asked about his years volunteering with the Lions, Espelien said overall it’s been, “good.” When asked how 2020 has been, he said, “tough.” Espelien is turning 93 this year and has been battling a form of bone marrow cancer.

Surrounded by friends and family, Saturday was a good day during this tough year as he waved to fellow Lions members thanking him for his service. We asked him if he had any advice for people curious about volunteering — just as he did in 1965, he said his advice is to go for it.

“Pick the one you want and stick with it,” Espelien added.

Information on how you can become a Lion — and to see how the organization has adjusted to service their community safely – can be found here.