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Notes:
As a young physical director at the Selma (Ala.) YMCA , Paul Grist was a strong force in the development of the Blue Ridge Leaders School. Fifteen years later, in 1934, he was promoted to general secretary in Selma, and remained there until his retirement in 1964. During WWII he served simultaneously as the director of the YMCA and the USO/YMCA Club in Selma. In Selma, he established Camp McGee and Camp Grist. He also acted as dean of the YMCA Blue Ridge Physical Leaders School. He was a long-time member of the Rotary Club, serving as president and as a member of several local and international committees. He received an honorary doctor of humanities degree from the University of Alabama. The Valley Creek State Park in Selma was renamed the Paul M. Grist State Park in his honor.
