D. (Gus) Parker *

Illustrious Sir D. "Gus" Parker

Potentate - 1946

“All for one, and one for all” was Illustrious Potentate A. D. “Gus” Parker’s slogan for 1946, and it was truly one of the greatest years Arabia Temple ever had to this date. With a record increase in membership of 1,080, the Temple’s membership had gone over the 5,000 mark with a total of 5,200 members. Two new Shrine Clubs were organized at Crockett and Wharton bringing the Temple’s total to seven Shrine Clubs. The Chanters were organized in 1946, and the Temple now had five units. Although not a unit, the Luncheon Club was proving very popular by having capacity attendance every Tuesday at noon in the dining room.

Another record was established by the Crippled Children’s Ball. The seven Shrine Clubs all had benefit activities and Arabia’s golfers conducted a golf tournament that raised $2,800. With veterans returning from service, attendance at the stated meetings was increasing all the time. A committee was appointed by Potentate Parker to look into the feasibility of providing a new building. The committee reported at year end that although the Temple was outgrowing the present facilities, construction costs were too high to take any action at this time.

Arabia Temple’s Crippled Children Board of Trustees authorized the Temple to launch a drive to raise $500,000 for the construction of a new Crippled Children’s Clinic to be built in the Medical Center. The drive was launched on September 6, 1946, and in less than 10 days, $541,092.25 was raised for the construction of the new hospital.

On October 6, it was “Shrine Day” at the Huntsville Prison Rodeo. The Uniformed Units entertained the crowd prior to the show. All-State was in Galveston, but Arabia did not participate due to circus activities at home. A bingo party in May attracted a huge crowd. Over 5,000 of Shrinedom’s family attended a barbecue and rodeo at Noble E. H. Marks’ LH-7 Ranch in Barker, Texas.

After a long absence, the Uniformed Units accompanied Potentate Parker to the Imperial meetings in San Francisco, California in July. Traveling is an 18-car special train, the Nobles and ladies all enjoyed a fine trip. The units participated in both parades. With great new acts, Arabia Temple's annual circus was again successful. The annual Christmas Party at the Mosque concluded a very fine year.