Doyle Stuckey *
Illustrious Sir Doyle Stuckey
Potentate - 1967
“This 1967 administration has adopted the theme ‘This is the Year to Build From Within’,” said Potentate Doyle Stuckey in his first message to the Nobility. It was Public Officials night at the March Stated Meeting with a fine group of City and County officials in attendance.
For his official visit to Arabia Temple, Imperial Potentate Orville F. Rush arrived on March 26th for “Shrine Week in Houston”. On March 27th, the Crippled Children’s Pageant and Search for Stars program was presented at the Music Hall and proved to be an outstanding event. Arabia Temple was host to the Shrine Directors Association of North America from March 28th to 31st. With more than 5,000 visiting Shriners, plus Arabia’s membership, it was the largest convention ever held in Texas. The convention was preceded by a Seminar School of Instruction at the Shamrock Hotel. The Spring Ceremonial, held at the Coliseum on March 30th, attracted a good class of novices, and this great week of Shrine activity closed on March 31st with Shrine Night at the Astrodome for a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Houston Astros - the Astros won.
Temple activity prevailed in April with Playo parties, Unit Spring dances, and visitations to Shrine Clubs.
The Temple mourned the death of Illustrious Robert W. Milner, Jr., Potentate in 1947, on May 4, 1967.
Another Temple first was introduced at the May Stated Meeting when members of the Potentate’s Staff presented Potentate Stuckey with his official Potentate’s flag. A vacation ceremonial on May 27th attracted 50 new members for Arabia Temple.
El Paso was the site for All-State in 1967. Over 400 Nobles and ladies made this trip and were hosted by the Potentate at the beautiful Juarez Racetrack in old Mexico for dinner and the races. In unit competition the Band was awarded first place; the Motor Corps and Arabian Knights won second place trophies; and the Golfers brought home two awards. At the Imperial sessions in Washington, D. C., Noble Thomas F. Seay was elected Imperial Potentate. President Lyndon B. Johnson reviewed the parade from the Shriners Reviewing Stand which was located directly across the street from the White House.
The annual Circus was a tremendous success in every respect. A new promotion, Circus Dad’s Club, was introduced for the first time and enabled thousands of underprivileged children to see the Circus. A weekend at the Rice Hotel for all new Nobles and their ladies attracted 100 new members at the Fall Ceremonial on November 18th.
