If you’ve ever wondered if one person alone can make an impact, then you should pick up the Tuesday, Oct. 29, edition of the Butler Eagle.

Within the pages of that edition, you’ll see two stories written about Butler County residents who lived lives that made an impact.

The Tuesday edition of the paper featured Randy Thomas, who was known as “the tractor guy,” someone who would and could fix tractors of all sorts for his family, friends and neighbors.

His impact was made clear as farmers across the area changed their plans on a nice autumn day to attend a parade for their friend.

“This is harvest time right now. Everybody should be in the field, but everybody quit for the day to come support Randy,” said Cory Fox, parade organizer. “So it's definitely a great turnout.”

Also featured in the Tuesday print edition was Bradey Duncan. 21, who died in a car crash in Clearfield Township.

“Everybody that he came in contact with … they just loved him,” said Deborah Duncan, Bradey’s grandmother.

Duncan had worked as a camp counselor for two summers at Breakthrough Butler and helped manage the organization’s before- and after-school programs before taking a job at Dollar General.

Yannotty remembered Duncan as “very passionate about having it be a safe place that's truly welcome for all to use, regardless of background or where they're coming from.”

We have no doubts that Thomas and Duncan will be remembered by those who they met.

Perhaps its fitting their stories ran in the same edition that featured a history series in Cranberry Township. These two men really impacted their community. They led lives that will be remembered and are an important part of local history.

— TL