ELIZABETHTOWN — Garrtis “Pistol” McLean was honored by Bladen County commissioners with a proclamation of special recognition and appreciation “for his accomplishments, love of community, and county and for working many years for the betterment of his community.”

McLean owns Cape Fear Turf Farm, an 800-acre sod farm with 12 full-time employees. He’s also known for his softball days, and is in the Peters Creek Softball Hall of Fame. Chairman Charles Ray Peterson read the proclamation and made the presentation.

The following is the text of the proclamation:

In Honor of Garrtis “Pistol” McLean

Proclamation

Whereas, Garrtis McLean was born on August 1, 1959 in Bladen County to Cicero and Lettie McLean, and is a member of the New Beginnings Holiness Church in Clarkton, and

Whereas, as a child Mr. McLean earned the nickname “Pistol”. He attended East Arcadia Elementary School and graduated with a 97.3 grade point average from East Bladen High School, and

Whereas, Mr. McLean served his community and county coaching softball for over twenty years. During this time, Mr. McLean was inducted into the Peters Creek Softball hall of fame, and

Whereas, Mr. McLean was employed with Oakland Plantation Turf Farm for twenty-five years, serving thirteen of those years as Farm Manager, and

Whereas, after more than twenty-five years in the sod farm industry, Mr. McLean was inspired to start his own business. In 2000, Mr. McLean was presented an opportunity and accepted the challenge. Cape Fear Turf Farm was founded, with assets of twenty-five acres of sod and two employees, including himself, and,

Whereas, Mr. McLean has grown this business into an 800-acre sod farm, employing twelve full-time employees, and is now one of the largest producers of warm season grasses in the southeastern region of North Carolina. He is the first known African American sod producer in Bladen & Columbus Counties, and

Whereas, Mr. McLean’s mission at Cape Fear Turf Farm is to first and foremost acknowledge Jesus Christ our Savior who is the foundation of his company, to provide a superior quality product with superb customer service and create a family-friendly atmosphere where customers and employees can both benefit, and

Whereas, Mr. McLean is a devoted father, active member of New Beginnings Holiness Church, serving as a Sunday school teacher, and a student of God’s Word, and author of The Canaan Promise: Fighting for the Promise.

Now therefore be it proclaimed that on behalf of the Bladen County Board of Commissioners, special recognition and appreciation is hereby given to Garrtis “Pistol” McLean for his accomplishments, love of community, and county and for working many years for the betterment of his community.

Adopted this 20th day of May, 2019.

Alan Wooten | Bladen Journal
Garrtis ‘Pistol’ McLean (holding award) was honored by Bladen County commissioners with a proclamation of special recognition and appreciation ‘for his accomplishments, love of community, and county and for working many years for the betterment of his community.’ McLean owns Cape Fear Turf Farm, an 800-acre sod farm with 12 full-time employees. He’s also known for his softball days, and is in the Peters Creek Softball Hall of Fame. Chairman Charles Ray Peterson (front) read the proclamation and made the presentation. Behind them are commissioners Ray Britt, Ashley Trivette, Michael Cogdell (not seen), Russell Priest, David Gooden, Arthur Bullock, Daniel Dowless and Dr. Ophelia Munn-Goins (not seen). With McLean are his wife, Rhonda Gaskins McLean, and his daughter, Brandi McLean.
https://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_commissioners-pistol-052419.jpgAlan Wooten | Bladen Journal
Garrtis ‘Pistol’ McLean (holding award) was honored by Bladen County commissioners with a proclamation of special recognition and appreciation ‘for his accomplishments, love of community, and county and for working many years for the betterment of his community.’ McLean owns Cape Fear Turf Farm, an 800-acre sod farm with 12 full-time employees. He’s also known for his softball days, and is in the Peters Creek Softball Hall of Fame. Chairman Charles Ray Peterson (front) read the proclamation and made the presentation. Behind them are commissioners Ray Britt, Ashley Trivette, Michael Cogdell (not seen), Russell Priest, David Gooden, Arthur Bullock, Daniel Dowless and Dr. Ophelia Munn-Goins (not seen). With McLean are his wife, Rhonda Gaskins McLean, and his daughter, Brandi McLean.

Bladen Journal