Marler W. Owen *
Illustrious Sir Marler W. Owen
Potentate - 1984
The beautiful “Extraordinaire Oriental Fantasy” Inaugural Ball in January ushered in the 69th Arabia Potentate, Marler W. Owen, and his Lady Joy. The theme was “We Will Soar in ’84”.
The year 1984 was a year of Masonic Movement. Arabia Shrine Temple and the Scottish Rite Bodies joined together to form a Masonic Center, joined by a common wall. This became the first such building in the U.S. Using money from the sale of certain structural facilities to the Scottish Rite, we were able to add a mezzanine floor to the North section of Arabia Mosque and were also able to add additional rooms to the existing South mezzanine floor, enabling all units to have their own meeting rooms within the mosque.
The T. S. A. Divan Mid-Winter meeting was held in Corpus Christi on March 3-5, and Arabia’s Clown Jewels hosted their Texas Clown Association in Houston on March 15-17. An Imperial Seminar for all Temple Divans was held in St. Louis on March 18-20, immediately followed there with the Imperial Shrine Directors Meeting on the 21st through the 23rd. A successful circus, headed by Chairman and Chief Rabban W. E. “Bill” Silber, was held beginning on April 26th, and ending on May 6th. The children’s Easter Egg Hunt was held at the Double Eagle Ranch on Sunday, April 22.
A new Imperial membership award was started during this year — a distinct white cap to be worn by nobles bringing in new candidates. 482 new nobles were initiated into the Yaban Club.
The Potentate’s Lady’s Luncheon, with an “Oriental Splendor” theme, was held at the Summit Club on May 19th, honoring First Lady Joy Owen. This month also included the Harry S. Truman Ceremonial, honoring the former President, Grand Master and Shriner.
The Texas Shrine Association All-State was held in Ft. Worth, June 7-10, during which many trophies were won by the participating units. The Imperial Session was held in Boston, MA, but Arabia’s units did not participate. The session was July 1-6.
Following the usual summer vacation period, temple activities started again with the Family Picnic held at the Double Eagle Ranch on August 19th. Hospital Benefit Day was Saturday, September 29th, followed by the Hospital Benefit Dance on October 6th, and Benefit Casino Night on the 12th.
The Shriners’ Crippled Children’s Classic Run was held on December 2nd. The ground breaking for the new Masonic Center was held on December 16th, with the children’s Christmas Party on the 23rd.
This year saw the closing of the circus at the Coliseum for the last time, with it being held next year at the Astroarena. One highlight of the year was the establishment of the Masonic Center on our property, becoming the show case of North America in Masonic Brotherhood. The ground breaking ceremonies were attended by Grand Master of Masons in Texas, G. R. “Bob” Scott, Imperial Potentate Gene Bracewell, along with many other leaders of appendant bodies in Masonry.
As this year closed, Potentate Owen and Lady Joy knew it had been a year of many notable events and pleasures. Appreciation was expressed to his staff, and to all nobles for their work and cooperation. There were many unit and Shrine Club dances and events and “Marlo” game nights for the enjoyment of nobles and their ladies.
