Railroad Person of the Year 2023 Michael Amidon
Michael Amidon has been chosen as the 2023 Railroad Person of the Year. The award is sponsored by Durand Union Station, Inc. in conjunction with Durand Railroad Days.
Michael (Mike) Amidon is a second-generation Grand Trunk Railroad employee and 1967 Durand graduate.
Mike grew up south of town with railroad tracks running right behind his back porch on Hiller Street. As a young adult Mike saved a high school student whose leg was run over while trying to hop on a train. He made a tourniquet and kept the man company until medical personnel arrived.
Mike started his career as a billing clerk at the Durand location his senior year of high school. After one year under his belt, he enlisted in the Navy where he served his country for four years. When he returned his position on the railroad was waiting for him.
Mike worked in Durand for many years until that location shut down, moving him to Flint, Detroit, and Troy as a billing clerk, commercial motor vehicle payroll employee, and customer service yard clerk. After 42 years working for Grand Trunk Railroad/Canadian National Railroad Mike retired in 2009. He was dedicated to his job commuting daily from his Bancroft residence.
Mike is an active member of AMVETS Post 2273 where he volunteers for several community events and fundraisers such as the Special Olympics, Poker card dealer, Adopt-A-Highway, Participant in patriot guard, and funeral service honor guard with the AMVETS Riders.
Mike and his wife Mary (Gooding) Amidon still reside in the Durand area where they raised two daughters that were also Durand High School graduates.
Past Railroad Person of the Year
2022 Mike Mowen
20/21 Stan Dungerow
2019 Richard Crandall
2018 Jerry Chapman
2017 Rod Baker
2016 Neil Randall
2015 Richard Dean Craven
2014 Jerry Mowen
2013 Larry Riddle
2012 James Vandendries
2011 Sue Hatherill
2010 Cliff & Marie Semple
2009 Don Gray
2008 Herbert Scrivener
2007 David Lewis
2006 Philip Perri
2005 Robert "Brake Shoe" Brancheau
2004 Jon Hayes
2003 Pat Post
2002 Robert Buck
2001 William "Mac" McLaughlin
2000 Ray Russell
1999 James Mohn
1998 Forest C. Hines
1997 Wayne N. Roddy
1996 J.J. Casady
1995 Chester "Chet" Liestenfeltz
1994 Margaret Powell
1993 John Walworth
1992 Lloyd Russell
1991 Ernie Spicer
1990 Earl Hart
1989 Sherwood Weichner
1988 Clare Jewell
1987 Lloyd Eicher
1986 Perry Parsall
1985 Clyde Hayes
1984 Arthur VanRiper
1983 Tracy McClure
1982 Anthony "Tony" Kolman
1981 Noble Haver
1980 Ora Goul
1979 Eddie Crane
1978 Frederick Tranzrow
1977 Glenn Willie
