Montgomery County officials celebrated Judge Craig Doyal's last Montgomery County Commissioners Court of the year Dec. 18. It was also Precinct 4 Commissioner Jim Clark's last meeting before the two positions are replaced in January 2019 by incoming Judge Mark Keough and Commissioner James Metts.

Terri Jaggers, president and chair of the Montgomery County Child Welfare board of directors, gave a special proclamation of appreciation to Doyal.

"I was here the day you [became] a commissioner, I was here the day you were sworn in as county judge," Jaggers said. "You've always been someone Montgomery County Child Services can count on ... On behalf of the Montgomery County CPS board and all of us who love you, we wish you the best."

Doyal was presented with a plaque reading, "Whatever you do for the least of these, you did for me," a reference to Doyal's creation of Adoption Day, which Jaggers said is now a Montgomery County tradition.

Clark, diagnosed in early 2018 with cancer during the primaries, announced at the Dec. 18 meeting he is officially cancer-free. He also said he plans to return to private-sector real estate.

"The reason I'm here today is for public service, and the reason I won't be here Jan. 1 is because of politics," Clark said. "The last cancer report, it was all clear, I just got to get my health back up ... I have no intentions of going anywhere. I wish the elect all the best, and I look forward to a prosperous 2019."

County officials and employees awarded trophies, plaques and gifts to each other before signing two poster cards for outgoing Doyal and Clark.

Before adjourning the meeting Doyal said Montgomery County is in great shape and thanked all the commissioners and his staff.

"I encourage you to look forward and make sure Montgomery County continues to be that bright and shining star other communities continue to look to," Doyal said. "On a personal note, I don't care if you remember the roads, I don't care if you remember the buildings, but if in the future you have cause to think of me and should that memory not bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart, I simply wish you not be burdened by my memory at all. Thank you for the privilege of serving."