Longtime La Jollan is Rotary Club’s 2025 Mr. San Diego

La Jollan Tom Fetter may be 91, but he isn’t particularly interested in stepping away from his work and philanthropic endeavors.

Beyond serving as chief executive of T. Fetter and Co., owner of San Diego Car Care, Fetter has been a board member at some point over the past five decades for the San Diego Yacht Club, The Bishop’s School, Fleet Science Center, San Diego History Center and San Diego Zoo.

He still holds his CEO position, manages commercial real estate and lends his efforts to local groups.

Now he can add the title of Mr. San Diego to his resumè.

The Mr./Mrs./Ms. San Diego award originated with the Grant Club in 1952 and then fell under the San Diego Rotary Club’s responsibility in 1976. It was awarded only to men until being opened to women around 1991.

The award recognizes people who make a positive impact on the community.

Fetter, a member of San Diego Rotary since 1983, will be honored at a luncheon set for noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at Point Loma’s Liberty Station Conference Center.

“At 91, I feel like I’m 65,” Fetter said. “I can still think, reason and write. I can’t physically do everything I used to do, but I still try to play tennis. … I think working is an important thing, if you’re able to do it.”

Fetter grew up in Point Loma before moving to La Jolla in 1959 with his wife, Jane. In 1976, he acquired four car wash and Chevron stations in San Diego, setting off a chain of purchasing, building and selling additional car washes. Today, he operates five locations in the area.

Fetter also is involved in San Diego institutions he feels have been important to him and his family.

One of his long-standing efforts was chairing the San Diego Zoo’s Investment Committee from 1987 to 2013. He now serves as a trustee emeritus for the zoo, as well as a committee member at the Fleet Science Center.

He also donated money and time to a capital campaign for the University of San Diego School of Law in 2008 that drew more than $11 million.

Wendy Urushima-Conn, president of the San Diego Rotary Club, said a committee of past presidents chose Fetter as Mr. San Diego from a “very qualified” group of candidates.

“Each year we get many qualified nominations, but Tom really stood out for his many, many years of experience,” Urushima-Conn said. “[He’s] really just an exemplary community and business leader.”

She also praised Fetter for his kindness, dedication and humility.

“When you look at his work, from the History Center to the zoo to the yacht club, the Fleet Center … he’s always been working on how to make San Diego a better place for everyone here and for generations to come,” Urushima-Conn said.

Fetter said he was humbled by the honor.

“It’s inspiring, for one thing,” he said. “I don’t know why I deserve it more than anybody else, but I am very pleased and honored. And I’ll do my best to justify the selection. …

“I hope other people will be inspired to do things that merit that kind of consideration.”

He and his wife are the parents of daughters JJ and Morgi and son Trevor.