CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. – John Lawrence Tunnell is a face that the community in Morehead City will always remember. He's known as "The Memory Man," and his friends say he never forgets a face.

Tunnell celebrated his 90th birthday in December. To show their appreciation, friends and family organized a drive-by birthday celebration. Tunnell met many of the people who attended his party at the Sanitary Restaurant in Morehead City. He started working there 75 years ago in 1945.

When the pandemic began, doctors told Tunnell that he had to quit his job for now. Coronavirus was too much of a risk for someone who has had a few heart attacks and open heart surgery. However, Tunnell is hoping to go back to work as soon as he can.

“I hope they'll hire me back. They haven't asked me for my key yet,” he says.

In the meantime, friends and family honked and waved as almost 100 cars made their way past Tunnell's front porch. He's had a lot of influence in the community.

“People could fill an arena to pay tribute to John Tunnell,” says Frank Timberlake, one of Tunnell's friends.

Timberlake has known Tunnell since he first ate at the Sanitary Restaurant when he was 10 years old.

“He and his family, they think about others first. And now here today, this is a chance that they get to see others, how much others care about them,” Timberlake says.

As a gift to Tunnell, the mayor announced that December 13 would officially be known as John Tunnell Day in Morehead City.