Ed Thacker was a gentleman craftsman with our club for many years, who was very dedicated to building dioramas, especially if that of the Old West. His dioramas were always conveying rich stories that were a marvel to see. A good diorama tells a story. A great diorama makes you feel the emotion of that story. That is exactly what Ed's Dioramas did. His legacy lives on through the Ed Thatcher Memorial Award for Best Storyteller Diorama. This award is not intended for the best built diorama but rather which diorama which best tells the story.  The picture below is his diorama titled "The Storyteller".

 Kelly Crawford was a long time member and former president of IPMS Houston.  His model building interests included just about all WWII & WWI aircraft - particularly Spitfires &  BF109's, but he really loved all of aviation. He knew a great deal on aviation subjects and it was a pleasure to listen to him get on a “roll”. He could and would quote “scripture & verse” for just about any aviation subject.  Perhaps he was most proud of his ability to modify kits; to make them "correct".   He had always set a high standard for all to meet.

 Joe German was a long time member and former president of IPMS Houston.  He was a retired MSgt. U.S. Air Force Reserve with a passion for F-4 Phantoms as well as any and all U.S. Armor. A retired middle school teacher who was a more than an accomplished model builder.  It is only appropriate that his memory is carried on in the Junior Award.   Passing his teaching on to the youth of today.