J. D. (Buddy) Baccus *
Illustrious Sir J. D. "Buddy" Baccus
Potentate - 1988
The first “Arabian” magazine cover for this year had a beautiful colored picture of Illustrious J. D. Buddy Baccus, the 73rd Potentate, and his First Lady, Bettye. Buddy stated that his main goal was to have peace and harmony throughout this entire year and he would cultivate bringing more Masonry into the Shrine. This was a first for Arabia Temple in having a Potentate who was a Past Grand Master of Masons in Texas; a Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Texas, and before the end of this year, he was appointed the Personal Representative of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General and the Chairman of the Advisory Conference for the Valley of Houston Scottish Rite. He was also in line to become the Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas, in 1990.
This year began with the beautiful “Black and White” Inaugural Ball on January 30th in Arabia’s Imperial Ballroom with the Vince Ramos Orchestra furnishing the music. The stage was spectacularly decorated to represent the New Orleans French Quarters and Bourbon Street, complete with Dixie Land Band during intermissions.
On February 2nd to 7th, the Texas Shrine Association Divan Mid-Winter Meeting was held in Amarillo, and on the 21st, the Shriners’ Annual Benefit Golf Tournament was held. On March 11th to the 13th, Arabia hosted the T. S. A. Patrol Association Mid-Winter Session. Arabia’s great and successful circus was held in the Astrodome on April 7th through the 17th. On May 11th, the membership voted approval for a dues increase to $50.00 annually.
The Ladies Luncheon, honoring First Lady Bettye Baccus, was held on May 28th, followed by the Units on Parade on the 29th.
The Texas Shrine Association was in Dallas on June 9th through the 11th, during which several of our units did themselves proud and several competition trophies were won. The Imperial Council Session was held in New Orleans and our Patrol became both State and National Champions again. The Imperial Session was June 26th through the 30th.
On July 31st to August 7th, Buddy and Bettye sponsored a cruise to Alaska, enjoyed by a number of our nobles and ladies. The Temple Picnic was held on October 2nd at the Double Eagle Ranch and on the 18th was Shrine Day at the Astro Baseball Game. October 15th another successful Hospital Benefit Day was held. On December 11th the Family Christmas Party was held and on the 15th, the Shrine Widows’ Party.
The membership voted that the income from the dues increase was to be divided between 60% to the Temple General Fund, with 40% to the Mosque Reserve Fund.
During this year fish fries were sponsored by the following Shrine Clubs: Baytown, San Jacinto, Lufkin and Brazos Valley. Our units participated in seven parades, and our units and clubs held a number of dances during the year. There blood drives were held.
During the year, a dedicated few of the Potentate’s Staff worked and sold food and soft drinks when the PC Users rented facilities at the mosque. They made enough money to pay for our Hospitality Room and the Victory Dance at the T. S. A., and also paid for most of the Hospitality Room at the Imperial Session and still had enough left to purchase several hundred dollars worth of circus for Bill Lane’s circus.
As his year ended, Illustrious Sir Buddy stated that among all the highlights of this year, being Potentate of Arabia Temple was the greatest highlight of them all.
