One man has been lifting spirits in the hallways at Cherryville HS for decades
CHERRYVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Like any important first introduction, this story starts with a hello, a fist bump, and a “How are you?”
Sometimes, it’s between passing periods, before the lunch bell, or right in the middle of class. At one point or another, everyone at Cherryville High School gets to know Lee Roy Montgomery.
“They all know me,” said Lee Roy.
Some have known him for years.
“My whole life, I’ve known Lee Roy,” said high school junior, Roy Powers.
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Others have known him for years.
“That’s a picture of Lee Roy right there with me and my wife at one of his birthday celebrations,” said Athletic Director Scott Harrill.
“Sometimes, it’s a little disconcerting how everyone knows who he is. I don’t know how they know who he is, but they do,” said history teacher Lance Holt.
Lee Roy has been a janitor at the high school since 1992. Before that, he graduated from there in ’82.
These hallways and rooms have been his home for more than 30 years.
“I love it. This is my home away from home. I love it,” said Lee Roy.
When he’s not cleaning or chatting, he’s at baseball practice. Or, he’s washing cars. Then, it’s back to work. He is all over Cherryville, literally.
But there’s still the question- why do so many know Lee Roy?
“He’s always smiling, regardless of what he’s doing. Even mopping the floors, he’s got a smile on his face,” said CHS junior Ava Miller.
Some said he has a way of noticing when people are feeling down.
“I guess he’s got a special sense or something,” said Senior Class President Caleb Hovis.
Others point to his work ethic.
“You look at him and you don’t look down on him. He’s a custodian, but people look up to him around our town,” said Scott.
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But the real reason so many people know Lee Roy is because he gets to know them.
“If you’re around Lee Roy, he knows you. He says ‘Hey’ to you, speaks to you. He’s an all-around great guy,” said Scott. “I do get emotional.”
Lee Roy happily gives and gives without asking for anything in return.
“His heart. His heart. It’s so big. You can barely find people like that in this world. You’ve got to cherish those people when you find them,” said Caleb.
Lee Roy has always been this way. Class after class of high school students can testify to that.
So, we are very happy to make this special introduction.
If you didn’t before, now you know Lee Roy.
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