Live for today, fight for tomorrow – that is the motto of the 2011 Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year, Ian Lockwood.
“He’s just so humble about it. He doesn’t expect it. When I told him he won the award, he asked me why,” said Denise Lockwood, Ian’s mother.
Lockwood was named Citizen of the Year during the annual award and installation banquet held Jan.15 because he has been an inspiration to the Navarre community for the past year and a half. Lockwood was not present to accept the award from the 2010 Citizen of the Year, Charlene Mauro. The award was presented at a later date.
“While not planning to or meaning to, he pulled together the Navarre area community in a very meaningful way. We are astounded by this young man’s energy and enthusiasm,” said Mauro.
Though diagnosed with cancer in July 2009, Lockwood did not bow down.  He has fought it every step of the way.
After doctors removed the grade 3 astrocytoma tumor, Lockwood went through rounds of radiation and chemotherapy to put the cancer into remission. In May of last year, it looked like it worked. Doctors removed his chemo port in June.
In October, the cancer was back. Lockwood continued to fight the cancer and live with enthusiasm. Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, he went snowboarding with Olympic gold medalist Shaun White. Most recently, he had another dream come true while visiting White Sands Missile Range with his father Ken. Lockwood received an aerial tour of the testing site and the national monument.
“I think that is what God’s plan is for me.  My plan in life is to show life is special and should not be taken for granted and that He is in control of it all.  Happiness and success is found through him,” said Ian on his Facebook.
Donations can be made to support the Lockwood family by calling the Navarre Regions and asking for the Ian Lockwood Account.