THE DISTRICT 5730 HISTORY
Prepared by the district and not verified by Rotary Global History
Also see Rotary Comes to Texas - 1912
THE ONGOING STORY OF
ROTARY
ON THE TEXAS LLANO
ESTACADO
A Continuation
of the History of
District 5730, Rotary International
By
Thomas
Paige Carruth
Governor, 1971
- 1972
District Historian
1994-1998
Published By
District 5730, Rotary International
1998
CONTENTS
Table of Contents ii
Foreword iii
Preface vi
Photographs of
Governors, 1967 – 1998 ix
Chapter I A Time of Civil Disorder
1968 R. G. Mills 1
1968 - 1969 Jack Rodgers 5
1969 - 1970 Charles Reynolds 12
Chapter II Prelude to Political Disaster
1970 - 1971 Woody Pyeatt
19
1971 - 1972 T. Paige
Carruth 25
1972 - 1973 Farris
Oden 33
Chapter III A
Time of Political Unrest
1973 - 1974 Marshall Formby 42
1974 - 1975 Emil Prohl 51
1975 - 1976 Ralph McLaughlin 58
Chapter IV The Bi-Centennial and Carter Years
1976 - 1977 John Tyler
67
1977 - 1978 A. B. Martin
76
1978 - 1979 Louis
Rochester 84
1979 - 1980 J.
Davis Armistead 93
Chapter V Cracks Appear in the Iron Curtain
1980 - 1981 Wayne
Sturdivant 104
1981 - 1982
John R. Seay 112
1982 - 1983
John R. Collard, Jr. 121
1983
- 1984 John H. Selby 129
Chapter VI Mergers, Buyouts, Takeovers,
Greenmail, and Golden Parachutes
1984 - 1985 Charles Beil 139
1985 - 1986 Jack Biscoe 151
1986 - 1987 Roy Ward 163
Chapter VII The Good, the Bad, and
the Beauty of Rotary
1987 - 1988 Ed Self 173
1988 - 1989 J. D. Cage 186
1989 - 1990 Bob Lewis 196
Chapter VIII Thoughts on Women and Rotary, World
Community Service, and
Apples
1990 - 1991 Bill
Hubbs 209
1991 - 1992 James
E. Cook 222
1992 - 1993
Clifford Breaud 235
Chapter IX Rotary Saves the World with PolioPlus
1993 - 1994 Don Williams
250
1994 - 1995 Charles
“Chuck” LaBarr 268
1995 -
1996 Doyle Moore 283
1996 -
1997 Marvin Sentell 305
Chapter X “The First Ever”
1997 - Feb. ‘98 J. B. Roberts 327
Appendix
I. Rex Webster, PDG, PRID PRIVP 350
II. Ralph McLaughlin, PDG, PRID 354
III. Finances of R.I. and District 5730 360
IV. Boys’ RYLA 364
V.
Girls’ RYLA 366
VI.
Ambassadorial Scholarships 370
VII. Youth Exchange 372
VIII. Group Study Exchange 373
IX. Diabetic Camp 374
X. Friendship Exchange 376
XI. The Apple Orchard 379
XII. Rotary Foundation Contributions 381
XIII. District 5730 Leadership Plan 384
XIV. Sponsoring Clubs and Their Progeny 393
Foreword
In 1968, the history of the first fifty years of Rotary in
what we know today as District 5730 was published. In the Foreword
to that book titled Rotary’s Golden Years on the Texas Llano
Estacado PDG Jimmy Willson, Jr. (1963-64 and 1965-66) wrote, “…. no
generation that forgets its indebtedness to the past is likely to
transmit to the future any worthy heritage.” This current book
continues the history of Rotary in District 5730 in an attempt to
acknowledge our indebtedness and transmit to present and future
generations an understanding and an appreciation for our heritage.
I think no one would
deny that we Rotarians of today stand on the shoulders of those
dedicated giants of Rotary who preceded us. It takes a book such as
this to cause us to fully understand the depth of our debt and the
resulting gratitude.
History is made day by day. It is more than a trite phrase to say,
“time marches on.” It is the task of the historian to chronicle for
us those passing events in a concise manner, in a readable format.
District 5730 is fortunate to have PDG Paige Carruth (1971-72,)
currently living in Amarillo, as editor of this effort. He has spent
untold hours in research and rewrite to bring you this volume. He is
the embodiment of the motto: “Service Above Self.” We trust he can
find truth in our other motto: “He Profits Most Who Serves Best,”
for he has indeed served best the past, present and future
generations of Rotarians in District 5730.
Doyle W. Moore
PDG 1995 - 1996
Amarillo, Texas
Preface
PGD L. E. “Pat”
Patterson’s chronicle Rotary’s Golden Years on the Texas Llano
Estacado documents the first 50 years of Rotary District 5730’s
history. Pat began his history with the establishment of the Rotary
Club of Amarillo in 1917 and covered events through December 31,
1968, the mid-point of District Governor R. G. Mills’ (Amarillo)
year as our governor. This work started with the last half of
Governor Mills term (1968) and extended through eight months of
Governor J. B. Roberts’ term, a span of over thirty years.
Narratives of this sort
usually include some subtle disclaimers, apologies, and excuses.
Mine are not subtle. They are overt. First the disclaimers. This
record cites hundreds upon hundreds of Rotarians and attempts to
credit them with work they accomplished. Almost all of them did the
things attributed to them. A few probably didn’t do anything but got
the credit anyway. Great efforts of individuals and clubs were
undoubtedly overlooked or omitted making this an incomplete account
of the labor put forth toward accomplishing the Object of Rotary.
Some Rotarians revel in hiding their light under a bushel while
others procrastinate in supplying requested information. A pox on
them and may they live in obscurity.
Apologies are due to the spouses of Rotarians, most
of who remain unidentified and unheralded in this story. Spouses
work hard on Rotary projects. They prod, meet, call, remind, write,
accompany, and suffer through things without complaining (very
much.) They are among Rotary’s most valuable assets and their
absence from this documentation is an injustice , which is
profoundly regretted.
And
finally, the excuses. Any history of Rotary is an examination of the
acts of Rotarians, men and women who are asked to do things, or
perhaps conceive and pursue an idea whose time has come. The real
champions of Rotary District 5730 are the club members who make
things happen, but as readers peruse these pages it will seem that
the star is the District Governor. Alas! Governors are the ones who
produced records and those records were primary sources for this
work. Each governor’s year was the focal point for what Rotarians
did during that year. The true heroes of District 5730’s history are
the club members who carried out the tasks delegated to them by
their club officers, district chairs, and/or the governor; the club
members who identified a need and met it; the club members who said,
“Hey, maybe we could work on ……..”
An attempt was made to lessen the number of times some
individual’s names appeared in the document. In the cases of Past
Rotary International Vice President Rex Webster and Past Rotary
International Director Ralph McLaughlin this effort was a dismal
failure. When Rotarians work 48 hours a day on Rotary they leave
tracks and both of these men certainly tracked up the history of
District 5730. Their service records in Rotary appear in the
Appendix and are worth a scan. They are impressive.
Each Rotary year covered
in this history begins with an account of the stories that received
significant treatment in the news media. If you are as old as Rig
Edwards (Sweetwater,) Don Williams (Odessa,) Dudley Faver (Lubbock,)
or George Dupree (Amarillo,) you will remember them. If you are as
young as Jennifer Shirey (Metro Lubbock) or Bart Boxwell (Amarillo,)
some of it will seem like ancient history and should be read. The
purpose of the research of current events was an attempt to put the
work of Rotary depicted in this account in a time frame. It takes up
space but hopefully it will be of interest and helpful to readers.
Almost all of the Past District Governors helped
immensely with this work. Madge Webster, Billye and Ralph
McLaughlin, Earl Wilbur, Sharleen Formby, Davis Armistead, Bob
Lewis, Jim Cook, Cliff Breaud, Walter Johnson, Doyle Moore, the
libraries of West Texas State A&M University, the city of Amarillo,
and the city of Panhandle, and the resources of Rotary International
deserve a pat on the back for their help “over and above” in
providing both primary and secondary sources of information used in
assembling this chronicle. A recommendation to club presidents and
secretaries: Don’t throw anything pertaining to Rotary away!
Finally, readers will note that a positive approach to
our District’s progress was maintained throughout this era. Rotary
is an up-beat, spirited, and optimistic organization. This record of
District 5730 Rotarian’s achievements was intended to be likewise.
Paige Carruth
Amarillo, Texas, 1 March, 1998
CHAPTER I
A TIME OF CIVIL DISORDER
1968
In recent years
America had entered into a stressful period of history. Leaders of
the ‘free speech movement’ were pleased with their success in
tweaking the nose of conventional society with speeches and
publications filled with language selected for its shock effect.
Encouragement came from the courts as well as from other groups
championing radical change in the structure of social, political,
and economic processes of the country. Civil disobedience, militancy
and rebellion were cherished topics of many groups. The war in
Vietnam was deemed by many to be unwinnable and protests against U.
S. involvement in Southeast Asia were frequent and often violent.
Racial tensions were enhanced by contentious groups on both sides of
this issue. The cold war continued. Although the national mood of
pessimism and dissent was prominent in the news, traditional values
and optimistic outlooks were more apparent on the Llano Estacado,
especially in Rotary.
January l, 1968 marked the half way point in the Rotary year for
District 573. District Governor R. G. Mills, a member of The Rotary
Club of Amarillo, had completed all of his official visits and was
enjoying a productive year. A strong group of club presidents and
secretaries were providing leadership on the club level and included
the following Rotarians:
CLUB PRESIDENTS SECRETARIES
Amarillo R. C. Neely, Jr. John E. Hill, Jr.
Amarillo Northeast T. W.
Rutledge Frank O. Nelson
Andrews James T. Dotson Joe K. Weather
Big Spring Bill C. Coleman Curtis Mullins, Jr.
Borger Kenneth Axelrod Galen J. Caddell Brownfield Mack Ross
Oscar Jones
Canadian Eldon R.
Miller John P. Wilkinson
Canyon Tom A. Black Joe Frank
Childress John T. Forbis Kenneth E. Fink
Dalhart Raymond Wallin E. D. Needham
Denver City L. Calvin Stewart C. A Tucker
Dimmitt Ronnie L. Parker A. V. Barnes
Dumas L. Dean Cobb Jack E. Stoffregen
Floydada Jimmy L. Seay Bill Hardin
Hereford Les W. Combs Jim McDowell
Lamesa Noble H. Price Louis R. Morris
Levelland Melvin Kunkel Jimmie Marshall
Littlefield Jimmy C. Holt Huston Hoover
Lockney John Powell L. B. Brandes
Lubbock Gerald W. Thomas Grey Lewis
Memphis Don C. Curl J. B. Scott
Midland Wendell Mayes, Jr. Russell O. Smith
Midland West Bill C. Clanton Ervin Sandlin
Muleshoe Earl Harris Eddie Faust
Odessa J. C. Chancellor Herb. T. Atkins
Odessa East Robert L. Martin Larry J. Sullivan
O’Donnell Harold C. Hohn C. Truett Hodnett
Pampa David D. Tucker Ben L. Sturgeon
Panhandle Maurice P. Garner Frank Wise
Perryton Ivan Day Hershel Swinney
Plainview Glen Bickel
Woodrow W. Allen
Post Ansel
L. O’Neal R. Lou Marks
Ralls
Craig McDonald W. H. Dismuke
Seagraves Walter L. Givan Danny Calfee
Seminole Joe Svacek Lewis Daugherty
Shamrock R. L. Roberts J. V. Christner
Slaton David R. Hughes M. G. Davis
Snyder John H. Thomas Ernest W. Sears
South & West Amarillo “Mac” McClish Ray N. Biggs
Southwest Lubbock F. J. Hamman Clifford B. Barr
Spur Lloyd E. Hindman M. H. Bragg
Stanton Doyle Corder Arthur Wilson
Sudan O. E. Duvall William K. Glover
Sweetwater Johnny M. Moore J. D. Holbrook
Tahoka Harold C. Reynolds Robert E. Abbe
Tulia H. R. Nelson J. W. Erwin
Wellington Jack R. Neeley Billy F. Moseley
Rotary International President Luther H. Hodges’ theme
for the year was “Make Your Rotary Membership Effective,” and
Governor Mills’ activities stressed that aim continuously. The
significance of the programs of Rotary was kept in the forefront and
clubs that participated in them were not overlooked by Governor
Mills. Matched Districts, Interact Clubs, Technical Training Awards,
and Undergraduate Scholarship Awards were among the newer programs
receiving attention. Membership growth, attendance, Rotary
Information and support for the Rotary Foundation also remained on
the Governor’s agenda.
PDG L.E. “Pat” Patterson (Midland), District Historian, had
completed writing an historical account of the first 50 years of
Rotary in District 573 and it was published under the title,
“Rotary’s Golden Years on the Texas Llano Estacado.” Pat received
well-earned recognition for this excellent work.
The third Annual Zone I
Regional Institute of Rotary International was held in January, 1968
in Las Vegas, Nevada and was attended by Governor Mills, RI Director
Rex Webster of Lubbock, and PDG Jimmy Willson of Floydada. The
Institute was planned as a refresher course for in-coming, current,
and past governors of Rotary. Zone I covered the western third of
the United States.
February 1968 was an exciting month for the District. A new Rotary
Club, Amarillo Northeast with 26 members, received its charter and
joined the other 46 clubs in the District, boosting District
membership to 2521 members. Rotarians who worked on this project
included: PDG Earl Wilbur, District Extension Chairman; Neil Yows,
Governor’s Special Representative; Jim Kone and R.C. Neely, Jr.,
sponsoring club (Amarillo) representatives; Lon Moser and Louis
“Mac” McClish, sponsoring club (South and West Amarillo)
representatives; and R.I. Director Rex Webster (Lubbock.)
Attendance at club meetings was emphasized by many clubs.
In March, 1968 the District average attendance figure stood at
88.89%. Twenty-one clubs had attendance of over 90% and were paced
by the usual leaders of the District: Floydada, Ralls, Childress,
and Levelland. Clubs reporting 100% attendance at individual
meetings were not uncommon in 1968.
The eleventh District 573 Conference was held in
Amarillo on April 18, 19, and 20. The conference was attended by 359
Rotarians and 222 guests. All but three clubs were represented.
Rotarian William K. “Bill” Irwin (Amarillo) served as Conference
Chairman and was assisted by Charles Woodburn (Vice-chairman), John
Hill, Jr. (Secretary,) and W. J. “Bill” Foran (Treasurer.) Dr. F.
Wayne Graham from Morris, Illinois served as the Special
Representative of the President of Rotary International. PDG Charles
L. McCullers from Dunn, North Carolina was one of the conference
speakers. Dr. Jack Rodgers (Odessa) was introduced as the District
Governor Nominee. Bill Irwin was assisted by a number of Amarillo
Rotarians in planning the conference: Manuel Edquist - Reception;
Eddie Melin and Bill Rice - Entertainment; Woodward Martin - Golf;
Dave Buck - Meeting Places; Ray Clark - Food; Jim Prowell and Ray
Biggs - Registration; Sam Attebury - Housing; Neil Yows -
Host-President’s Representative; George DeWald and Chili Smith -
Transportation; R.O. “Bob” Mills - Publicity; Dick Brooks -
Printing; Bill Zelsman - Decorations; W. M “Bill” Quackenbush - Boy
Scouts; G.T “Tolly” Jones -Sergeant at Arms; A.M. “Al” Morton -
Exhibits; and Helen Vahue - chairman, Ladies’ Entertainment. All
four Avenues of Service received attention during the Conference and
it was declared an unqualified success by the Governor.
District 573 was well represented at the Rotary
International Convention held in Mexico City in May 1968. Rotarians
also attended the District Assembly, a training seminar for incoming
club leaders, which was hosted by club president Ansil L. O’Neil and
members of the Post Rotary Club on June 4, 1968.
Governor Mills took
pride in his year as Governor of District 573. His year-end report
cited several accomplishments, including a net increase of 78 new
members in the District. He was also pleased by the support shown by
Rotarians of the Rotary Foundation. The cumulative total of
contributions totaled more than $85,000 from the District.
1968 - 1969
The war in Vietnam was not going well for the United
States. President Johnson attempted to wage peace with Vietnam
leaders by calling a halt to the bombing of North Vietnam in early
March. Although peace talks were started in Paris in May, President
Johnson announced that he would not be a candidate for President in
the forthcoming November election. Protests of the war became more
pronounced. The massacre at Mi Lai was widely publicized.
Other problems captured
the attention of the American people. Racial tension grew with the
assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King in April 1968. Political
strife polarized around the assassination of Senator Robert Kennedy
in June. A violent protest was staged by ‘Yippies’ at the Democratic
Convention held in Chicago.
Inflation was a major concern of all people throughout the
nation. Presidential politics focused on ‘the Warren Court,’ Supreme
Court decisions emphasizing the right of criminals, protection of
pornography, insistence on forced integration, and narrowing of
state’s rights. Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew were elected on the
Republican ticket in the November, 1968 elections.
Headlines in the news noted that the Saturday Evening
Post ceased publication after 148 years, Adam Clayton Powell was
re-seated in the House of Representatives but stripped of seniority
status, Mickey Mantle retired form the N. Y. Yankees, Golda Meir
became the 4th Premier of Israel, and President Nixon announced the
beginning of troop withdrawals from Vietnam. The astronauts manning
Apollo VIII returned from a flight that successfully orbited the
moon.
The quality of the
leaders directing the affairs of District 573 continued to be top
drawer. On July 1, 1968 Dr. Jack Rodgers was pinned as Governor of
the District. Jack was raised in Bogata, Texas. He earned college
degrees at Texas Tech, Sul Ross, and the University of Texas,
completing his doctorate in 1956. He worked in the public schools of
East Texas and Odessa and became Dean of Odessa College in 1949. In
1960 he assumed the presidency of Odessa College. He was a frequent
contributor to professional journals. Governor Rodgers was married
to Ruth who he claimed as his greatest asset.
Governor Rodgers was an
active Presbyterian, serving as Elder and member of several church
committees. He was a 32nd degree Mason and active in many civic and
professional associations including Phi Delta Kappa, TSTA, Heart
Association, and the Odessa Chamber of Commerce. Governor Rodgers
was recognized as Odessa’s Outstanding Man in 1968 and cited by the
Texas Legislature for service to his profession.
Governor Rodgers
preparation for his year began many years prior to his inauguration.
He was a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Odessa and served it
well as chairman of many committees, director, and president. Before
being nominated as governor, DGN Rogers and Ruth attended
International Conventions in Atlantic City and Denver. Other Rotary
training sessions included a Zone I meeting, the District Conference
in Amarillo, the Leadership Forum in Post, many hours spent with R.G
Mills, his predecessor, the International Convention in Mexico City,
and an intensive one-week training session at the International
Assembly at Lake Placid, New York hosted by Rotary International.
Governor Rodgers
continually boasted about the great group of club officers providing
leadership in the Rotary Clubs of the District during his year. They
included:
CLUB PRESIDENTS
SECRETARIES
Amarillo
Charles R. Woodburn John K. Boyce, Jr.
Amarillo Northeast Gene E. Baker Frank O. Nelson
Andrews Dean T. Davis Reeder F. Price
Big Spring Lowell Jones William T. McRee
Borger William Sprague Charles E. Green
Brownfield Chester D. Durham John Forsyth
Canadian Vernon Morse John P. Wilkinson
Canyon Gordon L. Downing Leroy Moreland
Childress Robert C. Carter Kenneth E. Fink
Dalhart Bill Mahaney F. E. Thomas, Jr.
Denver City Michael G.
Hamilton H. G. Sprawls
Dimmitt Ike Moore A. V. Barnes
Dumas Fred H. Squyres Jim H. Long
Floydada Clement McDonald Bill Hardin
Hereford Troyce Carmichael Clifford L. Arnold
Lamesa Malcolm Harp Louis R. Morris
Levelland Melvin C. Kunkel Arvel Bennett
Littlefield Frank Anzeline Jim Holt
Lockney Wilbur Mize Leslie Ferguson
Lubbock J. T. Talkington Garnet Reeves, Jr.
Memphis Don C. Curl J. B.
Scott
Midland William Monroe
Kerr Russell O. Smith
Midland
West Harvey B. Rhoads James A. McCain
Muleshoe Johnny Shelton Troy L. Atkinson
Odessa J. E. Perkins Herb H. Atkins
Odessa East Clarence J. Kerth L. J. Sullivan
O’Donnell Hal R. Tunnell C. Truett Hodnett
Pampa Jimmy E. Thompson Albert Doucette
Panhandle Melvin Vick Frank Vise
Perryton Robert Holand Hershel Swinney
Plainview John Thomas Boyd J. Stewart Webb
Post O. Curtis Lee R. L. “Lou” Marks
Ralls L. Dean Taylor Dr.
James Stokes
Seagraves Jim
Eddins Dan E. Calfee
Seminole
Richard Watts Lewis Daugherty
Shamrock James W. Brothers George Farris
Slaton Claude S. Cravens M. G. Davis
Snyder T. Jay Rogers Robert
J. Boren
South & West
Amarillo Bill Holliday Dr. Jim Cook
Southwest Lubbock Dr. J. Wayland Bennet A. C. Tinch
Spur Morris Collett M. H. Bragg
Stanton Jim McCoy Arthur Wilson
Sudan Herb H. Potter C. E. Nichols
Sweetwater Dr. Jack C. Lewis H. H. Hawley, Jr.
Tahoka Garland W. Thornton
Robert E. Abbe
Tulia Billy J.
Barnett Malcolm Atwood
Wellington Billy F. Moseley Tommy Thomas
The President of Rotary International, Kiyoshi “George”
Togasaki of Tokyo, Japan stressed the theme ‘Participate!” He was
ably assisted on the international level by Rotarian Rex Webster of
Lubbock, Texas, who was elected Vice President of the Board of
Directors. Several new programs were added to Rotary during the
year. Rotary Volunteers Abroad, Significant Achievement Awards, and
Rotaract Clubs were launched.
Governor Rodgers began his official visits to clubs on July
9th, 1968 and completed his rounds on October 17th. His monthly
newsletter contained reports of many of the projects and goals that
he discovered during his visits and served as a good resource for
furthering his District goal, “More Rotary Information.”
Governor Rodgers convened the District Leadership Forum
in Lubbock, Texas on September 10th. The program was designed to
present Rotary information to current and in-coming officers of the
District’s clubs. The Forum’s keynote address was delivered by PDG
Carl W. Rehfuss of District 516 who came from El Cerrito,
California. Promotion of the Forum, and holding it in conjunction
with the Lubbock Rotary Club’s annual Inter-city Meeting, resulted
in good attendance. One Hundred thirty three Rotarians participated
in the meeting.
That
evening 500+ Rotarians from the District accepted the hospitality of
the Lubbock Rotary Club and its president, J.T. Talkington, and what
a grand evening it was.
Notables included J. Edd McLaughlin, Past President of R.I. (Ralls),
Rex Webster, Vice President of R.I. (Lubbock,) and Kiyoshi “George”
Togasaki, President of R.I. (Tokyo.) Robert Nash (Lubbock) served as
Master of Ceremonies. Lubbock’s Inter-city meeting had become
recognized throughout Rotary as “one of the best.” President
“George” reported that Rotary consisted of 13,339 clubs and 634,000
members spanning the globe in 143 countries. He expanded on his
theme “Participate.”
In
September, Miss Sharon Anne Short of Amarillo was notified that she
had been accepted for a Rotary Foundation fellowship for a year’s
study at the University of Graz, Austria.
During the first half of
Governor Rodgers’ year much activity occurred in the quest for new
Rotary clubs. PDG Earl Wilbur (Dalhart) served as Chairman of
Extension and was assisted by Floyd Honey (Lubbock) who was
surveying Lubbock, while Bob Lindsey, Bill Sprague, Kenneth Axelrod,
and PDG Reg Yauch (all of Borger) took a look at Spearman. Clarendon
was the assignment for David Tucker (Pampa.)
The Zone Institute for past and present officers of
Rotary was held January 31-February 1, 1969 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
PDG Earl Wilbur was Co-Chairman for the Institute and was joined
there by several current and past officers of the District,
including Governor Rodgers, Rex Webster, Edd McLaughlin, and their
spouses.
Harvey Rhoads,
president of the Midland West club reported an exciting meeting of
his club that occurred during the middle of February 1969. George
Walker Bush of Houston, and a former resident of Midland, delivered
a speech on behalf of the American Heart Association to the 40
Midland West club members. There were also 130 guests in attendance,
a record for the club. Mr. Bush had many friends in Midland where he
founded Zapata Drilling Company, which later became Pennzoil in
Houston.
The District
Conference convened at the historic Scharbauer Hotel in Midland on
April 17, 18, and 19, 1969. Attendance included 305 Rotarians and
218 guests for a total registration of 523 participants. Forty-two
of 47 clubs in the District were represented. William M. Kerr,
President of the Rotary Club of Midland, and Harvey B. Rhoads,
President of the Midland West Rotary Club shared hosting
responsibilities. Rotary President Togasaki sent James A. Speer
(Baldwin Park, California) as his special representative. Extensive
planning for the conference was under the direction of Camal Dakil
(Midland), and Bill Clanton (Midland West.) Conference committee
chairmen included: Burvin Hines, attendance; Ralph Viney,
sergeant-at-arms; James T. Smith, golf; James A Brown,
transportation; John W. Young, registration; Delbert Downing,
reception; James Ruple, printing; James A. Mashburn, housing; John
E. Reid, publicity; Fred Kester, ladies entertainment; Bruce
Motlong, decorations; Thomas B. King, general entertainment; Earl
McKeehan, Boy Scouts; L. G. Beverley, Jr., meeting places; Benton
Howell, conference treasurer; Ted M. Kerr, secretary; Gordon L.
Downing, Chaplain; and Ted M. Kerr, budget. It is no wonder that the
conference came off without a hitch!
Early in the conference two District Governor
Nominees were introduced: Charles L. Reynolds (Childress) 1969-70,
and W. W. “Woody” Pyeatt (Sweetwater) 1970-71. The programs
presented during the conference included unique presentations on
“Law and Order,” and a forum entitled “Youth and Their Problems.”
Other sessions addressed Governor Rodgers’ theme of “More Rotary
Information.”
Sharleen
(Formby) Rhoads noted that this was the last District 573 Conference
to be held at the Scharbauer Hotel. It was built in 1928 and
demolished in 1972 to make way for the Hilton Hotel. At the
Scharbauer, Rotarians followed in the footsteps of land and cattle
barons of earlier years and oil and gas magnates of more recent
times.
The work done by
the Borger club on sponsoring a new club paid handsome dividends.
The Rotary Club of Spearman received its provisional charter on June
12, 1969. Thirty-five new Rotarians were added to the District
roster. Coy Palmer was their president, Ellzey D. Vanderburg was
vice president, club secretary was Chet Wise, Peyton Gibner served
as treasurer, and Junior Lusby was sergeant-at-arms.
The value of a Rotary Club to a community was profoundly
illustrated by the members of the Midland West club in May 1969.
When club president Harvey Rhoads was contacted regarding the needs
of a family with a 13 year old son, Randy Jones, a victim of
hemophilia, he presented the situation to his club board of
directors and a project to assist the family was organized. Randy
owed the Carter Blood Center in Ft. Worth 220 units of plasma and
his family’s finances were exhausted due to the expenses incurred in
his treatment. The Midland West club organized a blood drive,
involved every club member and many health professionals in it,
spread the word throughout Midland with the assistance of the local
media, and called for volunteers to help. The club’s organization of
the project and the community’s response was spectacular. On May 26,
1969 554 pints of blood were drawn and $2800 was donated to the
Jones family. The details of this splendid project were reported in
the March 1972 issue of the Rotarian in an article written by Mrs.
Billy Don “Fluffy” Green, a friend of the Jones family. (Ed. Note:
Sharleen Rhoads reported that Randy finished his education, became
an accountant, married, had a family and lived a very productive
life for 25 years only to succumb to some HIV tainted blood he
received years later.)
In
preparation for the coming year, the District Assembly was held in
Levelland on June 16, 1969. Forty-two of the 48 clubs in the
District were represented at this training session. Attendance
totaled 186 Rotarians. PDG Doyle C. McKinney of Grand Prairie was
the moderator. Forty-one of 48 in-coming club presidents were there.
Rotary information was the crux of presentations.
Club projects cited by
Governor Rodgers in his end-of-the-year report to Rotary
International included Hereford and Dimmit for their work with Camp
Fire Girls; Midland’s Benefit Horse Show; Lubbock for its gift of
the Chapel to a State Home located there; and Pampa for its superb
Rotary Information Program.
Club presidents cited for exceptional qualities of leadership
included William Monroe Kerr (Midland,) J.E. Perkins (Odessa,) J. T.
Talkington (Lubbock,) Dr. Jack T. Lewis (Sweetwater,) Charles R.
Woodburn (Amarillo,) and L. Dean Taylor (Ralls.)
1969 - 1970
There was no shortage of headlines in the media. In June,
1969 President Nixon announced a new approach to the war in
Southeast Asia and referred to it as the ‘Vietnamization’ of the
war. Substantial numbers of American ground troops were to be
withdrawn in stages but air support for the South Vietnamese forces
would continue. On July 19th, Senator Edward Kennedy’s car plunged
off of a bridge, resulting in the death of Mary Jo Kopechne. On July
21st, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin took their ‘giant leap
for mankind’ by walking on the surface of the moon. A music and art
festival began at Woodstock, N.Y. on August 18th. On December 2,
1969 the first 747 jumbo jet flight carried 362 passengers from
Seattle to New York City.
On June l, James F. Conway, a Connecticut Rotarian, began his
year as President of Rotary International. His theme for the year,
“Review and Renew,” was based on his opinion that much could be done
within the present framework of Rotary. He chose not to announce any
specific new projects or programs but did offer a ‘Prescription for
Rotary’ that set the stage for Governor Reynolds’ year. Membership
in Rotary spanned 13,853 clubs and included 660,259 members. Rotary
Foundation contributions totaled $1.9 million that year and
educational awards were granted to 209 students from 42 countries.
On July 1, 1969 Charles
Reynolds of the Childress Rotary Club became the District 573
Governor. He was born in Chillicothe, Texas, was a graduate of the
S.M.U. Law School and the 1966 session of the National College of
State Trial Judges held at the University of Colorado. Governor
Reynolds worked with the Veterans Administration in Washington, D.C.
and Dallas, established his legal practice in Childress in 1954,
served 8 years as District Attorney, and became District Judge of
the 100th Judicial District in 1962. He married Nelmarie Parman and
they raised two children. He was very active in the associations of
his profession, civic affairs, and the First Baptist Church where he
served as deacon and taught a Sunday school class. He was a veteran
of WW II and served in the Southwest Pacific, the Philippine
Islands, and Japan.
Governor Reynolds was in training during Governor Rodgers’ year to
assume the role of District Governor, 1969-70. He attended the
District Leadership Forum, the Zone I meeting, the District
Conference, the District Assembly, and the International Assembly in
Lake Placid, New York. From there DGN Reynolds and wife Nelmarie
traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii for the international convention.
Twelve years as a member of the Childress Rotary Club and rubbing
shoulders with PDG Morris Higley added to his qualifications.
Governor Rodgers pronounced him ready to serve and passed the
governor’s pin to Governor Reynolds on June 30, 1969.
Governor Reynolds was
impressed with the new officers in the District’s clubs. Following
is a listing of those who gave freely of their time to serve as club
presidents and secretaries.
CLUB PRESIDENTS SECRETARIES
Amarillo William J. Foran John D. Colvert
Amarillo Northeast Walter W. Shuman, Jr. David H. Willis
Andrews Billie G. Gordon Reeder F. Price
Big Spring Curtis Mullins William T. McRee
Borger David S. Harmony Charles E. Green
Brownfield George W. Weiss Paul Risser
Canadian Ivan Conklin John P. Wilkinson
Canyon Ray H. Lumry Murry Boston
Childress William E. Sager Kenneth E. Fink
Dalhart Dr. A. S. Abdullah Ralph Forester
Denver City Charles A. Tucker Jay W. Howell
Dimmitt Raymond E. Wilson Earl Chaney
Dumas Hugh L. Jackson, Jr. James H. Long
Floydada Alton Higginbotham Bill Hardin
Hereford Charles Frye John T. Myers
Lamesa LeRoy Olsak Louis R. Morris
Levelland Charles D. McKay Arvel N. Bennett
Littlefield Calvin Price Huston Hoover
Lockney L. B. Brandes Gene Collins, Jr.
Lubbock Dr. Floyd D. Boze
Garnet Reeves, ,Jr.
Memphis
Clent F. Srygley J. B. Scott
Midland Walter C. Snyder Russell O. Smith
Midland West Fred P. Faulkner Jimmie F. Rhoads
Muleshoe E. T. Ford Troy Atkinson
Odessa J. E. Perkins H. H. Atkins
Odessa East Charlie G. Taylor Dolph Miller
O’Donnell R. C. Lott Truett Hodnet
Pampa Kay Fancher William Ragsdale
Panhandle Charles A. Gill Maurice P. Garner
Perryton Richard L. Parker Hershel Swinney
Plainview Marshall A. Pharr J. N. Marks, Jr.
Post Syd R. Conner R. Lou
Marks
Ralls Walter E. Gillon
Bill R. Carpenter
Seagraves
Jess M. Lancett Pat L. McAdo
Seminole Delbert Warren Lewis Daugherty
Shamrock John W. Glasscock C. Fred Hoffman
Slaton J. S. Edwards, Jr. M. G. Davis
Snyder Henry F. Clark Marlin Terrell
South & West Amarillo Ray Biggs Gary Strickland
Southwest Lubbock Clifford B. Bear Warren S. Green
Spur Jack D. Kennedy M. H. Bragg
Spearman Coy Palmer Chet Wise
Sudan Doyle D. Watkins Charles E. Nichols
Sweetwater Drennon Daves H. H. Hawley, Jr.
Tahoka George D. McCracken
Robert E. Abbe
Tulia Wilmer
Graham Bob G. Phillips
Wellington Bud Higginbotham Trusten Thomas
At the beginning of
his year, Governor Reynolds decreed that there would be no civil
disputes, crimes, or wrong-doing committed in the 100th Judicial
District during the last half of 1969. Floydada was the first club
visited on July 9th, but, alas, court matters prevailed and Governor
Reynolds returned to his bench. Official visits were rescheduled and
culminated in the last visit being made to Snyder on December 4th.
During his official visits, Governor Reynolds urged clubs to review
their programs with a view to their consolidation, elimination or
expansion as needs might dictate. He also urged clubs to seek new
fields of endeavor and to be innovative in approaching them.
Governor Reynolds stressed several other points during his visits,
including the need to share Rotary by brining in new, qualified
members. He included noteworthy projects of many clubs in his
newsletters such as the Midland club’s donation of $1700 to the
Tri-County Foster Home Group, and Southwest Lubbock’s picnic for a
large number of mentally retarded children. He noted that the
Southwest Lubbock club had 23 members with 100% attendance and
opined that the “salad supper” held by the Canyon club prior to his
official visit was the most inappropriately named meal in the
District.
On September
23, 1969 the Lubbock Rotary Club hosted its Inter-city meeting. Club
president Floyd Boze called the role of those in attendance, more
than 500, and awarded the traveling trophy to the O’Donnell club for
having 87% of their members present. The speaker for the evening was
the Honorable Garrett Morris, Commissioner of the Texas Highway
Department.
Governor
Reynolds reported in his January newsletter that the Rotary Club of
Stanton surrendered its charter and ceased to exit. Declining
populations in many communities throughout the District was a matter
of major concern.
In
January, 1970 while Governor Reynolds was working with the Plainview
Rotary Club who were the hosts for the upcoming District Conference,
other noteworthy things were happening. On January 11th, the Kansas
City Chiefs defeated the Minnesota Vikings in the Super Bowl. Joe
Frazier became the new heavy weight champion in the boxing world,
and the Supreme Court ordered and immediate end to school
segregation in six southern states. In April, John Wayne won an
Oscar for his performance in True Grit. A month later four students
at Kent State University were killed by National Guardsmen and on
May 27th, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained a record 32 points
in one day. America went to the movies to watch Love Story, Patton,
and M.A.S.H.
The District
Conference convened in Plainview at the Holiday Inn April 23 - 25,
1970. Club president Marshall Pharr and Conference Co-chairmen Glenn
Bickel and Judge John Boyd planned an excellent conference.
President of Rotary International James F. Conway selected PDG James
A. Franklin, Jr. of Fort Meyers, Florida to be his representative at
the conference. His wife, Gina, accompanied him. Two hundred
eighteen Rotarians and 97 guests attended the conference for a total
of 315 registrants. Thirty-nine of 48 clubs were represented at the
conference.
Glen Bickel
and John Boyd were assisted by a host of Plainview Rotarians as they
planned for the conference. They included Charles Joplin -
secretary; Woody Allen - treasurer; Bob Garner and Lon Cartwright -
sergeant-at-arms; Vernon Clem - transportation; Jim Burks - housing;
Mary Kirchoff - food; Jim Cox - entertainment; Bob Glaser and David
Willson - golf; Bill Hayes - budget; Wilmont Eaton - publicity and
printing; Jim Oswald - newspaper and publicity; C. L. Abernethy and
Gene Owen - meeting places; Girard Fox - T.V. and radio publicity;
Felix Crawford - attendance; Wayne Beverly - advanced registration;
Bill Stanford -registration; Bob Voelker - reception; Ann Pharr -
ladies’ entertainment; Frank Gabriel - decorations; Mancie King -
boy scouts; Mark Williams, Carlos McLeod, and Fred Klerekoper -
chaplains; and Bill Stanford - song leader.
One of many highlights
of the Conference was the introduction of the six members the first
Group Study Exchange Team who were going to District 476 in Chile,
departing on May 9, 1970. The group would spend six weeks touring
extensively the Chilean District. Dr. Harley Oberhelman (Lubbock)
was the group leader. Team members included Burel Block (Muleshoe,)
Barry Duman (Canyon.) William Ford (Lubbock,) Richard Gesin
(Sweetwater,) Don Nelson (Pampa,) and James R. Swann (Lubbock.) For
District 573, this was the beginning of many GSE teams that the
District sent abroad and hosted. The District Group Study Exchange
Selection Committee was introduced at the Conference and was
composed of Chairman Nojem Libson (Odessa,) PDG Rigdon Edwards,
(Sweetwater,) John Hoyle, (Canyon), Robert Nash (Lubbock), DGN Woody
Pyeatt (Sweetwater,) Governor Reynolds (Childress,) and PRIVP Rex
Webster (Lubbock.)
Bill
Cox, Captain, Juvenile Division of the Lubbock Police Department
addressed the Conference. W. W. “Woody” Pyeatt of Sweetwater was
introduced as the in-coming Governor of District 573 for 1970-71.
One of the speakers at the Conference was billed as Dr. Gilbert
Peake of Markyate, England. He turned out to be “Cactus Pryor,” an
impostor of the highest order.
PRIVP Rex Webster and Madge were preparing to leave for the
International Assembly in Lake Placid when Lubbock was hit by a
tornado in May, 1970. Air travel and communications were disrupted
and damage was wide spread. The Websters finally got to Montreal
where Herb Pigman of R.I. provided transportation to the Assembly.
Governor Reynolds reported in his June newsletter that many clubs
nation-wide had responded to the need for assistance in Lubbock and
that the District had matched all donated funds.
Governor Reynolds noted
at the end of his year that membership in the District had dropped
by 56 members to a total of 2519 Rotarians. Incoming District
Governor Woody Pyeatt shared Governor Reynolds’ concern that
increasing club membership should be a high priority in every club.
The District Assembly
was held in Floydada on June 24th under the direction of DGN Woody
Pyeatt (Sweetwater.) PDG Jimmy Willson, Club president Doyle Walls,
and members of the Floydada club served as excellent hosts for the
occasion. Incoming club officers were treated to an outstanding
program concerning their duties and priorities for the coming year.
CHAPTER II
PRELUDE TO POLITICAL DISASTER
1970 - 1971
In
August, President Nixon replaced the U.S. Post Office Department
with an independent government agency. Welfare reform was the center
of his domestic program. Vice President Spiro Agnew was actively
making his goodwill tours around the world and criticizing the media
for biased reporting. Anwar Sadat replaced Gamal Nasser as head of
the Egyptian government when Nasser died of a heart attack at the
age of 52.
Additional
headlines during the Rotary year noted that highjacking airlines was
a popular thing to do among Arab and Communist groups. The Baltimore
Orioles won the World Series on October 15th, the same day that it
was announced that the U.S. economy reached an annual rate of $l
trillion. Texans were represented in the U. S. Senate by Lloyd
Bentsen and John Tower. Idi Amin became Chief of State in Uganda and
Egypt, Libya, and Syria vowed no compromise with Israel in their
long running dispute. The 26th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution
was ratified, allowing eighteen year olds the right to vote.
William E. “Bill” Walk
of Ontario, California became the President of Rotary International
on July 1, 1970. Many Rotarians in District 573 remembered Bill Walk
and his wife Louise as the President’s Special Representatives to
our District Conference hosted by the Southwest Lubbock Rotary Club
in 1965. President Walk’s theme for the year was “Bridge the Gaps.”
He emphasized closing the distances between peoples, nations, and
between man and his environment. Contributions to the Rotary
Foundation totaled $2,461,463 during his year. Some 260 educational
awards were made.
The
District Governor for 1970 - 1971, a prince of a fellow named W. W.
“Woody” Pyeatt, was born near Cleburne, Texas, graduated from high
school in Olney, attended Weatherford Junior College, and graduated
from Texas A. & M. with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. He plied
his trade in Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Salem, Illinois, and New
Orleans from 1939 to 1954. He became a partner in Coker Gasoline
Company and moved to Sweetwater in 1956. Woody sold the gasoline
plant in 1968, talked to the I.R.S. for years afterward, and became
involved with Ludlum Instruments, a manufacturer of radiation
detection devises.
Woody
was active in many civic endeavors in Sweetwater, serving as
president of the school board, the PTA, the United Fund, and the
Chamber of Commerce. He was Western District Chairman of the Chisolm
Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America and was a member of the Order
of the Arrow. Woody was active in his church, serving in many
capacities in the First Presbyterian Church of Sweetwater.
Woody Pyeatt’s
orientation for being the District Governor began in 1955 when he
joined the Sweetwater Rotary club. In the spring of 1970 he and his
wife Mildred attended the Zone I meeting in Anaheim, California with
several other PDG’s from the District. As DGN, Woody attended the
District Conference in Plainview and helped organize the District
Assembly in Floydada. DGN Pyeatt and Mildred participated in the
eight day long International Assembly held at Lake Placid, New York
prior to attending the International Convention in Atlanta, Georgia
on 31 May - June 4, 1970. When he officially became District
Governor on July 1, 1970 he was ready to go.
Governor Pyeatt recruited Rotarians from all over the
District to serve as resources to clubs. Bill Sewell (Slaton) served
as Chairman of Club Service; Hardy Stevens (Amarillo) chaired
Vocational Service; Dr. Floyd Boze (Lubbock) worked in the areas of
Community Service; and Dr. Emil Prohl (Tahoka) lead the area of
International Service.
On
July 1st, Governor Pyeatt was off and running and excited about
beginning his official visits to the clubs in the District. He
completed his visits November 4th in Odessa. He stressed the need
for membership growth, attendance, and participation in the
activities of Rotary district-wide such as the 43rd Lubbock
Inter-City meeting that was scheduled for September 29, 1970 and the
District Conference set for April, 1971 in Sweetwater.
(Editor’s note: Club Presidents and Secretaries for the
Rotary year 1970 - 1971 were not found.)
The Rotary Foundation
Committee for the District was co-chaired by PRIVP Rex Webster
(Lubbock) and PDG Jimmy Willson (Floydada). They in turn appointed
area Foundation Promotion Rotarians to be available for programs and
special assistance to clubs in their areas. These Rotarians included
PDG Rigdon Edwards (Sweetwater,) PDG Burnett Roberts (Levelland,)
Jerry Ratcliff (Amarillo,) PDG R. G. Mills (Amarillo,) DGN Paige
Carruth (Canyon,) Marshall Pharr (Plainview,) Stansell Clement
(Lamesa,) PDG Jack Rodgers (Odessa,) and PDG Morris Higley
(Childress.) It was reported that our district’s contributions
during 1969-70 were only $2.79 per Rotarian.
The Governor cited many
clubs during the year for outstanding work. President Friend Talbott
of Big Spring made gains in membership. Floydada was averaging 99%
attendance. John K. Boyce, Jr. of Amarillo reported raising $6,000
for the Children’s Hearing Center by sponsoring the International
Micro Midget Race Championship. The Rotary Club of Canadian paid for
$7500 worth of improvements to Rotary Park and the Little League
facilities with club projects. Perryton’s annual Cherry Pie Sale
resulted in a donation of $1250 to Girl’s Town.
An Undergraduate
Scholarship was awarded to Craig Pennel, sponsored by the Midland
Club, for a year’s study at the University of Lancaster, England, in
1971-72. R. Lewis Smith, President of Amarillo Northeast was
counselor for Andrew Haskett of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia,
one of two Technical Training awardees in the District. The other
was Hans Augustin of Beyreuth, Germany whose counselor was Dr.
Murray Kovnar of the Lubbock Club.
District 573 was honored by a visit in November from PDG
Carl Lemasters, Head of Service to Governors and Clubs, from the
Secretariat in Evanston, Illinois. Carl visited 5 clubs: Sweetwater,
O’Donnell, Andrews, Midland, and Lamesa during his visit.
Governor Pyeatt and
Mildred, DGN Paige Carruth and Norma, PVPRI Rex Webster and Madge
and other PDGs attended the Zone I meeting in Coronado, California
January 22-24, 1971. Zone meetings were refresher courses for past,
present, and incoming officers of Rotary International.
The Group Study Exchange
team from Chile arrived at the Midland-Odessa Airport January 31,
1971. During February and March the team, led by Rotarian Franklin
Arriagada, and composed of six business and professional men visited
every area of the District. It was a great project with more than 30
clubs participating and was well received by Rotarians throughout
the District.
An event
of note occurred on February 19th when the Rotary Club of Lubbock
celebrated the 50th year of their founding. On hand for the Golden
Anniversary festivities was none other than George Means, the
General Secretary of Rotary International and his wife Martha. Bob
Nash served as master of ceremonies. Bob Brummal, club president,
and PRIVP Rex Webster added to the fine festivities.
The Rotary Club of
Greater Lubbock was admitted to membership in Rotary by action of
the RI Board on December 18th and plans were afoot for a big Charter
Night celebration scheduled for March 12, 1971. First Vice President
of Rotary International and Zone I Director Dr. Stan McCaffrey made
the principal address. There were 29 new members in the club, headed
by Murlin Derebery, President, Calvin Stewart, Secretary and Bob
Arnold, Vice President. Bill Porter, Newt Robinson (President) and
others in the Southwest Lubbock Rotary Club were sponsors and
mentors of the new club.
The District Conference was held in Sweetwater on April 22 -
24, 1971. Three hundred forty-two Rotarians and guests registered
their attendance. Forty-two of the District’s 47 clubs were
represented. The President of Rotary International sent Joe and
Adele Jordon of Burbank, California, District 526 as his special
representative. In addition to President Bill Walk’s theme “Bridge
the Gaps”, Governor Pyeatt adopted a conference theme, “Turn On!
Tune In! Don’t Drop Out!” Sweetwater Rotarians who hosted the affair
donned red ties throughout the conference and in years to come their
red ties became their identifying trademark.
Club president Warden
Boswell and all Sweetwater Rotarians were actively involved in
hosting the conference. Davis Clark was Conference Chairman and was
assisted by the following Rotarians: Bob Harris, Scouts; Ken Palmer,
Decorations; Jere Lawrence, Entertainment; Harry Carmichael, Food;
Moe Reich and Dick Penick, Golf; Drennon Daves, Meeting Places;
Glenn Bennett, Housing; Rig Edwards, Publicity-District; Sam Glass,
Publicity-Local; Frank Grevelle, Reception; Nora Grevelle, Ladies
Activities, Olaf South, Registration; Bill Norred, Transportation;
Ralph Wallace, Sgt.-at-Arms; and Scissors VanDever, Printing. J. D.
Holbrook served as Conference Treasurer. Clayton Williams was the
Conference Secretary.
In
addition to Joe Jordon, RI President’s Special Representative, major
addresses were given by Frank Pollard, Pastor, Shiloh Terrace
Baptist Church in Dallas, Austin McCloud, Chief Justice, 11th
District Court of Civil Appeals in Eastland; and Dr. W. T. Walton,
PDG, District 579, Abilene.
The District Assembly, aimed at the orientation of incoming
club offices and committee chairmen, was hosted by the Childress
Rotary Club and was chaired by DGN Paige Carruth (Canyon) on June 9,
1971. Governor Pyeatt reported that of the 47 clubs in the District,
37 were represented at the Assembly. A total of 135 Rotarians were
in attendance.
Clarence
L. Darter was the president of the Childress Club. Host club
committees included Larry Hall, Vaughn Nowlin, and Lewis White
handling transportation; Jimmy Harman and Howard Murchison took care
of hospitality and meeting rooms; Don Johnston, Fay Eatherly, and
Kenneth Fink provided registration services; PDG Morris Higley, C.
J. Lyons, and M. K. Wilcoxson were the greeters; and Eddie Leary was
the sergeant-at-arms.
Speakers and discussion leaders drawn from all over the District
included Governor Pyeatt, DGN T. Paige Carruth, L. R. “Toad” Morris,
Bill Sewell, PDG Earl Wilbur, Bill Clanton, Floyd Rodgers, Hardy
Stevens, PDG Floyd Golden, Camal Dakil, PDG R. G. Mills, PDG Charles
Reynolds, Ben Brock, PDG Rex Webster, PDG Burnett Roberts, Mancel
King, PGD J.M. Willson, Jr., PDG Morris Higley, Bill Porter, Joe
Gidden, and Stansell Clement. The favorite song leader of the Rotary
world, PRIVP Rex Webster, led the group in singing.
The International
Convention was held in Sydney, N.S.W., Australia and was attended by
16,646 registrants, several of whom hailed from District 573.
In his end of the year
report to Rotary International, Governor Pyeatt cited several clubs
for outstanding work. These included: Amarillo for community
service, Rotary information, and individual involvement; Canadian
for community service, fund raising, and club history; Floydada for
membership and attendance; Lamesa for membership and overall club
programs; Lubbock for community service and fund raising; Odessa
East for solid membership growth; O’Donnell for being the best 14
member club ever; and Pampa for pre-induction information program.
Governor Pyeatt expressed concerns over the declining
population trend, especially in the smaller towns in the district.
The year began with 2457 Rotarians and ended with 2402 members on
the rolls, resulting in a net loss of 55 members.
Individual Rotarians
cited for leadership included: Murray Travis (Tulia) for his “Know
Your Community” program series; Bailey Mayo (Post) for conservation
and ecology; Dr. Douglas Black (Lamesa) overall club leadership; and
John K. Boyce (Amarillo) for club administration.
1971 - 1972
Rotarian consumers of current events during this Rotary
year were treated to many “firsts.” Economists and financiers
reported among other things that a record day of trading took place
on the New York Stock Exchange August 16 with a whopping 31.7
million shares trading hands. Also reported was an estimate that the
national budget deficit for 1972 would reach $38 million. Sports
fans watched as the Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series in
October, read mostly about the golfing feats of Arnold Palmer, Lee
Trevino, and Jack Nichlaus, and rejoiced when the Dallas Cowboys
beat the Miami Dolphins in their first Super Bowl win. Texans with
political interests read about the Sharpstown Banking Scandal that
reached the highest levels of government in Austin, followed the
Democrat presidential-hopeful’s campaigns of Edmund Muskie, Hubert
Humphrey, George Wallace and George McGovern, were amazed at the
success of President Nixon’s visit to China, and shocked at the news
of an assassin’s attempt on the life of George Wallace that left him
paralyzed. The first step in what became the news event of the
decade occurred on the evening of June 17th when five men were
seized during a break-in at the Democrat National Headquarters in
the Watergate Building in Washington, D.C.
The new President of
Rotary International was Ernst G. Breitholtz and his home club was
Kalmar, Sweden. Ernst’s theme for the year was “Good Will Begins
with You.” The Council on Legislation was constituted for the first
time and became the legislative body of Rotary International,
replacing the mail-in ballot system of handling new legislation.
Contributions to the Rotary Foundation grew to $3.4 during the year,
which made possible the awarding of 315 educational awards. The
number of Rotary clubs grew to 14,890 with 706,372 members.
On July 1st, Thomas
Paige Carruth of the Canyon Rotary Club became the District
Governor. He was reared in Vernon, Texas, graduated from Canyon High
School, and attended Texas A. & M., West Texas State University, and
Texas Tech University where he earned a doctorate in 1959. Governor
Carruth taught in Kermit, Texas prior to joining the faculty at West
Texas State University where he served as administrator and
professor. He was with the 25th Infantry Division, G-2 Section,
during the Korean conflict. He married Norma Durrett of Amarillo and
they raised five children in Canyon, Texas.
Governor Carruth was
active in civic affairs in the Canyon-Amarillo region. He was a
director of the Canyon Chamber of Commerce, headed the United Fund,
was a state officer with the American Cancer Society, active in Boy
Scouts, and served in many capacities in the First Methodist Church
in Canyon. Professionally he was president of the Texas Association
of Student Personnel Administrators and the Southwest Association of
Student Personnel Administrators. He held committee positions with
the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. He
served terms as president of The Panhandle School Leaders
Association and the Gamma Pi Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa.
Preparation for the
office of District Governor began when he joined the Canyon Rotary
Club in September, 1960 and served as its president in 1963-64. His
first International Convention was in Toronto, Canada. He became
active in District activities and was a member of committees that
included Educational Awards, Youth Exchange, and Group Study
Exchange. The first of many Zone I meetings began in 1970 when he
and Norma joined Governor Pyeatt and Mildred and PVPRI Rex Webster
and Madge for the meeting in Anaheim, California. In June, 1971 he
attended the eight-day International Assembly in Lake Placid, New
York. Seeking advice from Amarillo PDG R. G. Mills for the
responsibilities that lay ahead, DGN Carruth expressed his concern
about his adequacy. PDG Mills said, “Don’t worry. I don’t think that
one man can do much damage to the District in just one year.” With
confidence thus bolstered, Governor Carruth, accompanied by Norma,
began making official visits in early July to the 47 clubs in the
District.
Club
presidents and secretaries rendering dedicated service during
1971-72 were:
CLUB
PRESIDENTS SECRETARIES
Amarillo James S. Kone Phil D. Wheeler
Amarillo Northeast John Banasik Forest Ziegenhorn
Andrews Gene Cummins Jerrold Hotchkin
Big Spring Milton “Friend” Talbot William T. McRee
Borger Melvin D. Marshall Milton Kasch
Brownfield W. A. Legion Charles Fulkerson
Canadian George W. Arrington Vernon B. Morse
Canyon Dr. Ples Harper Dr. E. B. Posey
Childress Ross H. Smith Kenneth E. Fink
Dalhart Charles Ray Jack Vanderburg
Denver City Hollis E. Scarborough James R. Mason
Dimmitt Earl D. Chaney Bill E. Behrends
Dumas James H. Long Jack J. Thornton
Floydada Wendell Tooley Bill Hardin
Greater Lubbock Murlin Derebery James C. Stewart
Hereford Kenneth R. Rogers Myron E. Morgan
Lamesa R. B. Snell Louis R. Morris
Levelland Gano Tubb Arvel N. Bennett
Littlefield Warren Dayton Huston Hoover
Lockney Hubert Frizzell Jerry Cooper
Lubbock R. C. Taylor Garnet Reeves, Jr.
Memphis J. O. Dixon William
H. Dean
Midland John E.
Cooper Russell O. Smith
Midland West Bob L. Watkins Victor G. Brown
Muleshoe Troy Atkinson Albert L. Fields
Odessa “Woody” Weylandt Herb H. Atkins
Odessa East “Speedy” Braswell Dolph Miller
O’Donnell Roy Long C. Truett Hodnett
Pampa Milo E. Carlson Delmar Otis Nace
Panhandle Roy H. Lane Marice P. Garner
Perryton H. B. Pinckard J. H. Brashears
Plainview Woodrow W. Allen Wayne Byerly
Post Silas E. Short R. Lou Marks
Ralls Joel E. Tankersley Jimmy A. Ashby
Seagraves Robert G. Payne WilburGaede Seminole R. O. “Pete”
McClellan Finley Moore
Shamrock B. F. Risinger Roy Berten
Slaton O. G. “Speedy” Neiman M. G. Davis
Snyder Loren W. Sullivan Michael Ezzell
S & W Amarillo Gary Strickland Gene Shelbourne
Southwest Lubbock Dr. Hardy Clemons Donald B. Douglas
Spearman Donald K. Hergert J.L. McWhirter
Sudan Phillip M. Gordon CharlesNichols
Sweetwater Jere M. Lawrence H. H. Hawley, Jr.
Tahoka Dwain Lusk Robert E.
Abbe
Tulia Kenneth G. Gaughan
Robert W. Gleason
Wellington
Zook W. Thomas Lynn Jenkins
During his visits Governor Carruth stressed involvement in
rendering service to the communities through the Four Avenues of
Service. He called for attention to membership with emphasis on
young men being given the opportunities afforded by Rotary and urged
members to increase their support of the Rotary Foundation.
Rotarians flocked to the 44th Lubbock Inter-City meeting
that was held on the evening of September 23, 1971. The speaker was
President of Rotary International Ernst Breitholtz. Club President
R. C. Taylor and members of the Lubbock Club did an outstanding job
of providing an opportunity to “learn from the top” and engage in
great fellowship .
Since
the 1972 Rotary International Convention was held in Houston,
District 573 was asked to assist in its planning and host one of the
International Friendship Dinners. Governor Carruth and PDG Woody
Pyeatt attended the first of several planning sessions in Houston in
August, 1971.
PRIVP Rex
Webster was appointed to a committee that was to study the
reorganization of Zone membership. There was a movement to take
District 573 out of Zone I and reassign it to Zone III whose
Districts consisted of those in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri,
Arkansas and Louisiana.
The Rotary Club of Amarillo installed a new Interact Club on the
evening of October 27th. E. C. Jackson was the club Interact
Chairman and Gene Norman was the club sponsor. An Interact
delegation from Tulia was on hand.
In January, PDG Bruce Pember (Slaton) and his nominations
committee reported that Farris C. Oden (Amarillo) had been selected
to become the District Governor for the 1972-73 year. DGN Oden began
his training almost immediately by attending the Zone I meeting in
Colorado Springs January 13-16. Others attending the meeting
included PRIVP Rex Webster (Lubbock,) PDG Woody Pyeatt (Sweetwater,)
PDG R. G. Mills (Amarillo,) and Governor Carruth. Of course all
spouses attended the event that was held at the Broadmoor Hotel.
Governor Carruth was astounded to learn that PDG Wilbur, PDG Mills,
and DGN Oden knew the words to all of the World War I songs sung one
evening at the Golden Bee, the Broadmour’s pub. Governor Carruth and
PVPRI Webster had parts on the Zone I program.
Governor Carruth
involved many Rotarians from throughout the District to assist in
carrying out the programs of Rotary during his year. The Governor’s
Special Representatives included: Bill Foran (Amarillo,) Jim
McDowell (Hereford,) Bill Ledbetter (Pampa,) Clarence Darter
(Childress,) Bill Behrends (Dimmitt,) Dr. James N. Stokes (Ralls,)
Melvin Kunkel (Levelland,) Vernon F. Jones (Tahoka,) Dr. Doug Black
(Lamesa,) Bob Barker (Midland,) and Kenneth Jumper (Odessa.)
District Organization was administered by the following
Committee Chairmen: Bill Clanton (Midland) - Club Service; Kay
Fancher (Pampa) - Vocational Service; Camal Dakil (Midland) -
Community Service; Ben Brock (Snyder) - International Service; Bill
Porter (Southwest Lubbock) - Membership Development; Bob Nash
(Lubbock) - Public Relations; Stansell Clement (Lamesa) - Interact
and Rotaract; C. O. Gregory (Ralls) - Youth Service; Gordon Downing
(Canyon) - World Community Service; R. Lewis Smith (Amarillo
Northeast) - International Student Projects and Youth Exchange; Dr.
Floyd Golden (Amarillo) - Rotary Volunteers Abroad; Dr. Harley
Oberhelman (Lubbock) - Group Study Exchange; Bill Sewell (Slaton) -
Foundation Educational Awards; PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock) -
District Treasurer; L. E. “Pat” Patterson (Los Fresnos, Texas) -
District Historian; PDG Bruce Pember (Slaton) - District Nominating
Committee; Bill Irwin (Amarillo) - District Extension; Woody Marin
(Amarillo) and Don Lackey (Borger) -Golf and Inter-club Activities;
J. C. Knowles (Borger) District Resolutions; PDG R.G. Mills
(Amarillo) - Proposed Legislation; and Ray Biggs (Amarillo)
Significant Achievement Awards.
Reports received from Ann Scamahorn, the District’s Rotary
Foundation Scholarship awardee, were most encouraging. She was
studying at Eberhardt-KarlsUniversity in Tubingen, Germany. She
reported a close relationship with her host club and adequacy with
the language.
District
membership was reported to be down 5 members in January. The small
decrease was attributed to the membership work of the Lockney club
and President Hubert Frizzell. Lockney started the year with 23
members and reported 39 in January.
Three clubs celebrated their 50th anniversaries
during this year. Lubbock held a big party in February, and
Childress and Plainview recognized the event with galas in May,
1971.
The District
Conference was held in Borger April 20 -22, 1971. Club President Mel
Marshall and members of the Borger club were hosts to 42 of the 47
clubs in the District. A total of 375 Rotarians and guests were
registered. Programs were presented by PDRI Wilbur V. Lewis (Kansas
City, Special Representative of the President of R.I.; DGN Farris
Oden (Amarillo;) Stansell Clement (Lamesa;) Dr. James P. Cornette
(Canyon;) W. D. Kutach (Huntsville;) Edward K. Downing (Odessa;)
Clifford L. Dochterman (Denver;) Dr. W. Ballentine Henley (Los
Angeles;) PDG R. G. Mills (Amarillo;) Dr. Winfred Moore (Amarillo;)
and Janie Cook, Undergraduate Scholarship Awardee for 1972-73
(Amarillo.)
Jerrie Keith
served as Conference Chairman and was assisted by the following
Borger committee chairmen: David Spivey, Conference Treasurer; Homer
Wilson, Conference Secretary; Milton Kasch, Club Secretary; Dave
Harmony, Meeting Places; Arthur Waight, Meals; David Warren,
Accommodations; Bob Johnson, Transportation; Dick Roberts,
Registration; G. L. Guillot, Activities; Dale Younce, Publicity; Bob
Lindsey, Fellowship; and Andrene Marshall and Joanne Waight, Women’s
Activities.
The opening
feature of the Conference was a panel presentation entitled “Service
with Goodwill.” A presentation was made concerning young offenders
and how community leaders could assists them to productively return
to society. Information was given on how Rotary Clubs could lend
service to minority areas of their communities through minority
leadership. Edward K. Downing (Odessa) spoke on “Opportunities for
Community Service” and PDG Cliff Dochterman (Denver) spoke on
“Service is the Name of the Game.” After a luncheon address by
Special Representative Wilbur Lewis, Rotary Information Sessions
were held on the Four Avenues of Service.
Friday evening “An
Evening in Hawaii” was hosted by the Borger Rotary Club, complete
with flaming torches, roast pig, leis, and Hawaiian war chants. PDG
W. Ballentine Henley (Los Angeles) was the featured speaker.
Saturday was devoted to
District business, District projects, and awards. The conference
adjourned after the noon luncheon.
A large number of Rotarians from District 573 attended
the International Convention in Houston June 11-16, 1971. The
District hosted one of five International Friendship Dinners on the
evening of June 13. More than 750 Rotarians and guests attended the
affair and included many Rotarians from District 573, a large
delegation from Brazil, many friends from Zone I, and Rotarians from
other countries. Clubs in the District furnished mementos in large
quantities and included printed menus on Burlington Mill cloth from
Post; samples of crude oil sent by Pampa; polished core samples
furnished by Odessa; miniature bales of cotton donated by Tahoka;
and capsules of helium presented by South and West Amarillo. The
Lubbock club arranged for a company plane to fly Bernie Howell and
the Triolins from Lubbock to Houston and back for the occasion.
Floyd Boze (Lubbock) placed fourth in the World Rotary Golf
Tournament held in Houston during the International Convention.
The District Assembly
was hosted by the Hereford Rotary Club on June 23-24, 1971. This was
the first and only time that a two day assembly was tried.
Thirty-six of 47 clubs were represented and attendance totaled 90
Rotarians. Club President Kenneth R. Rogers was assisted by Herman
Ford, Transportation; Jack Wilcox, Hospitality; Ben Childers,
Registration; Dub Hair and Les Combs, Meeting Rooms; Rodger Ruland,
Sgt.-at-Arms; and Bill Davis and Mack Tubb, Recreation.
In addition to
presentations made by the Governor and DGN Oden, Rotarians from all
over the District assisted. They included Gene Shelbourne (South and
West Amarillo;) PDG Earl Wilbur, Bill Clanton (Midland;) PDG Jimmy
Willson (Floydada;) PDG Jerry Ratcliff (Amarillo;) E. E. Shelhamer
(Pampa;) PDG R. G. Mills (Amarillo;) PDG Bruce Pember (Slaton;) Jim
Kone (Amarillo;) PDG Elmo Wasson (Big Spring;) Marshall Formby
(Plainview;) PDG Charles Reynolds (Childress;) and PDG Burnett
Roberts (Levelland.)
In
his end of the year report to Rotary International, the Governor
cited the following clubs for their work: Amarillo for its several
community service projects; Floydada and Ralls for their attendance
records; Lubbock for fund raising and community service; Hereford
and Perryton for their fund raising projects; and Lockney and Lamesa
for membership growth.
Rotarians who were cited for showing exceptional qualities of
leadership included Jim Kone (Amarillo,) Melvin Marshall (Borger,)
Ross Smith (Childress,) Hubert Frizzell (Lockney,) R. C. Taylor
(Lubbock,) John Banasik (Amarillo Northeast,) Harley Oberhelman
(Lubbock,) and John E. Cooper (Midland.)
Membership in the
District declined by 2 members during the year to 2400. The balance
in the District Treasury on June 30 totaled $4840.17.
1972 - 1973
Readers of this narrative might recall many of the headlines that
captured the attention of Americans during this span of time. George
McGovern, the Democrat Party nominee, announced his 1000% support of
his running mate, Thomas Eagleton. Jane Fonda visited North Vietnam
and broadcast from Hanoi radio an appeal for the United States to
stop the bombing of North Vietnam. In August the last U.S. ground
troops were removed from Vietnam. On August 8, Arab terrorists
killed 11 Israeli Olympic team members at the games being held in
Munich, West Germany. Mark Spitz of California won 7 gold medals in
swimming events at the same meet. Seven members of the White House
staff were indicted on conspiracy charges in the Watergate case
shortly before Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew were re-elected in a
landslide victory. In January, 1973 the U.S. Supreme Court
overturned abortion laws in the case known as Roe vs. Wade. That
same month the military draft ended and the United States signed a
cease fire agreement with Vietnam. In April President Nixon accepted
the resignations of top aides H. R. Halderman, John Ehrlichman, and
Richard Kleindienst. He fired John Dean who admitted responsibility
for the Watergate break-in. Senator Sam Ervin opened the Senate
hearings on Watergate about the same time that a 70 day long
confrontation between Indians and federal agents took place at
Wounded Knee, South Dakota.
The good news was that on July 1, 1972 Roy D. Hickman of
Birmingham, Alabama became President of Rotary International. His
theme for the year was “Let’s Take a New Look--and Act.” Rotary
continued to grow outside of the United States. The number of clubs
totaled 15,375 and had 725,271 members. Contributions to the Rotary
Foundation also surged to $4.4 million and allowed educational
awards to be given to 377 students.
District 573 was once again fortunate to have a man
with outstanding leadership ability and a dedication to Rotary
assume the governorship. Farris C. Oden became the governor of
District 573 on July 1. 1972. He was born in Amity, Arkansas,
graduated from the University of Oklahoma, married Dorothy, and
enjoyed hunting and fishing. Farris spent his career in the
insurance and financial business beginning in Pampa and later moving
to Amarillo. He was a partner in the Panhandle Insurance Agency,
became president of Security Federal Savings and Loans Association,
served as Executive Vice President, President, and Chairman of the
Board of Western National Life Insurance Company, was Vice President
and Director of Southwestern Investment Company and a Director of
Comco Insurance Company.
Farris’ abilities were recognized in his communities and
reflected a stellar civic career. He was President of the Pampa
Chamber of Commerce, Mayor of Pampa, Pampa’s Outstanding Citizen,
Chairman of the Board and Superintendent of Sunday Schools in the
Pampa Methodist Church, Vice President and Director of the Amarillo
YMCA, Chairman and President of the Amarillo United Fund, President
of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, President of the Llano Estacado
Council, Boy Scouts of America, recipient of Scouting’s Silver
Beaver Award, and served as a member of the Board of Directors at
McMurry College.
He was
well founded in Rotary, having joined the Pampa Rotary Club in 1932.
Prior to becoming Governor, Mr. Oden had attended four International
Conventions, helped the Pampa club form the Shamrock Rotary Club in
1938, served on many Rotary committees, and had a long string of
years of perfect attendance in Rotary. Farris and Dorothy attended
the Zone I meeting in 1971 that was held in Colorado Springs
followed by the 1972 Zone I meeting in Hilo, Hawaii. Together they
participated in the Rotary International Assembly in Lake Placid,
New York, a week of intense training in Rotary.
Governor Oden, accompanied by his wife Dorothy, commenced
his official visits to the 47 clubs in the District early in July.
During the year he worked closely with the following club officers:
CLUB PRESIDENT SECRETARIES
Amarillo Dr. John D. Colvert Robert Hoffman
Amarillo Northeast David H. Willis Forrest Ziegenhorn
Andrews Jerrold Hotchkin Brad Call
Big Spring A. J. Statser W. T. McRee
Borger Arthur A. Waight, Jr. Don C. Ormson
Brownfield A. M. “Mont” Moldrow William Caraway
Canadian Evan D. Daugherty Vernon B. Morse
Canyon Lee Roy Moreland Harold G. Kimber
Denver City Walter D. Norman James R. Mason
Dimmitt Reeford Burrows Bill E. Behrends
Dumas Frank J. Vollert Eual D. Strickland
Floydada A. E. Baker Bill Hardin
Greater Lubbock Don Crow Tony Gustwick
Hereford “Mike” Patrick Byron E. Morgan
Lamesa E. Philip White Louis R. Morris
Levelland Howard Maddera A. N. Bennett
Littlefield Ernest Connell Huston Hoover
Lockney T. Owen Thornton Leslie Ferguson
Lubbock Dr. Glen Barnett Odie Hood
Memphis James B. Zimmerman Russell O. Smith
Midland West Marvin D. Eastman Barron L. Storey
Muleshoe Kerry G. Moore Robert Blackwood
Odessa Howard Purvis Everett Berry
Odessa East Gene E. Hurt John Oakes
O’Donnell “Tommy” Woolam C. Truett Hodnett
Pampa Paul Payne D. Otis Nace
Panhandle James H. O’Neal Maurice P. Garner
Perryton Josh H. Hopkins Jinks H. Brashears
Plainview David Willson Jim Holt
Post Jack Alexander R. Lou Marks
Ralls Jerry Hestand Clay. Cunningham
Seagraves Jerrell F. Allen Ben Knight
Seminole Roy McQueen John L. Sheppard
Shamrock Fred Hofman Carroll Williams
Slaton T. J. Wallace Harvey L. Morton
Snyder Roy Carter Michael H. Ezzell
South & West Amarillo Phil Tully W. E. Raah
Southwest Lubbock M. Dan Howard Henry L. Huneke
Spearman Wesley H. Garnett, Jr. Chet L. Wise
Sudan Kenneth T. Noles Charles E. Nichols
Sweetwater Wilson E. Guest Henry Hawley, Jr.
Tahoka Binie White Robert E.
Abbe
Tulia Jerry McGuire
Robert W. Gleason
Wellington
Zook Thomas Harold W. Gattis
Governor Oden reported that the District was honored on
August 3rd with a visit by the President of Rotary International,
Roy D. Hickman. President Hickman stopped in Ralls for a visit with
Past R.I. President J. Edd McLaughlin. At the regular meeting of the
Ralls club, President Hickman stressed his theme and added that
“strengthening a club through new projects and new members is an
individual responsibility” and urged individual efforts to promote
international understanding.
The District Nominating Committee, chaired by PDG Bruce
Pember, offered the name of Marshall Formby of Plainview to be the
District Governor in 1973-74. In accepting the nomination DGN
Formby, holding the classification of Criminal Law, said that he
would have nothing to do with the “criminals” in the Plainview
Rotary Club.
Eight
Rotarians were recognized by Governor Oden for perfect attendance as
follows: C. H. Hamilton - 38 years (Lubbock;) R. H. Lowrey - 36
years (Lubbock;) Grover C. Fox -40 years (Childress;) PDG Morris
Higley - 37 years (Childress;) Arch Hunsley - 45 years (Canyon;) J.
C. Knowles - 35 years (Borger;) Keith Oehlschlager - 35 years
(Odessa;) and Owen C. Taylor - 35 years (Lamesa.) In later years
some of these Rotarians ran the string to almost 60 years.
Two of the programs that
Governor Oden continually stressed during his year were membership
growth and support of the Rotary Foundation . He was pleased to see
clubs taking his urging to heart at mid-year. Membership had grown
by 20 and several Paul Harris Fellows and Sustaining Members had
emerged. Other District Committees reporting much interest included
Youth Exchange and Scholarship Awards.
Governor Oden drew support for his many
responsibilities in the District from a great pool of talent. His
Special Representatives included: John Banasik (Amarillo Northeast;)
Jim Cook (South and West Amarillo;) Mel Marshall (Borger;) John
Forbis (Childress;) Warren Dayton (Littlefield;) Joel Tankersley
(Ralls;) Bill Pope (Levelland;) Dwaine Lusk (Tahoka;) Malcolm Harp
(Lamesa;) Bob Watkins (Midland;) and Nojem Libson (Odessa.) Nojem
was one hard working “heap big injun.”
His District Committee Chairmen included: Bill Clanton
(Odessa East) - Club Service; E. E. Shelhamer (Pampa) Vocational
Service; Jim Kone (Amarillo) - Community Service; Hubert Frizzell
(Lockney) - Membership Development; Marshall Formby (Plainview) -
International Service; Bob Mills (Amarillo) and Bob Nash (Lubbock)-
Public Relations; Kenneth Jumper (Odessa) - Interact and Rotaract;
H. B. “Pinky” Pinckard (Perryton - Youth Service; Leo Holmes
(Brownfield) - World Community Service; Harold C. Reynolds (Tahoka)
- Youth Exchange; Dr. Harley Oberhelman (Lubbock) - Group Study
Exchange; PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon) - Foundation Educational
Awards; PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock) - Treasurer; PDG L. E. “Pat”
Patterson (Los Fresnos) - Historian; Bill Porter (Greater Lubbock) -
Extension; Hal Brown (Amarillo) - Golf and Inter-club Activities;
PDG Charles Reynolds (Amarillo) - Resolutions; PDG R.G. Mills
(Amarillo) - Legislation; David Tucker (Pampa) -Significant
Achievement Awards; and PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon) Rotary Foundation
Promotion).
In December,
the Andrews Rotary Club completed the organization of a new Interact
Club in the Andrews High School. Jerrold Hotchkin, Andrews club
president, reported that 26 fine, young, high school students
comprised the group of charter members.
Dr. Harley Oberhelman, tireless chairman of the Group
Study Exchange Committee, reported the selection of the team going
to District 141 in Finland the last of May, 1973. The team consisted
of John A. Anderson (Lubbock;) Charles W. Johnston (Childress;)
Giles D. Passmore (Sweetwater;) Gary W. Rutz (Amarillo;) and Milton
L. Saltzman (Pampa.) Team leader was Dr. Oberhelman.
The District Conference
was held in Lubbock on March 29 - 31, 1973. Thirty-five of the 47
clubs in the District were represented. A total of 406 Rotarians and
guests reveled in the hospitality of the Lubbock club and were
treated to an outstanding array of programs. Governor Oden’s
Conference theme was “Information - Inspiration - Action.” Notables
included: John C. Dalton, Special Representative of the President of
R.I. and Director of R.I. who hailed from Bellflower, California;
PPRI J. Edd McLaughlin (Ralls;) PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock;) PDG Dr.
Martin “Marty” Fleck (Albuquerque;) and Dr. Harry Vanderpool
(Albuquerque.) PVPRI Rex Webster led plenty of singing and sang a
duet with his wife Madge while President Glen Barnett and members of
the host Lubbock club made sure there was plenty of fellowship.
Byron “Buck” White
(Lubbock) was chairman of the conference committee. PDG J. Roy Wells
(Lubbock) was Conference Secretary and George Pratas (Lubbock)
served as Conference Treasurer.
The District Assembly, presided over by DGN Marshall
Formby (Plainview,) was hosted by Club President David Willson and
members of the Plainview Rotary Club on June 12, 1973. Thirty-seven
of 47 clubs were represented and attendance totaled 169 Rotarians.
Sessions were devoted to the major aspects of Rotary experienced
Rotarians from all areas of the District served as leaders. Of
course, PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock) led the singing, but also
presented an up-date on “What’s New in Rotary. The programs of the
Rotary Foundation were covered by PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon) who was
assisted by Bill Foran (Amarillo) and PDG Roy Wells (Lubbock). The
nuts and bolts of membership development was the crux of a
presentation by A. J. Statser (Big Spring.) Kay Fancher (Pampa)
covered a wide range of information in his topic “Rotary
Information.” The areas of club service were treated by DGN Marshall
Formby (Plainview,) PDG Woody Pyeatt (Sweetwater,) PDG R. G. Mills
(Amarillo,) PDG Jimmy Willson (Floydada,) Bill Porter (South and
West Lubbock,) Mancie King (Plainview,) Myron Morgan (Hereford,) and
Jim Storey (South and West Lubbock.) Governor Oden reported that the
programs were excellent and participation was enthusiastic.
In his final report to
Rotary International, Governor Oden cited the Lubbock Club’s project
of support of the Cerebral Palsy Center, the Childress Club’s
project of the Rotary Bowl and its new roof, and the Andrews Club’s
World Community Service project of supporting the Boquillas, Mexico
schools. He also was impressed with the work of Dan Howard,
President of the Southwest Lubbock Rotary Club, in building that
club, and A. J. Statser, President of the Big Spring Rotary Club in
membership development. The governor was elated that contributions
to the Rotary Foundation had exceeded $18,000, that the District
membership grew by a total of 42 members, and that the District
Treasury now contained $5,254.70.
CHAPTER III
A TIME
OF POLITICAL UNREST
1973
- 1974
Headlines holding
Rotarian’s attention during this period centered on Watergate. On
July 16th, the Senate learned of President Nixon’s tapes of
conversations in the Oval Office. A month later Vice President Agnew
became the focus of an investigation concerning tax evasion. Judge
Sirica ordered President Nixon to release his tapes in late August
but the President declined to do so.
In the hustle of the year, Bobby Riggs was defeated
in a $100,000 tennis match in the Astro Dome in Houston on Sept. 20.
A month later Vice President Agnew resigned his office and House
Speaker Gerald Ford was named as his successor. On October 21, the
Oakland A’s won the World Series and two days later President Nixon
agreed to release some tapes while denying that others existed.
Rotarians lined up at the gas pumps in November when an energy
crisis loomed and left gasoline in short supply. The Alaska pipeline
was authorized, inflation was spiraling upward, and Arabs were
raising oil prices. In 1974, Wilbur Mills had a fling with stripper
Fannie Fox, “streakers” hit the campuses, America turned down their
thermostats, and the U.S. House of Representatives’ Judiciary
Committee began conducting impeachment hearings.
While national political
life was unraveling at the seams Rotary continued to expand its
influence. On July 1,1973 William C. Carter from the London suburb
of Battersea, England assumed the office of President of Rotary
International. His theme for the year was “A Time for Action.” The
Council on Legislation met and voted to meet every third year
instead of every other year. Foundation contributions grew to $5.8
million and educational awards were made to 539 students.
July 1, 1973 also was
the date that District 573’s own Marshall Formby became Governor.
Marshall was born at Como, Hopkins County, Texas. He entered the
U.S. Army in 1942 as a private and was discharged four years later
as a captain. His last two years of service was in Europe with the
Army Engineers. He earned degrees at Texas Tech University, the
University of Texas, and Baylor Law School. Marshall was admitted to
the Bar to practice law in 1951.
Marshall was a man of many interests and talents and he
possessed a polished sense of humor. His service to his communities,
region, and state was freely given. He served as County Judge of
Dickens County, State Senator, Chairman of the Texas Highway
Commission, member of the Board of Regents of Texas Tech University,
and member of the Coordinating Board, Texas Colleges and
Universities. He was President of his local Bar Association,
President of the Plainview YMCA, active in the Chamber of Commerce,
and was selected as Plainview’s Man of the Year in 1973. In addition
to the law, business interests included radio stations, farming,
newspaper publishing, and banking. He found time to write a book
entitled These Are My People. Marshall was internationally famous
for the suits that he wore.
Marshall married Sharleen and together they raised two
children, a son and a daughter. They frequently heard him say, “If
it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” and, “God said it, I believe it, and
that settles it.” After the arrival of his first grandchild he was
heard to say, “Happiness is sitting on the porch rocking your
grandbaby while watching it rain.” Philosophers, take note.
Before joining the Plainview Rotary Club Governor Formby
was a member of the Rotary clubs in Spur, Snyder, and Hereford. He
brought a wealth of experience in Rotary to his new office, but
spent a good deal of time preparing for the job ahead of time. He
attended the Zone I meeting in the Spring of 1973 in Hilo, Hawaii
along with Governor Farris Oden and PDG Paige Carruth. He spent nine
days of intensive Rotary training at the Rotary International
Assembly in Lake Placid, N.Y. From there he went to the
International Convention in Lausanne, Switzerland then on to
District 141 in Finland to visit the District 573 Group Study
Exchange Team for three days. On returning to the District, he and
Sharleen began making official visits to the 47 clubs in early July,
1973. Presidents and Secretaries providing leadership for the year
were as follows:
CLUBS
PRESIDENTS SECRETARIES
Amarillo Tom S. Clopton William L. Prather
Amarillo Northeast Howard L. Bailey Forrest Ziegenhorn
Andrews George B. Harrill Bradley Keith Call
Big Spring Ralph Gossett William T. McRee
Borger Robert L. Wilson Donald C. Ormson
Brownfield Charles R. Fulkerson James B. Willis
Canadian Tom Link Vernon B. Morse
Canyon W. Mitchell Jones George Loudder
Childress Donald E. Johnston Kenneth E. Fink
Dalhart Harlon E. Gaskill Kenneth Martin
Denver City Falcon McAllister James R. Mason
Dimmitt Charles Vandiver Emmett Broderson
Dumas Dr. Bryon W. Wright Eual D. Strickland
Floydada Floyd C. Bradley Bill Hardin
Greater Lubbock Tom M. Mills, Jr. Tony Gustwick
Hereford Marcus A. Heilscher Myron E. Morgan
Lamesa Louis R. Morris Charles Bratcher
Levelland Bob Reynolds Arvel N. Bennett
Littlefield Pat D. Bradley Huston Hoover
Lockney J. D. Copeland Wilbur Mize
Lubbock Byron B. White Whitney R. Victory
Memphis Billy Combs M. L. VanArsdel
Midland John Tyler Russell O. Smith
Midland West Lloyd MacDonald R. W. Harrington
Muleshoe Jess Winn J. M. Hefner
Odessa Don R. Williams Everett O. Berry
Odessa East Dolph Miller Thomas Zeigler
O’Donnell B. Wendell Edwards C. Truett Hodnett
Pampa Rex H. McAnelly D. Otis Nace
Panhandle Lynn Hulsey Maurice P. Garner
Perryton Leo Meyers Jinks H. Brashears
Plainview Frank Gabriel Robert E. Wilson
Post Grant Lott R. Lou Marks
Ralls Frank T. Wilson Clay. Cunningham
Seagraves N. B. Fields Weyland Mullins
Seminole John C. Golmon John
L. Shepherd
Shamrock John C.
Wooly B. F. Risinger, Sr.
Slaton William R. Sewell Harvey Morton
Snyder Garland Rex Robinson Frank M. Miller
South & West Amarillo Gene Shelburne Bob East
Southwest Lubbock Donald B. Douglass H. A. Sessions
Spearman Jack T. McWhirter Chet L. Wise
Sudan George R. Nichols Charles E. Nichols
Sweetwater Paul Cain Drennon Daves
Tahoka John W. Wells Robert W. Gleason
Wellington Sandy K. Parsons, Jr. Harold W. Gattis
District Governors always had interesting stories to tell
about some of their official visits. The Formbys were asleep late
one night in a motel where the switchboard was turned off at 10:00
PM. Their children tried unsuccessfully to reach them by phone.
Frustration led to worry and they called the sheriff. A deputy was
dispatched to the motel and with red lights flashing outside the
room he pounded on the door. Sharleen was terrified. Marshall
wondered if he should confess. Relief flooded the room when they
were told to contact their children. At another city they were
returning to their motel room from breakfast one morning. The hour
was late and they were in a hurry. Murphy’s law kicked in. When
Marshall keyed the door it fell apart leaving him holding a useless
handle. At another club visit Sharleen got to catch up on her
reading. She was not included in any of the club’s plans.
Governor Formby reported
much activity during the month of September. The District 141 Group
Study Exchange Team from Finland arrived in Amarillo on September
16, 1973 and began their five week tour of the District. The team
leader was Rotarian Kalervo Mustonen. The team was honored at an
Inter-city meeting at noon on September 20th at the Amarillo Country
Club. Participating clubs included Amarillo, Amarillo South and
West, Amarillo Northeast and Canyon. The Lubbock Rotary Club treated
all visiting Rotarians to dinner at the Lubbock Inter-city meeting
held September 26th at the Texas Tech Coliseum. George Walker Bush
of Houston, Texas was the speaker.
In October Governor Formby and Sharleen, PVPRI Rex
Webster and Madge (Lubbock), and Bill Porter and Betsy (Southwest
Lubbock) attended a Zone meeting in Dallas. The Governor reported
that effective July, 1974, District 573 would be reassigned from
Zone I to Zone 5 which was composed of Districts in Texas, Oklahoma,
Missouri, and Kansas. He also reported that PVPRI Webster was
serving on the Nominating Committee for the President of Rotary
International.
Nicholas
Ampatin, Technical Training Awardee from Cebu City, Philippines
spent the academic year in Amarillo. He studied Radio-T.V. at
Amarillo College during his stay.
In December, the Rotary Club of Childress put on a
“Womanless Wedding.” Twenty-nine members of the club were involved,
with some of them dressed as women. The club reported a full house
with 600 people attended. The fund raiser netted the club $1250 and
was a fun event.
A sad
farewell was bid to the Wellington Rotary Club in December, 1973. At
one time the Wellington Club was a strong club but a declining
population reduced its ranks of members and ultimately the club
decided to turn in its charter.
In January, PDG Bruce Pember, Chairman of the Nominating
Committee reported that his group had named Dr. Emil Prohl to be the
next Governor for District 573 beginning July 1, 1974. DGN Prohl was
from Tahoka. Bill Porter (Southwest Lubbock) was set for this
assignment but Bill’s fuel wholesaler canceled his quota of fuel due
to the fuel crisis and send Bill scrambling for another supplier for
his business. It was hoped that Bill might be able to serve the
District as Governor at a later time. DGN Prohl and wife Grace
attended the Zone I meeting held in January at Monterey, California.
To help him administer
the affairs of the District, Governor Formby enlisted the support of
a fine group of Rotarians. The Governor’s Special Representatives
consisted of the following eleven men: Charles Woodburn (Amarillo;)
W. R. “Dub” Hair (Hereford;) Kay Fancher (Pampa;) Virgil McGee
(Childress;) Warren Dayton (Littlefield;) Glenn Bickel (Plainview;)
Dr. Roy Wells (Lubbock;) Truett Hodnett (O’Donnell;) Roy McQueen
(Seminole;) A. J. Statser (Big Spring;) and Bill Clanton (Odessa
East.)
District
Committee Chairmen were as follows: Earnest Connell (Littlefield) -
Club Service; A. E. Baker (Floydada) - Vocational Service; Jim Kone
(Amarillo) - Community Service; Wilson Guest (Sweetwater) -
International Service; Hubert Frizzell (Lockney -Membership
Development; Bob Nash (Lubbock) - Public Relations; Jerold Hotchkin
(Andrews) - Interact and Rotaract; Arthur A. Waight, Jr. (Borger) -
Youth Service; Leo Holmes (Brownfield) - World Community Service;
Harold C. Reynolds (Tahoka) - Youth Exchange; Dr. Harley Oberhelman
(Lubbock) - Group Study Exchange; PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon) -
Foundation Educational Awards; PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock) -
Treasurer; L. E. “Pat” Patterson (Los Fresnos) - Historian; PDG
Bruce Pember (Slaton) - Nominations; O. C. “Tom” Thomas (Ralls) -
Extension; Jack E. Townzen (Odessa) - Golf; PDG Charles Reynolds
(Amarillo) - Resolutions; PDG R.G. Mills (Amarillo) - Proposed
Legislation; Bill Sewell (Slaton) - Significant Achievement Awards;
and PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon) - Foundation Promotion.
In April, Governor
Formby reported 20 new Paul Harris Fellows in the District and that
contributions to the Foundation were up substantially. Gene
Shelburne, President of the South and West Amarillo club reported
the chartering of a new Interact Club at Tascosa High School on
April 19th. That was the second club in Amarillo. The Rotary Club of
Perryton reported that after expenses were paid they netted $1100 on
their annual George Washington’s Birthday Cherry Pie Sale. The money
was divided between the Y. M. C. A. building fund and a new day
nursery facility. PDG Paige Carruth reported that District Rotary
Clubs had nominated 29 applicants for the three Scholarship Awards
the District had to offer. That was a record number of applicants
and assured top notch selections.
The District Conference was held in Odessa, April 4 - 6,
1974. Of the 46 clubs in the District, 36 were represented at the
conference. Registration totaled 406 Rotarians and guests. The
conference was hosted by both the Odessa (Don Williams, President)
and Odessa East (Dolph Miller, President) Rotary Clubs. Conference
Co-chairmen were PDG Louis Rochester (Odessa) and J. E. Perkins
(Odessa East.) They were assisted by the following committee
chairmen: Neil L. Grape - Treasurer; Everett O. Berry - Secretary;
W. Michael Furman - Budget; John A. Martin - Meeting Places; Harold
L. Drummond - Boy Scouts; Bill Casstevens - Decorations; W. M. Holm
- Entertainment; Mrs. Everett Berry - Ladies Activities; Joe L.
Price - Attendance, Promotion, and Publicity; Milton J. Namken -
Housing; C. Gail Smith - Printing; Dr. Jack Rodgers - Reception;
Clay Styles - Registration; Oran Britt - Transportation; Jack E.
Townzen - Golf; Malvern McDonald - Resolutions; and Fred Howard -
Sergeant-at-arms.
The
President of Rotary International sent PDG Mark C. Hollis of
Lakeland, Florida as his Special Representative and Governor Formby
reported that he was an outstanding addition to the conference.
Other speakers included PPRI Edd McLaughlin (Ralls,) Dr. L. L.
Morris (Pastor, First Baptist Church, Midland,) PDG Farris Oden
(Amarillo,) PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon,) PDG Burnett Roberts
(Levelland,) John Henry Faulk (Banquet speaker from Austin,) Delbert
Downing (Midland,) Dr. Harley Oberhelman (Lubbock,) and PDG R. G.
Mills (Amarillo.) The following awards were presented: Best
Bulletin: Borger (Dick Roberts, Editor;) Best percentage gain in
membership: Shamrock (John C. Wooly, President;) Greatest number of
new members: South and West Amarillo (Gene Shelburne, President;)
greatest number of members present at the conference: Muleshoe (Jess
Winn, President;) and Golf trophy: Kellus Turner (Odessa.). PVPRI
Rex Webster and Madge were representing R.I. President Bill Carter
as several District Conferences in Australia and could not attend
the District 573 Conference, one of very few that they missed.
On May 26, 1974 DGN Emil
Prohl and wife Grace left for Lake Placid, N.Y. to undergo eight
days of intensive Rotary training at the International Assembly.
This was the last year that the Assembly was held at Lake Placid. It
was moved to Boca Raton, Florida the following year. From the
Assembly, the Prohls went to the International Convention in
Minneapolis, Minn. where they joined DG Formby and Sharleen.
Governor Formby was
District 573’s representative at the Council on Legislation that was
held prior to the convention in Minneapolis. The Council involved
two long and very full day meetings. DG Formby reported that
District 573 was well represented at the convention by many incoming
presidents, presidents, PDGs, and Rotarians and wives.
The District Assembly
chaired by Dr. Emil Prohl, a training program for in-coming club
officers and committee chairmen, was held in Canyon on June 18,
1974. Club President W. Mitchell Jones was assisted by members of
the Canyon Rotary Club in hosting the Assembly. Thirty-eight of the
46 clubs in the District were represented and a total of 106
Rotarians were in attendance. Presentations were made by Governor
Formby, DGN Emil Prohl (Tahoka,) PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon,) Gene
Shelburne (South & West Amarillo,) PDG Jimmy Willson (Floydada,) PDG
R.G. Mills (Amarillo,) PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock,) and PDG Earl
Wilbur (Dalhart.)
In his
end of the year report to Rotary International Governor Formby
lauded the following clubs for providing valuable community service
in needed areas: Lubbock - cerebral palsy; Andrews - Boquillas,
Mexico; Childress - Rotary Bowl in city park; Plainview - health
clinic; South and West Amarillo - new Interact Club; Slaton - help
with local hospital; Midland - support of local ranch for girls from
broken homes; and Big Spring - sponsorship of Boy Scouts. As usual,
the Rotary Clubs of Floydada and Ralls were leaders in attendance.
Gene Shelburne,
President of the South and West Amarillo Rotary Club was cited for
leading the club in membership growth. A total of 18 new members
were added to the roster. Governor Formby also mentioned that the
club had a great year in all of their club activities.
Governor Formby closed
by reporting District membership in the 46 clubs had fallen by 7
members to 2,435 Rotarians. Funds in the District treasury grew to
$6001.53 at the end of the Rotary year.
Editor’s note: PDG Marshall Formby died December 27,
1984. Shortly after his death his widow, Sharleen, began a series of
Paul Harris Fellow memorials in Marshall’s memory and as an honor to
the Plainview Rotary Club. Sharleen, now Sharleen Formby Rhoads of
Midland, had presented 19 PHF awards as of August, 1997 to the
following honorees:
Plainview Rotary Club
Larry
McEachern, attorney
James
Thomas, Plainview Daily Herald
Robin Webster Bass, daughter of Rex and Madge
Webster
Don Roberts,
pharmacist
Steve Long,
Wayland Baptist University
Dr. Wallace E. Davis, Pres. of Wayland Baptist Univ.
Joe Ed Sullivan, insurance
Land Wall, Executive Director Prairie House
Joe Wright, travel agent
John Skaggs, Banker
Dr. Bobby McGeee, retired agronomist
Colorado City Rotary Club
Mark Piland, attorney
Big Spring Rotary Club
Lee
Covington, Girls’ RYLA
Rotary
Club of Lubbock
Dr. Robert
Lawless, President, Texas Tech University
Midland West Rotary Club
Leslie R. Hinds
Midland Rotary Club
Carroll
M. Thomas, Midland past mayor
Sharla Hotchkiss, chair of “Keep Midland Beautiful”
Midland Honorees
Mrs.
Charlotte J. Seay, Girls’ RYLA
Tom Craddick, House member, Texas Legislature
1974 - 1975
At
the beginning of this Rotary year the Watergate scandal continued to
exact its toll. President Nixon resigned his office on August 9 and
was replaced by Gerald Ford. The same month one of America’s great
heroes died, Charles A. Lindbergh. Gold was selling for $190 an
ounce, the U.S. Treasury was facing a whopping $11 billion deficit,
and the country was in an economic recession. The December issue of
U.S. News and World Report carried a special section entitled, “The
Losing Battle Against Crime in America.” Jack Benny’s death was
reported in January, 1975. A total of 26 top Nixon aides were
declared guilty in the Watergate scandal. The Vietnam era came to an
end when the U.S completely pulled out all military forces and South
Vietnam surrendered to North Vietnam. The recession prompted a $22
billion tax cut as unemployment rose to 8.9%.
Rotary International
continued its growth and expanding influence during this year.
William R. Robbins of Fort Lauderdale, Florida became the President
of Rotary International on July 1, 1974 and heralded the theme
“Renew the Spirit of Rotary.” Contributions to the Foundation surged
to $7.1 million and allowed 699 educational awards to be granted.
Emil Prohl joined ranks
with President Bill Robbins as an officer in Rotary by becoming the
Governor of District 573. Emil was born and raised in Port Arthur,
Texas. He married Grace Davis and together they raised a son and a
daughter. Governor Prohl and wife Grace were long-time residents of
Tahoka. After graduating from Baylor Medical School and completing
two years of internship he established a medical practice in Tahoka
in 1937 and joined Rotary the same year. He built and operated
Tahoka Clinic and Hospital, retiring in 1972.
During his 38 years in
Rotary Governor Prohl attended 6 International Conventions, 21
District Conferences and served his club in many different
capacities. His civic leadership included work with Boy Scouts,
other youth groups, the Tahoka Chamber of Commerce, and school
board. He was a Mason, a Shriner, and was active in Eastern Star and
Rainbow Girls work.
Governor Prohl, accompanied by Grace, attended two Zone meetings,
the District 573 Assembly, the International Assembly in Lake
Placid, New York, and the International Convention in
Minneapolis-St. Paul prior to becoming Governor. He and Grace were
ready to begin making official visits to the 46 clubs in the
District in early July and looked forward to becoming better
acquainted with the following club officers:
CLUBS PRESIDENTS SECRETARIES
Amarillo Wayne P. Sturdivant Basil E. Walker, Jr.
Amarillo Northeast J. Jerry
Merchant Forrest Ziegenhorn
Andrews Reeder F. Price Eugene Thompson
Big Spring Jimmy Taylor Riley Foster
Borger Jack Clark G. L. Guillot
Brownfield W. O. Caraway J. Stan Blacklock
Canadian Howard D. Quiett Vernon B. Morse
Canyon John Sommer George Loudder
Childress James R. Harman Kenneth E. Fink
Dalhart Harold Kimber
Freddie Ferrell
Denver City
Dale Cole James R. Mason
Dimmitt Bill Behrends Emmett Broderson
Dumas Jack Thornton Earl Ferris
Floydada George W. Miller Bill Hardin
Greater Lubbock Dallas Baugh Tommy G. Cantrell
Hereford Buddy Peeler Stanley Simmons
Lamesa John T. Agee Charles F. Bratcher
Levelland Marvin Baker Arvel N. Bennett
Littlefield B. W. Armistead Emery P. Blume
Lockney Boyce Mosley Arthur Barker, Jr.
Lubbock A. B. Watkins
Gilbert Vasquez
Memphis Bill
R. Wood M. L. VanArsdel
Midland John W. Young Russel O. Smith
Midland West Jimmie F. Rhoads R. W. Harrington
Muleshoe Gilbert P. Lamb J. M. Hefner
Odessa Robert H. Latta Morris E. Petty
Odessa East Aaron A. Keil Thomas R. Zeigler
O’Donnell Richard B. Mansell C. Truett Hodnett
Pampa Charles D. Zlomke Delmar Otis Nace
Panhandle De Holliman Maurice P. Garner
Perryton Quentin Rizley Jinks H. Brashears
Plainview James L. Robinson Norman Huggins
Post James R. Bell Lou Marks
Ralls Robert B. Spoonemore Dean Taylor
Seagraves Weyland R. Mullins Doyle L. Corder
Seminole Tom R. Coffee John Shepard
Shamrock Seibert Worley John Glasscock
Slaton J. C. McClesky Ansil O’Neil
Snyder Michael H. Ezzell Frank M. Miller
South & West Amarillo John Heetland D. O. Adams
Southwest Lubbock Sammy O. Ribble Bob Holliday
Spearman Peyton Gibner Chet Wise
Sudan Eddie Freeman Charles E. Nichols
Sweetwater Frank C. Grevelle Homer K. Taylor
Tahoka David Midkiff Robert E. Abbe
Tulia Howard N. Wright Robert W. Gleason
Governor Prohl’s news letters were filled with good news
in September and October, 1974. He reported that the big Lubbock
Inter-city meeting was scheduled for Tuesday evening, September 24,
1974. He also reported on the Foundation Scholarship Awardee from
District 573, Lynn Barton (Littlefield), who was enrolled in the
University of Edinburgh. The 1975-76 Awardees were Tom Woodard
(Amarillo;) Pamela Ann Owen (Canyon) and Ron Rummel (Southwest
Lubbock.) He also announced that the District would be able to grant
three more Foundation Scholarships for the 1976-77 academic year.
Governor Prohl also
reported that the District Nominating Committee (co-chaired by PDG
Bruce Pember and PDG Marshall Formby) had named Ralph Ed McLaughlin
(Big Spring) to be District Governor for the year 1974-75. In the
understatement of the year, Governor Prohl also mentioned that
Ralph’s wife, Billye, was interested in Rotary.
Governor Prohl called on many of the District’s
experienced Rotarians to assist him in furthering the causes of
Rotary during his year. His Special Representatives included: Tom
Clopton (Amarillo;) Gene Shelburne (South & West Amarillo;) Rex
McAnelly (Pampa;) Tom Abraham (Canadian;) Jess Winn (Muleshoe;)
David Willson (Plainview;) Roy Wells (Lubbock;) Truett Hodnett
(O’Donnell;) Lewis R. Morris (Lamesa;) Lloyd McDonald (Midland
West;) and Bill Clanton (Odessa East.)
District Committee Chairmen for the year were: Byron
B. White (Lubbock) - Club Service; A. E. Baker (Floydada) -
Vocational Service; PDG Louis Rochester (Odessa) - Community
Service; DGN Ralph McLaughlin (Big Spring) - International Service;
Bill Sewell (Slaton) - Membership Development; John Banasik
(Amarillo North East) - Public Relations; Garland Thornton
(Sweetwater) - Interact and Rotaract; Bob Reynolds (Levelland) -
Youth Service; Roy Long (Amarillo) - World Community Service; John
Tyler (Midland) - Youth Exchange; David A. Midkiff (Tahoka) - Rotary
Volunteers Abroad; Louis E. McClish (South & West Amarillo) - Group
Study Exchange; PDG Roy Wells (Lubbock) Foundation Educational
Awards; PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock) Treasurer; L. E. Patterson (Los
Fresnos) - Historian; PDG Marshal Formby (Plainview) and PDG Bruce
Pember (Slaton) - Nominations; Glen Bickel (Plainview) - Extension;
PDG R.G. Mills (Amarillo) - Resolutions and Proposed Legislation;
PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon) - Foundation Promotion; and Bill Sewell
(Slaton) - Significant Achievement Awards.
The Memphis Rotary Club,
sponsored by the Childress Rotary Club in 1924, celebrated its 50th
anniversary on Nov. 12. Other 50th anniversaries celebrated during
the year included Dalhart (Amarillo, 29 Jan. 1925); Slaton (Lubbock,
21 April 1925); Panhandle (Amarillo, 26 May 1925); and Sweetwater
(Stamford, 3 June 1925).
Friday, February 7, 1975 was a Red Letter Day for the Ralls
Rotary Club when R. I. President William R. Robbins visited and
spoke to a group of 200 Rotarians and guests from 15 clubs in the
District. Zone Director Don Strickland (Houston) accompanied
President Robbins.
Five
days prior to the convening of the District Conference, Governor
Emil Prohl died while visiting his daughter in Tahoka. His death
occurred at 10:00 p.m. Saturday, April 12, 1975. Rotarians from all
over the District joined Dr. Prohl’s friends and relatives at his
final services held at 3:00 p.m., April 14, 1975 at Tahoka. A week
later PDG Jimmy Willson (Floydada) conducted a thoughtful and
stirring memorial service for the Governor at the District
Conference in Pampa on April 18th.
PDG Marshall Formby (Plainview) reassumed the office of
Governor on April 14, 1975 and convened the Eighteenth District
Conference in Pampa on April 17. Of the 46 clubs in the District, 40
were represented at the Conference. Total registration was 353
Rotarians and guests. C. D. “Chuck” Zlomke, President of the Pampa
Rotary Club ensured the success of the conference with his
organization. He selected the following Pampa Rotarians to chair
committee functions: Rex McAnelly - Conference Chairman; Otis Nace -
Secretary; R. E. Imet - Treasurer; Don Nelson - Decorations; Kay
Fancher - Housing; Gary Stevens - Publicity and Printing; Melvin
Kunkel - Promotion and Attendance; Travis Lively, Sr. and George
Scott - Reception; Roy Sparkman - Registration; R. W. Curry - Golf;
Guy Clement - Transportation; C. E. Powell - Sergeant-at-Arms; W. M.
Ledbetter - Halls and Meetings; Floyd Watson and R. D. Wilkerson -
Entertainment; W. M. McElroy - Boy Scouts; and Mrs. John R. Reeve -
Ladies’ Entertainment.
PDG Dave Smith of Austin, Texas was the Special Representative of
the President of R. I. He was the in-coming Director of R.I. for
Zone 5. His lovely wife Jodie accompanied him. PVPRI Rex Webster led
the conference singing, accompanied by Bill Hailey on the piano. In
addition to District Rotarians leading discussions on the many
facets of Rotary, several special presentations were made. Joe B.
Rushing, Chancellor of Tarrant County Junior College District, gave
a speech entitled “Projecto Huasteco.” Nita Hyden, recently returned
from South Africa, discussed “Youth in the Spirit of Rotary.” Dr.
Charles Jarvis, noted speaker and dentist from San Marcus spoke at
the Governor’s Banquet. Helen Mills, PDG R.G. Mill’s wife, delivered
an outstanding speech entitled “My Husband is a Rotarian.” PDG Jimmy
Willson (Floydada) delivered an appropriate and thoughtful memorial
to Governor Prohl and PDG Elmo Wasson (Big Spring) who was killed in
a car wreck Saturday, August 10, 1974.
Awards presented at the Conference were given to Post
(James R. Bell, President) for bringing the biggest percentage of
members, Amarillo (Tom Clopton, President) for bringing the most
members, and Southwest Lubbock (editor not mentioned) for the Best
Bulletin.
The District
Assembly as held in Lubbock at the KoKo Palace on June 24, 1975 and
was co-hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Southwest Lubbock (Sammy
Ribble, President) and Greater Lubbock (Dallas Baugh, President.)
DGN Ralph McLaughlin (Big Spring) insured that there was no shortage
of knowledgeable Rotarians to lead the Rotary information sessions
for the in-coming officers and committee chairmen of the District.
Presenters included Governor Marshall Formby (Plainview,) DGN Ralph
McLaughlin (Big Spring,) PDG Woody Pyeatt (Sweetwater,) PDG Jimmy
Willson (Floydada,) PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon,) PDG R.G. Mills
(Amarillo,) PDG Burnett Roberts (Levelland,) Dr. Harley Oberhelman
(Lubbock,) Delbert Downing (Snyder,) PDG Earl Wilbur (Dalhart,) PGD
Roy Wells (Lubbock,) and PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock.)
Thirty-eight of the 45 clubs in the District were
represented at the Assembly. Registration totaled 117 Rotarians.
Grace Prohl, wife of deceased Governor Emil Prohl, was presented a
Paul Harris Fellow Award at the Assembly, making her the 37th Paul
Harris Fellow in the District.
In his final report on the District to Rotary International,
Governor Formby noted that the Sudan Rotary Club ceased to exist at
the end of April, 1975. The lack of a place to meet, food service,
and declining population led the eleven club members to vote to
relinquish their charter. He also cited the leadership in the
following clubs: Floydada, Shamrock, South and West Amarillo,
Lubbock, Amarillo, and Canyon. Attendance honors went to Floydada
whose monthly average was above 99% for the entire year. He
estimated that contributions to the Rotary Foundation would exceed
$24,000 for the year. District membership was 2435 Rotarians at the
beginning of the year and ended with a total of 2407 showing a net
loss of 28 members. The District Treasury remained solvent, growing
to $8,086.80.
1975 - 1976
On July 3, 1975 headlines proclaimed an end to the
Watergate Era when the Watergate Grand Jury was officially
dismissed. Three weeks later newspapers speculated on the reasons
for the disappearance of former Teamster Union boss James R. Hoffa
while America went to the movies to be terrified by Steven
Spielberg’s new production “Jaws.” In September Patty Hearst was
arrested by the F.B.I. after having been on their “wanted list” for
19 months. In October, Muhammad Ali regained the heavyweight boxing
crown in Manila while the Cincinnati Reds won the World Series. The
following month a former Governor of California, Ronald Reagan,
gained national attention by challenging President Gerald Ford for
the Republican Party nomination. In the November elections, Texans
overwhelmingly defeated a plan to overhaul the Texas Constitution.
Later in the spring, the Texas Legislature established the Texas
Utilities Commission and authorized the establishment of Health
Maintenance Organizations. Cowboy fans were saddened on January 18,
1976 when the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the
Super Bowl. A week later Itzhkak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel
told a joint session of Congress that Israel was ready to negotiate
with any Arab state but would not talk to the P.L.O. The Concorde
began making flights to New York and Washington, D.C.
Rotary International continued its around-the-world quest
under new leadership. On July 1, 1975 Ernesto Imbassahy de Mello
became the President of Rotary, a representative of the Niteroi,
Brazil Rotary Club. Rotarians will recall his theme “To Dignify the
Human Being.” The Rotary Foundation continued to grow rapidly during
his year when Rotarians contributed more than $8.3 million and
enabled a record 794 educational awards to be granted.
Once again District 573
distinguished itself by selecting from among its best. The new
Governor of the District was Ralph E. McLaughlin, a widely known
Rotarian from Big Spring, Texas. Ralph was born and reared in Ralls,
Texas. He attended the Ralls schools, Kemper Military Academy, and
earned a BBA degree in finance from Texas Tech in 1949. Prior to his
graduation he married Billye Saunders in Big Spring in 1948.
Together they raised four children.
Governor McLaughlin was associated with the Saunders
Company, Inc. of Big Spring, a wholesale plumbing supply distributor
serving dealers in the West Texas and Eastern New Mexico trade
territories. He climbed the corporate ladder and became President
and Chairman of the Board in 1964. He also had interests in other
businesses and partnerships in the West Texas area and served as
Director of the Security State Bank and Trust Company of Ralls.
Community leaders
recognized Ralph’s talents early. He served as a Director of the Big
Spring Chamber of Commerce, Director of the YMCA, United Fund,
President of the Little League, trustee of Big Spring Independent
School District, Director of the Big Spring Country Club, and served
on the Board of the Big Spring Industrial Foundation.
Governor McLaughlin
began his Rotary career when he joined the Big Spring Rotary Club in
1957. Four years later he was elected President and in later years
served on a number of District Committees. Shortly after his
selection as District Governor Nominee in 1974 Ralph and wife Billye
attended the Zone 5 - 11 Institute in Little Rock, took part in the
District Conference, met with his incoming club presidents at the
District Assembly, spent 8 days in training at the International
Assembly in Boca Raton, Florida, then attended the International
Convention in Montreal, Canada. PDG Rig Edwards (Sweetwater) was
heard to predict, “That boy has a future in Rotary.”
In early July, 1975 Governor McLaughlin and Billye began
their official visits to the clubs in the District. They were well
received by the following club officers:
CLUBS PRESIDENTS
SECRETARIES
Amarillo
Robert E. Hoffman Walter Henderson
Amarillo Northeast Robert Lewis Smith Forrest Ziegenhorn
Andrews Len L. Wilson Eugene Thompson
Big Spring Frank W. Hardesty Riley Foster
Borger Donald C. Ormson Grover L. Guillot
Brownfield James B. Willis Douglass Rohre
Canadian Mack Sansing Vernon Morse
Canyon Dwayne Dennis Kim E. Taylor
Childress Walter L. Eikman Kenneth E. Fink
Dalhart Huie V. Stanley W. Ralph Forester
Denver City Harvie D. Pool James R. Mason
Dimmitt Bill Henderson Glenn Gripp
Dumas Robert G. Shaddox Earl D. Ferris
Floydada Charles E. Tyre Jimmy M. Willson
Greater Lubbock Dean Shuman Charles Cole
Hereford Johnie A. Price, Jr. Roland Saul
Lamesa Dallas W. Woods Robert F. Brown
Levelland George C. Price Arvel N. Bennett
Littlefield Jim Vandenberg Emery P. Blume
Lockney Bill K. Race Arthur Barker, Jr.
Lubbock J. Davis Armistead
Roy L. Ward
Memphis James H.
Davis M. L. VanArsdel
Midland
E. Dave Dorchester Russell O. Smith
Midland West E. V. Scott R. W. Harrington
Muleshoe Bob Stovall Ray Halsell
Odessa Everett O. Berry Morris E. Petty
Odessa East Oran H. Britt Thomas R. Zeigler
O’Donnell Wayne Noland C. Truett Hodnett
Pampa Otis Nace Don H. Nelson
Panhandle Elmer Tuggle Maurice P. Garner
Perryton James W. Jordan Jinks H. Brashears
Plainview Elton Wilson Ed Self
Post James E. Cornish R. Lou Marks
Ralls Adrian Taylor Neal
Dillashaw
Seagraves Allen
Williams Brad K. Call
Seminole Millard McNabb John L. Shepherd
Shamrock Joe B. Hall Al Bennett
Slaton John Landreth Ansil O’Neil
Snyder Bassett D. Keller Frank M. Miller
South & West Amarillo William R. East Lyndon C. Latham
Southwest Lubbock F. C. Wright Bob L. Ford
Spearman Roy Bulls Chet Wise
Sweetwater Roy Blankenship, Jr. Homer K. Taylor
Tahoka Dayton Parker Robert E. Abbe
Tulia John W. Nichols Robert W. Gleason
During the early stages of his visits, Governor
McLaughlin stressed four goals that he hoped to achieve: increasing
membership in the District, disseminating more Rotary information
among members, getting more Rotarians involved in World Fellowship
Activities, and registering 500 Rotarians and guests at his District
Conference. As it turned out, he constantly added new goals
throughout his year.
The
Rotary Club of Lubbock continued their grand Inter-city meeting,
inviting Rotarians from all over the District to be their guests on
October 14, 1975 at the Fair Park Coliseum. President J. Davis
Armistead hosted the occasion and members of the Lubbock club made
possible great fellowship among friends. Senator John Tower was the
speaker for the evening.
Governor McLaughlin convened a Rotary Information Institute
for club officers on October 15 at Wayland Baptist College in
Plainview. Plainview Club President Elton Wilson and other members
of the club hosted the affair. Counselor for the Institute was Ken
Curtis from Colorado Springs, Colorado. Group discussion leaders
included Dub Pearson (Big Spring,) Bill Sewell (Slaton,) and DGN
John Tyler (Midland,) Governor McLaughlin reported that the
Institute was outstanding but that attendance was not up the usual
standards. A total of 50 Rotarians were registered and they
represented 20 of the 45 clubs in the District.
A Lubbock Orthodontist,
Dr. James Reynolds, was selected by the Group Study Exchange
Selection Committee to be the Rotarian Team Leader for the Exchange
scheduled with District 113 in London, England. Jim was selected
from a panel of 12 applicants.
The Post Rotary Club celebrated its 50th Anniversary on
October 21, 1975. Post was sponsored by the Lubbock Rotary Club in
1925 and many current members from Lubbock were on hand. Club
President Jim Cornish hosted the event and PPRI Edd McLaughlin
presented a Paul Harris Fellowship to a very surprised Tom Bouchier,
the only active charter member of the club. PVPRI Rex Webster
delivered the address and was superb.
Governor McLaughlin and Billye were joined by DGN John
Tyler and Dede, PVPRI Rex and Madge Webster, and Earl and Dorothy
Wilbur for the annual Zone 5 - 11 conference held in Tulsa, Oklahoma
October 31 - November 2, 1975. The Zone meetings are only one of
several training sessions that benefit in-coming governors as well
as helping to keep past governors current on the status of Rotary
and its programs.
Governor McLaughlin utilized the talents of many Rotarians in the
District to assist him during his year. PDG Farris Oden (Amarillo)
and PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock) served as Co-Chairmen of the Rotary
Foundation. The Governor’s Special Representatives/Rotary Foundation
team included PDG R. G. Mills (Amarillo,) Gene Shelburne (South &
West Amarillo,) Rex McAnelly (Pampa,) Tom Abraham (Canadian,) Jess
Winn (Muleshoe,) PDG Jimmy Willson (Floydada,) PDG Roy Wells
(Lubbock,) Truett Hodnett (O’Donnell,) PDG Burnett Roberts
(Levelland,) PDG Rigdon Edwards (Sweetwater,) and Bill Clanton
(Odessa East.)
Other
Committee Chairmen included A. B. Watkins (Lubbock) - Club Service;
John Heetland (South & West Amarillo) - Vocational Service; PDG
Louis Rochester (Odessa) - Community Service; James Robison
(Plainview) - International Service; Bill Sewell (Slaton) -
Membership Development; W. S. Pearson (Big Spring) - Public
Relations; DGN John Tyler (Midland) - Youth Service; Roy Long
(Amarillo) - World Community Service; Louis E. McClish (South & West
Amarillo) - Group Study Exchange; PDG Roy Wells (Lubbock) -
Foundation Educational Awards; PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock) -
Treasurer; L. E. Patterson (Los Fresnos) - Historian; PDG Marshall
Formby (Plainview) - Nominations; Frank Grevelle (Sweetwater) -
Extension; PDG R. G. Mills (Amarillo) - Legislation; Bill Sewell
(Slaton) - Significant Achievement Awards; David A. Midkiff (Tahoka)
- Rotary Volunteers Abroad; and Otis Nace (Pampa) - Inter-club
Activities.
Word was
received from two of the students selected by District 573 that were
studying abroad. Ronald A. Rummel, sponsored by the Southwest
Lubbock Club was busy in Cambridge, England while Tom Woodard,
sponsored by the Amarillo Rotary Club was working in Southampton,
England. Both said that their studies were going well and that they
were working on goodwill.
Group Study Exchange Chairman “Mac” McClish (South & West
Amarillo) announced the names of the five members selected to join
Dr. James Reynolds on the GSE exchange with England. Team members
were George Fielding (Lubbock;) Gary Stacy (Levelland;) Kent Smith
(Midland West;) Gary Jahnel (Canadian;) and Eugene Blasdel
(Amarillo.) The group was scheduled to depart for London March 7th.
District nominating
committees were busy during the month of March. PDG Marshall Formby
(Plainview) reported that the Nominations Committee had named Dr.
Albert B. “Duke” Martin to be the DGN for 1977-78. Duke Martin was
President of Amarillo College and a member of the Rotary Club of
Amarillo. PDG R. G. Mills (Amarillo) reported that the Committee on
Legislation had named DGN John Tyler (Midland) to be District 573’s
representative at the 1977 Council on Legislation which met in San
Francisco, California.
Governor McLaughlin opened the District 573 Conference in Amarillo
on April 23, 1976 and it ran until April 25. Amarillo Rotary Club
President Bob Hoffman, Amarillo Northeast Club President Lewis
Smith, and South and West Amarillo Club President William R. “Bob”
East rolled out the red carpet for the out of town visitors. Wayne
Sturdivant (Amarillo), Howard Bailey (Northeast) and John Heetland
(South & West) co-chaired the Conference Committee. They were
assisted by the following committee chairmen: Ken Abbott - Program;
Glenn McMennamy - Transportation; Juanda Godfrey (Secretary); Bill
and Claudette Landess -Reception; PDG Charles Reynolds -
Resolutions; Gene Shelburne - Program Assembly and Printing; Bill
Zelsman - Decorations; John Dawson - Publicity and Promotion; Lyndon
Latham - Registration; Mrs. John (Joyce) Colvert - Ladies
Activities; Tolly Jones - Sergeant-at-Arms; Dr. Jim Carroll -
Necrology; Bill Prather - Budget and Treasurer; PDG R. G. Mills -
Credentials and Election; Allen Shaw - Exhibits; Dr. Jim Cook -
Athletic Events and Awards; Bill Rice - Music; Ken McCarty - Meeting
Places, Housing, and Menu; and E. Chamblin - Entertainment.
The President of Rotary
International sent as his Special Representative PDG William Thomas
Murphy of Paris, Texas, a Rotarian of great distinction who made an
impact at the Conference. PDG Marshall Formby was assigned as his
host during his visit. Other “heavy hitters” on the program included
PDG Ernest Upham from West Columbia, Texas. “Ole Ernie” was the
Chairman of the World Fellowship Activities Committee of R.I. and
complimented Governor McLaughlin’s year long efforts to get
Rotarians involved in the many programs of the World Fellowship. A
dynamic keynote speaker came from the Rotary Club of Southeast
Tulsa, Mr. L. S. “Skip” Kreidler, made an inspiring presentation
entitled “To Dignify the Human Being,” the theme of R.I. President
Ernesto de Mello. The Group Study Exchange Team, recently returned
from London, reported on their very successful trip. Many Rotarians
from all over the District inspired, reported, and urged
participation in the projects and programs of Rotary. It was a grand
occasion attended by a whopping 642 Rotarians and guests. Forty of
the District’s 45 clubs were represented.
The District 573
Assembly for incoming club officers and committee chairmen was held
at the Hilton Inn in Lubbock on June 26, 1976. The Rotary Club of
Lubbock, under the watchful eye of President J. Davis Armistead,
hosted the affair. Of the 45 clubs in the District, 36 were
represented at the meeting. Participants were treated to information
about the programs of Rotary, the District projects and
opportunities, and the nuts and bolts of running a Rotary Club.
Presenters included Govern Ralph McLaughlin (Big Spring,) DGN John
Tyler (Midland,) Harley Oberhelman (Lubbock,) Ken Abbott (Amarillo,)
H. J. Greenfield (Amarillo,) Charles Tyre (Floydada,) Kent Smith
(GSE team member sponsored by Midland West,) Hughie Stanley
(Dalhart,) Murrell G. Latimer (Amarillo,) PDG Jimmy Willson
(Floydada,) John Will Nichols (Tulia,) Len Wilson (Andrews,) Frank
Barrow (Floydada,) and Hugh Barclay (Amarillo.)
In reporting the activities and status of the District at
the end of his year, Governor McLaughlin cited the following clubs
and their projects as outstanding: Andrews - World Community
Service; Canadian - Club History; Dalhart - New Members; Midland -
Free Enterprise System; Midland West - International Exchange;
Odessa - The Rotarian Magazine Subscriptions; Pampa - Film Festival;
Perryton - Cherry Pie Sale; Southwest Lubbock - Art Collection;
Plainview - Arts and Crafts Festival; Spearman - White Elephant
Sale; and Tulia - Club Assemblies.
Club Presidents mentioned for exceptional leadership
included F. C. “Caddo” Wright (Southwest Lubbock) - Vocational and
Club service; John Will Nichols (Tulia) - Interact and Club Service;
Johnie A. Price (Hereford) - Community Service; Dallas Woods
(Lamesa) - Community Service; Dave Dorchester (Midland) Community
Service; and Roy Blankenship (Sweetwater) - Vocational and Club
Service.
Governor
McLaughlin was pleased to report of 49% growth in the number of Paul
Harris Fellows during his year bringing the total to 55. Membership
also grew by 40 with 2447 Rotarians in the District. The District
Treasurer, PVPRI Rex Webster reported that the District treasury had
a balance of $7501.76 in its coffers.
CHAPTER IV
THE BI-CENTENNIAL
AND CARTER
YEARS
1976 - 1977
During this Rotary year followers of the news were
treated to a series of headlines that set the stages for things to
come. On July 2, 1976 the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that capital
punishment was permissible and Texas reinstated the use of the
electric chair for that purpose. Most of the western world cheered
when Israeli commandos freed 103 hostages held at the Entebbe,
Uganda airport. More cheering occurred on July 4th when America
celebrated its 200th birthday. James Carter and Walter Mondale were
the nominees at the National Democrat Convention while Republicans
nominated Gerald Ford (over Ronald Reagan) and Bob Dole. In August
the U.S. sold $10 billion worth of arms to Iran and a month later
Viking II landed on Mars. In November Carter and Mondale won and the
Democrats took charge of both houses of Congress. Tip O’Neill became
the speaker of the House and Jim Wright became the majority leader.
Texas declared itself a strong one-party state. Shortly after taking
office in January President Carter granted unconditional pardons for
draft evaders of the Vietnam war era. In April he outlined his
program for reducing inflation to 4% by the end of 1979 and two
months later he declared the B-1 bomber unnecessary.
Sports fans may recall
that Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert dominated tennis while the
Cincinnati Reds ruled the world of baseball. The Oakland Raiders won
the Super Bowl and A. J. Foyt drove to victory in the Indy 500.
Seattle Slew became the latest Triple Crown winner at Belmont.
Robert A. Manchester II
became the President of Rotary International on July 1, 1976. He
represented his home club of Youngstown, Ohio and selected as his
theme for the year “I Believe in Rotary.” During his year the
Matched Districts program was revived, Rotary continued expansion
outside of the United States reaching 16,917 clubs with 796,806
members, and contributions to the Rotary Foundation climbed to $10
million resulting in 740 educational awards.
John Tyler of Midland
assumed the leadership of District 573 as Governor. He was a
Petroleum Engineer and was associated with Union Oil Company of
California. His wife, Didi, like John, was a star in her own right.
In 1952 she was the Italian National Figure Skating Champion.
Governor Tyler was a leader in his Church, civic affairs, youth
projects, and sports activities. One hobby was officiating west
Texas high school football.
Governor Tyler began his Rotary involvement when he joined
the Santa Paula, California Rotary Club in 1966. After moving to
Midland he joined the Midland Rotary Club in 1967 where he became
intently interested in the opportunities Rotary afforded for service
to youth. He served the Midland club in many capacities and became
involved with the District 573 Committees of Youth Exchange, Group
Study Exchange, and Nominations. John and Didi attended their first
of many Rotary International Conventions in Lausanne, Switzerland in
1973, the year he became president of the Midland Downtown Rotary
Club. He took an active part in the District Assembly and District
Conference in 1976. Additional preparation for his duties as
governor included attendance at the Zone 5 - 11 Conference in
Dallas, the International Assembly in Boca Raton, and the 1976
International Convention in New Orleans.
Early in July, 1976 Governor Tyler and Didi began making
their official visits to the 45 clubs in the District, delivering
information on the current programs of Rotary. The following club
officers were among those who listened:
CLUBS PRESIDENTS SECRETARIES
Amarillo Basil E. Walker H. J. Greenfield
Amarillo North East Floyd W. Lassiter Howard Chamblin
Andrews Marlowe Summitt Bob Henderson
Big Spring Jimmy A. Anderson Riley Foster
Borger David M. Spector G. L. Guillot
Brownfield J. Stanley Blacklock Hugh S. Thomas
Canadian Don W. Rader Vernon B. Morse
Canyon Albert R. Mitchell Kim Taylor
Childress Maurice R. Leach Kenneth E. Fink
Dalhart Olen R. McCabe Bill R. Green
Denver City Dean Browning Jim Mason
Dimmitt Al Gibbs Glenn Gripp
Dumas James H. Haynew Howard Bose
Floydada Parnell Powell James M. Willson
Greater Lubbock Tommy Cantrell Charles Cole
Hereford Rodger Ruland Charles Wagner
Lamesa Charles F. Bratcher Robert F. Brown
Levelland George W. Payne, Jr. Buford A. Duff
Littlefield T. W. Bryson Emery P. Blume
Lockney Pat Frizzell Eddie Greer
Lubbock Owen Hamilton Roy L. Ward
Memphis Robert F. Spicer M. L. VanArsdel
Midland Parker M. Humes Russell O. Smith
Midland West Hugh G. Graham R. W. Harrington
Muleshoe Kenneth R. Henry John C. Kennedy
Odessa Dr. J. D. Cone Everett O. Berry
Odessa East Carl E. Smith Charles A. Forbes
O’Donnell Bill Schooler C. Truett Hodnett
Pampa John R. Reeve Don H. Nelson
Panhandle Gaylon Stamps Maurice P. Garner
Perryton Kenneth L. McKay Jinks H. Brashears
Plainview Norman E. Huggins Jimmy L. Holmes
Post Harvey Gene Moore R. Lou Marks
Ralls Lester Brown Marc. McCormick
Seminole C. D. Wickson, Jr. John L. Shepherd
Shamrock John Hrnciar John Glasscock
Slaton Greeley Sanders Ansil O’Neil
South & West Amarillo Dowel
O. Adams Tom R. Amason
Southwest Lubbock R. Rex Aycock M. Neal Pipkin
Snyder Leslie Butler Frank Miller
Spearman Albert E. Lusby, Jr. Don Wirsdorfer
Sweetwater Leonard Turner Homer K. Taylor
Tahoka Gerald Huffaker Robert E. Abbe
Tulia Don L. Bookout Robert W. Gleason
One of the revitalized programs that Governor Tyler
emphasized was the Matched Districts. He reported in September that
18 of the clubs in the District had begun participating in the
program. Governor Tyler also stressed some of the nuts and bolts of
being a Rotary Club such as courtesy to speakers, attendance, signs
giving the time and place of meetings, support for the Foundation,
acquisition of new members, observance of the special weeks
designated by Rotary International and participation in District
activities such as the Lubbock Inter-city meeting that was scheduled
for October 21st.
On
October 28, 1976 Governor Tyler convened the District Institute in
Plainview. It was hosted by the Plainview Rotary Club with Club
President Norman Huggins and Secretary Jimmy Holmes leading the way.
The weather was not kind or cooperative. An unseasonable snow storm
started the day before the meeting and didn’t quit until the day
after if was over. Thirty-three dedicated Rotarians representing 14
clubs braved the elements to learn Rotary from PDG Billie Holder of
Alamogordo, New Mexico and other informed Rotarians from the
District.
Not to be
daunted by the weather, Governor Tyler continued with his
objectives. At each of his official club visits he explained a new
program he wanted to establish in the District known as R.Y.L.A.,
Rotary Youth Leadership Award, a project that was to become one of
the stellar activities of the District for years to come. Governor
Tyler got nods of agreement that it sounded like a great idea but no
one would volunteer to help get it started until he approached the
South and West Rotary Club of Amarillo. At the end of the meeting,
Tom Amason, a member that had received a severe injury while playing
for the Los Angeles Rams football team and required crutches to get
around, came forward and said he would like to help. A District
Committee was formed with Tom Amason as chairman and work began.
Rotarians volunteering to put the first R.Y.L.A. camp together
included Tom Amason, Bill Countiss, John Heetland, Floyd Hemphill
and Don Patterson (all of South and West Amarillo,) Bill Landess
(Amarillo,) Dough Husband (Amarillo Northeast,) Bob Dutton
(Midland,) Jerry Campbell (Midland West,) and Milt Vaughan
(Southwest Lubbock.) Soon after the committee began work the
announcement was made that the first camp was to be held at Camp
Summer Life near Taos, New Mexico on August 7 - 12, 1977, and was to
be directed toward beginning high school seniors. The immense task
of educating the clubs in the District about RYLA, building support
for the program, and identifying students who would participate in
it was commenced with great enthusiasm across the District.
The tenth Zone 5 - 11 meeting for incoming, current, and
past officers of Rotary International was held in San Antonio
November 12 - 14 and was attended by Governor Tyler and Didi, PDG
Ralph and Billye McLaughlin, PVPRI Rex Webster and Madge, DGN Louis
and Lois Rochester and other PDGs.
Other news reported at mid-year included a gain in the
membership of the District of 39 Rotarians, bringing the total to
2,483, an announcement that the Nominations Committee had named
Louis Rochester of the Odessa Club to be Governor for the year
1978-79, and that District contributions to the Rotary Foundation
had reached $14,122.
Governor Tyler selected a talented and informed group of Rotarians
during 1976 - 1977 to help him accomplish his goals and objectives.
An important group was the Governor’s Special Representatives and
included Wayne Sturdivant (Amarillo,) John Will Nichols (Tulia,)
Gilbert Mize (Perryton,) Tom Abraham (Canadian,) Gene McLaughlin
(Ralls,) “Caddo” Wright (Southwest Lubbock,) Dr. David Midkiff
(Tahoka,) LeRoy Olsak (Lamesa,) Charles Beil (Big Spring,) and Dave
Dorchester (Midland.)
Other key District Committee Chairmen were PVPRI Rex Webster
(Lubbock) - Treasurer, L. E. Patterson (Los Fresnos) - Historian,
PDG Ralph McLaughlin (Big Spring) - Nominations, H.J. Greenfield
(Amarillo) and Bob Barker (Midland) - Rotary Foundation, Dr. Glenn
Barnett (Lubbock) - Foundation Educational Awards, John Seay
(Midland) - Club Service, Ken Larson (Midland) - Vocational Service,
Frank Barrow (Floydada) - Community Service, Len Wilson (Andrews) -
International Service, Huie Stanley (Dalhart) - Membership
Development, Murrell G. Latimer (Amarillo) - Public Relations, PDG
Woody Pyeatt (Sweetwater) - World Community Service, John Collard
(Spearman) - Interclub Activities, A. B. Martin (Amarillo) -
Rotaract, Walter Johnson (Amarillo) - Interact, Charles Tyre
(Floydada) - International Youth Exchange, Dr. James Reynolds
(Lubbock) - Group Study Exchange, Frank Gabriel (Plainview) -
Extension, and PDG R. G. Mills (Amarillo) - Resolutions and Proposed
Legislation.
Club news
around the District included Club President Lester Brown’s report
that the Ralls Rotary Club had a remarkable 100% attendance during
the month of January. (Floydada reported only a 98.17% attendance
for the month.)
Post Club
President Harvey Gene Moore said that his club raised $2500 for
their local hospital by selling a lot of pancakes. Pampa Club
President John R. Reeve hosted a 50th Anniversary gala for their
club on February 22, 1977, complete with many visiting dignitaries.
Don L. Bookout, President of the Tulia club announced the inception
of a Film Festival which was to serve as both a community cultural
project and fund raiser for the club.
Charles F. Bratcher, President of the Lamesa Club
reported a big turn out for their 40th Anniversary celebration on
March 9th. Jean Moody, who received the District Teacher of the
Handicapped Rotary Foundation Award to study for a year in England,
presented the program for the occasion. Hugh G. Graham, President of
the Midland West Club said that his club, working with the Juarez,
Mexico club, had sent 100 schools desks to be used in schools in
northern Mexico. Kenneth McKay, President of the Perryton Club
announced that the first-place pie sold for $160 at their annual
Cherry Pie Sale on March 26 and that the club netted over $2,000
from the event.
Governor
Tyler held two training sessions for incoming club officers in
March. The first was held in Amarillo on March 19 and was attended
by 32 Rotarians. The second was held in Lubbock on March 26 was had
an attendance of 30. The purpose was to get an advanced start on
planning for achieving goals and objectives during the 1977-78 year.
Two of the District’s
Foundation Educational Awardees studying in Europe sent word of
their progress. Harry Wayne Storey was studying in Florence, Italy,
had attended several Rotary Club meetings, and attended the District
187 Conference. Steve Dowden noted that he was enjoying a course
entitled ‘German Language and Literature’ in Graz, Austria.
The first Rotaract Club
in the District was organized on April 4th at Midland College with
21 charter members. Camal Dakil of Midland College was the organizer
and sponsor of the club.
The Group Study Exchange Team from District 113 (England)
arrived in Lubbock on April 2, 1977 for a 5 week tour of the
District. Rotarian Ron Preston was the team leader and the five
members were: Simon Browne (Woodware Manufacture,) Ian Clark
(Financial Reporting Manager,) Dick Harper (Bank Note Production
Controller,) Gray Hetherington (Solicitor,) and Geoff Smith (Health
Service Administrator.) After touring the District and a week end
trip with Governor Tyler and several other District 573 Rotarians to
Juarez, Mexico, they departed from Odessa for England on May 12,
1977.
The District
Conference was held in Midland on April 22 - 24, 1977 and was
attended by 380 Rotarians and guests. Governor Tyler used the theme
“Have Fun and Learn More about Rotary” and the Conference certainly
pursued that theme. In the absence of the President of Rotary
International, the President sent as his Special Representative PDG
and R. I. Director Hugh M. Archer of Dearborn, Michigan. He was
accompanied by his wife Mary Jane and they both made significant
contributions to the Conference. From Hawaii Continental Airlines
flew in four hula dancers, a four piece band, and orchids for all of
the ladies. The conference cost for this enjoyable touch was to
house and feed the entertainers. President Representative Hugh
Archer was given special hula dancing instructions at the luau
banquet. The Host club’s Conference Chairmen were John Cooper
(Midland,) Parker Humes (Midland,) and Jerry Graham (Midland West.)
R. O. Smith served as Conference Secretary, Spencer Blocker was the
Registrar, and Ladies Activities were organized by Mrs. Parker (Pat)
Humes and Mrs. John (Charlotte) Seay.
Seven workshops (each presented twice) were held for
Committee Chairmen and separate workshops were designed for incoming
presidents and secretaries. The visiting Group Study Exchange Team
from District 113 in England was at the Conference, Coach Fay O’Dell
from Perry, Oklahoma made an inspiring address entitled “Be Tough
for God and Country,” a panel of District Rotarians discussed the
Four Way Test, and Special Representative Archer spoke about the
importance of dignity in everyone’s vocation.
Awards were presented to
the Lubbock Rotary Club for the largest net gain in membership (18),
the Spearman Rotary Club for largest percentage of gain in
membership (55%), The Midland West Rotary Club for its joint project
with the Juarez, Mexico club (distribution of school desks,) and the
South and West Amarillo Rotary Club for best bulletin, edited by
John Dawson.
The Greater
Big Spring Rotary Club held their first meeting on February 11,
1977, their Club charter was dated April 26, 1977 and their Charter
Night gala was held at the Big Spring Country Club on May 3rd. The
District’s newest club was led by Charter President Scott
McLaughlin, Vice President Ron Cowling, Secretary Corky Harris,
Treasurer Bill Smythe, and Directors O. T. Brewster, Chuck Condray,
Rick Hamby, and Richard Lowstetter. Dr. John R. Fish was the
Sergeant-at-Arms.
Dr.
Glen Barnett, Chairman of the District Foundation Educational Awards
Committee, reported the following students were selected to receive
scholarships for the 1978-1979 academic year: Paul S. Lockhart,
Graduate Fellowship, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Amarillo;
Rebecca McKown, Undergraduate Fellowship, sponsored by the Lubbock
Rotary Club; Holly Hughes, Graduate Fellowship, sponsored by the
Lames Rotary Club; and Karen Hord, Journalism Award, sponsored by
the Lubbock Rotary Club.
The District Assembly was held in Levelland on June 18, 1977
and was hosted by the Levelland Rotary Club, George Payne,
President. Attendance was recorded for 67 Rotarians representing 24
clubs. Topics discussed included RYLA, the Four Avenues of Service,
the Rotary Foundation, service to youth, and items of interest to
in-coming officers. Discussion leaders included Governor Tyler
(Midland,) DGN Duke Martin (Amarillo,) Tom Amason (South & West
Amarillo,) Basil Walker (Amarillo,) PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon,) DGN
Louis Rochester (Odessa,) PDG Ralph McLaughlin (Big Spring,) Charles
Beil (Big Spring,) Jim Reynolds (Lubbock,) PVPRI Rex Webster
(Lubbock,) PDG R.G. Mills (Amarillo,) Charles Bratcher (Lamesa,)
Camal Dakil (Midland,) Charles Tyre (Floydada,) Jerry Graham
(Midland West,) and John Dawson (South & West Amarillo.)
In his closing report to
Rotary International Governor Tyler cited several club presidents
for exceptional leadership in the following fields: Jim Haynes
(Dumas) - Club Service; Charles Bratcher (Lamesa) - Community
Service; Parker Humes (Midland) - Club and Community Service; Jerry
Graham (Midland West) - International Service; Kenneth Henry
(Muleshoe) - Club and International Service; Jack Reeve (Pampa) -
Community Service; Kenneth McKay (Perryton) Club and Community
Service; Norman Huggins (Plainview) - Community Service; and Rex
Aycock (Southwest Lubbock) - Club Service.
Governor Tyler reported
a net gain of one Rotary Club (Greater Big Spring) and 96 more
Rotarians in the District since the beginning of the year, bringing
the total to 2,536 members. Another bright spot was the increase of
contributions to the Foundation, which totaled $41,000 for the year.
Paul Harris Fellows grew to 81 and Sustaining Members totaled 65, a
big increase in both areas. District Treasurer PVPRI Rex Webster
(Lubbock) reported a balance of $6,235.16 in the treasury at the end
of the year.
1977 - 1978
At the beginning of this Rotary year headlines were not
centered on things as critical for the country as they would become
later. Readers will recall that President Carter worked out an
agreement with Panama to transfer control of the canal by the year
2000. The space shuttle Enterprise completed its first solo test
flight and Vietnam returned the remains of 21 M.I.A.s. Texas leaders
in the oil and gas industry were quite upset with the policies of
the Carter administration about its energy program, and bugs were
found in the U.S. embassy in Moscow. President Carter, in a speech
to the Los Angeles Bar Association said that the American people
were “over-lawyered and under-represented,” a speech about which
future DG Wayne Sturdivant of Amarillo said, “I remember it well.”
Californians approved Proposition 13, a voter initiative that would
cut property taxes by 57%.
Lighter news included mention of Americans captivation with
Steven Spielberg’s movie Star Wars, the movie Rocky winning an
Academy Award for the best picture, Leon Spinks whipping Muhammad
Ali and winning the heavy weight championship, and the Washington
Bullets winning the NBA championship.
Serious news contained reports that the Dallas
Cowboys signed a running back named Tony Dorsett to its roster and
in January, 1978 beat the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl.
W. Jack Davis of
Hamilton, Bermuda became the President of Rotary International on
July 1, 1977 and selected as his theme for the year “Serve to Unite
Mankind.” Rotarians in District 573 took pride when President Davis
selected PVPRI Rex and Madge Webster (Lubbock) as his aides during
both his years as incoming president and president. In Tokyo, Japan
President Davis presided over the largest International Convention
ever held with an attendance of 39,834, a record not yet broken as
of this writing. During his year Rotary grew to 17,364 clubs with
813,704 members. Contributions to the Rotary Foundation continued to
grow, reaching $11.9 million and enabling Rotary to increase the
number of educational awards to 820 recipients.
Dr. Albert B. “Duke”
Martin became the District Governor on July 1, 1977 and, along with
his wife, Pauline, began his official visits to the 46 Rotary clubs
early in the month of July. Governor Martin was a graduate of
Southwest Texas State College and The University of Texas. He was
associated with Florida State University, the University of
Mississippi, and the Texas State Department of Education before
becoming the President of Amarillo College in 1960. He was an active
member of the civic affairs of his community as well as his Rotary
club.
DGN Martin began
preparation by joining the Rotary Club of Amarillo in the early
1960s. He and wife Pauline attended the Zone Institute in San
Antonio on November 12-14, 1977 with Governor Tyler and Didi, PVPRI
Rex Webster and Madge and several other PDGs. He took an active part
in the District Conference held in Midland in April, the District
Assembly held in Levelland in June, attended the International
Assembly in Boca Raton with Pauline in late May, and went to the
International Convention in San Francisco June 5 - 10.
Governor Martin and
Pauline were thoroughly prepared for their assignment and began
their official visits to the 46 clubs in the District in early July,
1977. They worked with the following club presidents and
secretaries:
CLUBS PRESIDENTS SECRETARIES
Amarillo J. Hal Brown H. J. Greenfield
Amarillo Northeast Douglas E. Husband William C. Shelton
Andrews Albert Sybesma Bob Henderson
Big Spring E. Ray Tatum Riley Foster
Borger Edward W. Turner Milton E. Kasch
Brownfield Auvy L. McBride Don E. Hendley
Canadian James McCarley Vernon B. Morse
Canyon Jess L. Rhodes Kim E. Taylor
Childress Robert G. Proctor, Jr. Kenneth E. Fink
Dalhart W. Ralph Forester
Duane R. Brewer
Denver City
Jack W. Harmon L. Calvin Stewart
Dimmitt William P. Dannevik Bill E. Behrends
Dumas Easton Wall Gene Ledbetter
Floydada Aldine E. Williams James W. Wilson
Greater Big Spring Scott McLaughlin Carlton Harris
Greater Lubbock Robert Johnson Terry Blankenship
Hereford Jim Conkwright Joe E. Kerr
Lamesa O. H. Nance Robert F. Brown
Levelland Paul C. Dunn Jay Don Rogers
Littlefield Randy Birkelbach Emery P. Blume
Lockney Rainey Davis Roy Howell
Lubbock Ray J. Diekemper, Jr. Joseph C. Minkley
Memphis J. Thomas Clayton M. L. VanArsdel
Midland Ted Kerr R. O. Smith
Midland West Marshall R. Box R. W. Harrington
Muleshoe John R. Blackwell John C. Kennedy
Odessa Clay Styles Everett O. Berry
Odessa East R. Galen Fowler Charles Forbes, Jr.
O’Donnell Bennie W. Edwards
C. Truett Hodnett
Pampa
Raymond W. Morrison Don H. Nelson
Panhandle Mike Roberts Maurice P. Garner
Perryton Wallace H. Kirby Jinks H. Brashears
Plainview Mike Howell Jack R. Kunz
Post Walter Didway Michael E. Baird
Ralls Jimmie R. Collins Mike Shipman
Seagraves Brad Call Bob Renfro
Seminole Larry K. Holder John L. Shepherd
Shamrock J. R. Barber John Glasscock
Slaton Bill Sewell J. David Williams
Snyder Bill Gilliland Frank M. Miller
South & West Amarillo Lyndon Latham Richard L. Gower
Southwest Lubbock Dale Thomas Johnson James E. Bertram
Spearman John Hutchison Don Wirsdorfer
Spearman Wendell L. Kent P. Howell Buster
Tahoka William Horace Rogers John W. Wells
Tulia Morris Webb Phillips C. Raught
One of the earliest items of interest that Governor
Martin reported was the success of the RYLA camp that was held
during the summer of 1977 at Camp Summer Life near Taos, N.M. He
lauded the efforts of Tom Amason (South and West Amarillo) and the
members of his committee.
Wayne Storey, recipient of a District 573 Graduate
Fellowship, finished his studies in Italy the last of July and
reported that he was available for speaking engagements in the
District. Wayne was sponsored by the Lubbock club. Manlio P. Piana
of Lima Peru was attending Texas Tech on a Rotary Graduate
Fellowship and seeking speaking engagements, as was Steve Dowden
(Lubbock) who had recently returned from his studies in Australia.
Karen Lee Hiner, sponsored by the Lubbock Rotary Club was studying
in Lima, Peru, John O’Sheehan, sponsored by Dumas, was in Munich,
Germany, and Mildred G. S. Moody, sponsored by Lamesa, was in
Watford, England.
At the
urging of Rotary International Governor Martin appointed a committee
called The Council of Governors. It consisted of PDG Farris Oden
(Amarillo,) PDG Marshall Formby (Plainview,) PDG Woody Pyeatt
(Sweetwater,) and PDG Ralph McLaughlin (Big Spring.) Purpose: to
keep PDGs informed of Rotary programs and keep them active in
service to the District.
Childress Club President Bob Proctor reported that his club
was still making improvements to their Rotary Bowl project. Spearman
Club President John Hutchison said that his club held a Rotary
Auction and raised almost $6,000 for community projects. Not to be
outdone, Borger Club President Ed Turner and his club raised about
$8,000 with a person to person campaign and intended to use the
funds for the support of youth activities in the city.
Governor Martin
conducted a District Institute for club officers and committee
chairmen at the Villa Inn in Amarillo on August 27, 1977. The Rotary
Club of Lubbock held their annual Inter-city meeting n Lubbock on
October 20th and the hospitality was great. Littlefield won honors
for having the most members of their club present.
Other meetings going on
during the fall of 1977 included the Zone 5 - II Conference in Hays,
Kansas which was held on October 21 - 23. DGN Louis and Lois
Rochester (Odessa), Governor Martin and Pauline, and several other
PDG and their wives attended the training program for future,
present, and past officers of Rotary International.
Because of the level of
support of the Rotary Foundation by members in the District, Rotary
International notified the Governor that it was being awarded three
extra Educational Awards during the year, bringing the total to
four. The District also was entitled to nominate a candidate for a
teacher of the handicapped and one for a journalism award.
The District Nominating
Committee, Wayne Sturdivant (Amarillo) chairman, announced that
their unanimous choice for the District Governor Nominee for 1979-80
was Dr. J. Davis Armistead, a member of the Lubbock Rotary Club.
Governor Martin availed
himself of quite a large number of knowledgeable Rotarians in the
District to assist him in carrying out the program of Rotary during
his year. His Special Representatives to local clubs included
William J. Foran (Amarillo,) Floyd W. Lassiter (Amarillo Northeast,)
Roy C. Sparkman (Pampa,) Tom Abraham (Canadian,) Gene McLaughlin
(Ralls,) Caddo Wright (Southwest Lubbock,) Gerald Huffaker (Tahoka,)
LeRoy Olsak (Lamesa,) Bill Clanton (Odessa East,) and John Cooper
(Midland.)
District
Committee chairmen included John Seay (Midland) - Club Service; Rex
Daniel (Amarillo) - Vocational Service; Everett Berry (Odessa) -
Community Service; PDG Floyd Hemphill (Amarillo South & West) -
Youth Service; PPRI Edd McLaughlin - International Service; PDG
Paige Carruth (Canyon) - The Rotary Foundation; PVPRI Rex Webster
(Lubbock) - Rotary Information; Rex Aycock (Lubbock) - Rotary
Extension; Hall Brown (Amarillo) - Membership Development; Dr. Glenn
Barnett (Lubbock) - Educational Awards; Dr. James Reynolds (Lubbock)
- Group Study Exchange; Eugene Blasdel (Amarillo) - Foundation
Alumni; Rex Aycock (Lubbock) - Foundation Promotion; PDG Woody
Pyeatt (Sweetwater) - World Service and Fellowship; Ben Moore
(Amarillo) - Youth Exchange; Walter Johnson (Amarillo) - Interact;
Camal Dakil (Midland) - Rotaract; Jerry Merchant (Amarillo) -
Interclub Activities; and PDG R.G. Mills (Amarillo) - Resolutions
and Legislation.
Mike
Howell, President of the Plainview Rotary Club was proud of his
club’s fund raising project. He said that the Running Water Draw
Arts and Crafts Festival had an attendance of 5,500 plus 1500
students, had 116 artists participate, and netted almost $7,000 for
the club’s community service projects.
Floydada Club Secretary PDG Jimmy Willson reported
that the club’s attendance record slipped to 97.78% during the month
of January, 1978. Shame, shame, shame. They did redeem themselves
somewhat in February, however, by reporting an attendance record of
98.33% for the month.
Six Rotary Clubs in the District celebrated their 50th Anniversaries
during the year. Borger, Big Spring, Midland, Levelland, Ralls, and
Pecos all had gala events commemorating their founding.
Governor Martin called
the District Conference to order in Lubbock on April 21 and it ran
through April 23, 1978. There was a big registration for the
conference that totaled 511 Rotarians and guests representing 39 of
the 46 clubs in the District. The three presidents of the Lubbock
clubs served as co-hosts for the Conference: Ray Diekemper, Jr.,
Robert Johnson (Greater Lubbock,) and Dale Thomas Johnson (Southwest
Lubbock.) Four Rotarians served as Conference chairmen: Tommy
Cantrell (Greater Lubbock,) Owen Hamilton (Lubbock,) Byron “Buck”
White (Lubbock,) and Caddo Wright (Southwest Lubbock.) The
Conference secretary was Doyle Williams, Conference Registrar was
Bob Dunbar, and Ladies Activities were coordinated by Mrs. Joe Bob
(Dottie) Johnston.
The
President of Rotary International sent Joe Jordan, PDG from Burbank,
California as his Special Representative who was accompanied by his
wife, Adele. Joe and Adele were well known to PDGs in the District
who had attended Zone I meetings because of Joe’s leadership in Zone
I affairs. Tom Amason (South & West Amarillo) had a prominent place
at the Conference and garnered support for the District RYLA
project. Rotary Graduate Fellowship Awardee Manlio Piana from Lima,
Peru described his experiences as a graduate student at Texas Tech,
and Hereford, Perryton, Pampa, and Plainview representatives
discussed the specifics of their club projects. Sessions were held
for Club Presidents (Hal Brown of Amarillo presiding,) Club
Secretaries (R.O. Smith of Midland presiding,) and Club Directors
(PDG Louis Rochester of Odessa presiding.) Bulletin Editors met with
the Conference Bulletin Committee. Awards for Best Bulletin went to
“The Keyway” of Southwest Lubbock and “Wheels” of The Rotary Club of
Amarillo.
The District
Assembly was hosted by the Greater Lubbock Club at Lubbock Christian
College on June 10, 1978. Attendance was recorded at 112 Rotarians
with 37 out of 46 clubs represented. Governor Martin reported that
Fritz Jacobsmeier (Greater Lubbock incoming President) and Patrick
Murfee (incoming Secretary) did a great job of hosting. Club
officers and committeemen who attended the Assembly were treated to
Rotary information by DGN Louis Rochester (Odessa,) DGN J. Davis
Armistead (Lubbock,) PDG Jimmy Willson (Floydada,) S. W. Ross
(Floydada,) PDG John Tyler (Midland,) PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock,)
and Governor Martin.
In
his final report to Rotary International Governor Martin was very
complimentary of the vast array of projects that are carried out by
the Rotary Clubs in the District. He was particularly impressed with
the Rotary Information program of Floydada which he felt was
reflected in the attendance figures for the club. Club Presidents
who were cited for outstanding leadership included Tom Johnson
(Southwest Lubbock) for support of the Foundation and their Diabetic
Children’s camp; Ray Morrison (Pampa) for their World Community
Service project and Foundation support; Ray Diekemper (Lubbock) for
their Vocational Service project dealing with high ethical
standards; and Ed Turner (Borger) for their Community Development
projects.
Governor
Martin also reported that a few District Committees functioned very
well including the Rotary Foundation Committee, the District
Conference Committee, the Camp RYLA Committee, the Group Study
Exchange Committee, and the Nominations Committee.
The governor was quite
proud of the level of contributions given by clubs members in
support of the Rotary Foundation and mentioned specifically the
efforts of the Amarillo, Lubbock, Greater Lubbock, Odessa East and
Southwest Lubbock clubs. The total of the contributions from the
District was $50,461.68 during the year. PVPRI Rex Webster, District
Treasurer reported a balance of $6,674.31 in the District coffers at
the end of the year.
1978 - 1979
When this
Rotary year began in July, President Carter was proudly wearing a
feather in his cap for having convinced Egyptian President Sadat and
Israeli Premier Begin that they should agree to negotiate a peace
treaty. Two weeks later the 18 member Arab League warned Egypt not
to make peace with Israel. A surge of excitement swept through
Mexico in November when they announced the discovery of a major new
oil basin with possible reserves of 100 million barrels of oil. The
same month over 900 followers of the Reverend Jim Jones’ religious
cult committed suicide at Jones’ summoning near Jonestown, Guyana.
In December President Carter announced that the U.S. and China
agreed to establish diplomatic relations and that the U.S. was
terminating relations with Nationalist China. In January, 1979 the
Surgeon General issued a report that cigarette smoking caused a long
list of serious illnesses and President Carter outlined his plans
for controlling inflation and reaching an arms agreement with the
Soviets. U.S. farmers drove their tractors to Washington, D.C. to
protest price supports, Three Mile Island, Pa. had a nuclear reactor
that sprung a leak, OPEC raised oil prices up to $23.50 a barrel,
and Europe, the U.S., and Japan agreed to limit oil imports.
While this was going on
Clem Renouf of Nambour, Queensland, Australia was inaugurated as
President of Rotary International on July 1, 1978. President Renouf
selected as this theme for the year “Reach Out,” urging Rotarians
and Rotary Club to do just that. He started the new program called
Health, Hunger, and Humanity, more familiarly known as the 3-H
program. Contributions to the Rotary Foundation continued to grow,
reaching a total of $15.2 million during his year. Educational
awards were granted to 897 recipients during his term.
At the same time that
President Clem Renouf became the President of Rotary International,
Louis Rochester of the Odessa Rotary Club became the District
Governor of District 573. He attended Austin College in Sherman,
married Lois, and raised two children. He was involved in many
business ventures including insurance, land development, mini
warehouses, food stores, savings and loan, banking, and ranching. He
served his college, his community, and his church with distinction.
Governor Rochester was
well prepared to assume the role of District Governor when he took
office. He joined the Odessa Rotary Club in 1948, had 30 years of
perfect attendance, was a Paul Harris Fellow, and served his club
and the District in many capacities. Immediately prior to assuming
office Governor Rochester and Lois attended the Zone 5-11 meeting,
was prominent on the program at the District Conference in Lubbock,
took an active part in the District Assembly in Lubbock, spent 8
days of training at the Rotary International Assembly in Boca Raton,
Florida and attended the Rotary International Convention in Tokyo,
Japan, along with 39,833 other Rotarians and guests.
Governor Rochester
started his official visits to the 46 clubs in the District in early
July, 1978 and worked during the year with the following club
presidents and secretaries:
CLUBS PRESIDENTS SECRETARIES
Amarillo William G. Landess Allen Early
Amarillo Northeast Baxter E. Loe John A. Dovcette
Andrews Louie Cure Jim Slocumb
Big Spring Charles E. Beil Riley Foster
Borger Don Baker, Jr. Craig G. Dohse
Brownfield Hugh S. Thomas Don E. Hendley
Canadian Allen B. Talley Vernon B. Morse
Canyon Dr. E. B. Posey Kim E. Taylor
Childress Lewis H. White Kenneth E. Fink
Dalhart Bill R. Green Duane R. Brewer
Denver City Gary L. Short L. Calvin Stewart
Dimmitt Ron Montgomery Bill Behrends
Dumas Michael A. Meredith Gene Ledbetter
Floydada James M. Willson, Jr. S. W. Ross
Greater Big Spring Ron D. Cowling Richard Lowsetter
Greater Lubbock Fritz Jakobsmeier Patrick Murfee
Hereford Mack Tubb Joe E. Kerr
Lamesa Dr. Harry M. Stover Verneal Roberts
Levelland Andrews J. Kupper Larry Tapp
Littlefield Roy H. Wilson Kim Hanlin
Lockney John R. Terrell, Jr. Kenneth Tate
Lubbock M. Warlick Carr Joseph C. Minkley
Memphis John Kehr Thomas Clayton
Midland J. Rudolph Wright Russel O. Smith
Midland West Hugh M. McBeath John K. Schmidt
Muleshoe Dee Treadwell John C. Kennedy
Odessa Richard G. Sivalls J. Kelly Godwin
Odessa East Thomas R. Zeigler Terry J. Johnston
O’Donnell Harold C. Hohn C. Truett Hodnett
Pampa Gary O. Stevens Don H. Nelson
Panhandle Gary L. Beddingfield Maurice P. Garner
Perryton David C. Hale Jinks H. Brashears
Plainview Ed Self Bill Rice
Post Tom L. Power Charles R. Adams
Ralls William E. Lee Billy R. Wright
Seagraves Robert S. Renfro David Ratcliff
Seminole Newell Bowen John L. Shepherd
Shamrock Boyd Williams Nath. Champagne
Slaton Dillon Patterson J. David Williams
South & West Amarillo Tom Amason John Dawson
Southwest Lubbock Bob L. Ford James R. Ratliff
Snyder Darwin Melton Frank M. Miller
Spearman Ed L. Garner Don E. Wirsdorfer
Sweetwater Ray Rhodes P. Howell Buster
Tahoka Monte Dodson John W. Wells
Tulia Olan Alexander Phil C. Raught
Governor Rochester reported that a very successful RYLA
camp was held at Camp Summer Life in New Mexico during the previous
summer. Sixty young men, about to begin their senior year in high
school, participated with enthusiasm. Tom Amason, District RYLA
Chairman, was available for club programs.
Governor Rochester
reported in September that the Big Spring Rotary Club had submitted
the name of PDG Ralph McLaughlin to become an Incoming Director of
Rotary International for Zone 5. He was to be voted on at the 1979
International Convention in Rome, Italy. Zone 5 encompassed most of
Texas, Oklahoma, the western part of Kansas and the western part of
Nebraska and spanned 11 Rotary Districts. Rotarians in District 573
were afflicted with anticipation waiting for the vote.
Karen Jan Shrimplin
(Lubbock sponsor) was awarded the Undergraduate Scholarship for the
1978-79 Rotary year and planned to study in Bogata, Colombia.
1979-80 Awardees where Scott Denman Roller (Amarillo sponsor,) Jesse
Mendoza (Canyon sponsor,) Ramona Leann Williams (Canyon sponsor,)
and Cassandra Sweet (Pampa sponsor.) Governor Rochester also
reported that because of the District’s generous support of the
Foundation that District 573 would be able to award five educational
awards during the year plus nominating someone for the teachers of
the handicapped and journalism awards. Educational Awardees abroad
included Holly Elaine Hughes (Lamesa sponsor,) studying in Salzburg,
Austria; Paul Scott Lockhart (Amarillo sponsor) studying in
Innsbruck, Austria; and Brenda Kay Hord (Lubbock sponsor) studying
in Aberdeen, Scotland.
As of August 31, 1978, District 573 Rotarians had contributed
$286,434.16 to the Rotary Foundation, a sum that showed the
dedication of member’s support for the causes of the Foundation.
In October, 1978, three
Rotarians and their wives traveled to El Paso to visit with R.I.
President Clem Renouf while he was visiting El Paso and Juarez.
Governor Rochester presented the first $1500 contribution for
District 573’s support of the new 3-H program from the Odessa Rotary
Club to President Renouf.
During this Rotary year three clubs in the District
celebrated their 50th Anniversary. Festivities were held in Canyon,
Floydada, and Lockney observing the occasions, complete with
visiting dignitaries, spouses, and reviews of the club’s histories.
Records show that the Canyon Club met on the evening of February
13th, 1979. Club President E. B. Posey presided, Dr. Allen Early
brought greetings from the sponsoring club, The Rotary Club of
Amarillo, and a historical revue of the club’s history was presented
by C. Boone McClure.
Kay
Hord, Rotary Educational Awardee, studying in Aberdeen, Scotland,
reported that she was having a rewarding experience and truly
appreciated the opportunities afforded her by the District.
Governor Rochester’s
District Organization Chart showed that he tapped the resources of
Rotarian leadership in the District. His Special Representatives
included Wayne P. Sturdivant (Amarillo,) Douglas E. Husband
(Amarillo Northeast,) Ray Morrison (Pampa,) J. T. Clayton (Memphis,)
Rainey Davis (Lockney,) Owen Hamilton (Lubbock,) William H. Rogers
(Tahoka,) Albert Sybesma (Andrews,) Scott McLaughlin (Greater Big
Spring,) and John Seay (Midland,)
District Committee Chairmen included Everett Berry
(Odessa) - Secretary; PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock) - Treasurer; L. E.
“Pat” Patterson (Los Fresnos) - Historian; PDG Burnett Roberts
(Levelland) - Nominations; H. J. Greenfield (Amarillo) - Club
Service; Clay Styles (Odessa) - Vocational Service; Galen Fowler
(Odessa) - Community Service; PDG Floyd Hemphill (South & West
Amarillo) - Youth Service; Charles Bratcher (Lamesa) - International
Service; PDG Ralph McLaughlin (Big Spring) - The Rotary Foundation;
Fred Neslage (Pampa) - Rotary Information; Ted Kerr (Midland) -
Rotary Extension; Ray J. Diekemper (Lubbock) - Membership
Development; Dr. Glenn Barnett (Lubbock) - Educational Awards; Dr.
James Reynolds (Lubbock) - Group Study Exchange; Stansell Clements
(Lamesa) - Foundation Alumni; Rex Aycock (Lubbock) - Foundation
Promotion; Nojem Libson (Odessa) - World Community Service; Jerry
Campbell (Midland) - Youth Exchange; Hayes Stripling, Jr. (Big
Spring) - Interact; Camal Dakil (Midland) - Rotaract; Stanley
Simmons (Hereford) - Interclub Activities; PDG R. G. Mills
(Amarillo) - Resolutions and Legislation; PVPRI Rex Webster
(Lubbock) - Public Relations; Tom Amason (South & West Amarillo) -
R.Y.L.A. ; and Jim Granberry (Lubbock) - 75th Anniversary
Celebration.
A first for
the District was a visit from six Rotaract clubs members from
Auckland, New Zealand. They arrived in Amarillo on June 21, 1979 and
made visits to Lubbock, Lamesa, Midland, and Odessa. District
Rotaract Chairman Camal Dakil (Midland) and PVPRI Rex Webster
(Lubbock) coordinated their visits. The group departed the District
on June 26.
PDG Burnett
Roberts (Levelland), Chairman of the District Nominating Committee,
announced that Wayne P. Sturdivant of The Rotary Club of Amarillo
was named to be the District Governor for the year 1980-81. PDG
Marshall Formby announced that he and six other Rotarians held a
breakfast meeting at the Peking Chinese Hotel on Thursday, January
11, 1979. This may have been the first meeting of Rotarians in the
People’s Republic of China. It was a wonder they got home.
Governor Rochester
called the District Educational Institute to order on March 10, 1979
in Littlefield. The meeting was hosted by Littlefield Club President
Roy Wilson and members of his club. Thirty-eight of 46 clubs were
represented at the Institute. Presentations were made by Governor
Rochester, DGN Wayne Sturdivant (Amarillo,) DGN Davis Armistead
(Lubbock,) PDG John Tyler (Midland,) and Tom Amason (South & West
Amarillo.) Club Presidents met with Owen Hamilton (Lubbock,) Club
Secretaries were provided information by Everett Berry (Odessa,) and
Governor Rochester outlined his agenda with his Special
Representatives.
Karen
Jan Shrimplin (sponsored by Lubbock,) Undergraduate Scholarship
Awardee studying in San Jose, Costa Rica wrote that she was learning
Spanish, singing in Spanish and English, attending church services,
visiting missions in Limon, teaching Bible classes, attending
seminars on teaching English as a foreign language, and taking a
Costa Rican folklore dance class. She said she was appreciative of
the opportunities made possible by her selection.
The 22nd Annual District
573 Conference was held in Odessa April 26 - 28, 1979. There were
397 Rotarians and guests in attendance and 32 of the 46 clubs in the
District were represented. The two Odessa clubs joined together to
host the affair. Odessa Club President Richard Sivalls and Odessa
East Club President Thomas Zeigler were assisted by the following
committees: Jay Poynor and Don Williams - Conference Co-Chairmen;
Howard Purvis - Treasurer; Everett Berry - Secretary; Bill Hicks -
Budget; Joe Thompson - Housing; Bill Casstevens - Sports; Gail Smith
- Printing; Clay Styles - Registration; Bill Graf - Promotion; Ken
Yeilding - Awards; Ronald Bennett - Entertainment and Music; Carl
Smith - Transportation; Gary Hayner and Ted Campbell - Publicity;
John L. Pratt and Mike Atkins - Resolutions; Mike Holmes -
Credentials; Dean Kelm - Necrology; and Porter Earnest -
Sergeant-at-Arms.
Rotary
International President Clem Renouf sent as his Special
Representative PDG David L., Munro of Ipswich, Queensland,
Australia. His wife, Marjorie, accompanied him. They were both well
received by the Conference. Other notables making presentations at
the Conference included Tom Amason (South & West Amarillo)
discussing the District Project Camp RYLA, Dr. Charles E. Luttrick,
Pastor, First Methodist Church in Midland addressing the Conference
Luncheon, PDG Rigdon Edwards (Sweetwater) chairing the Club Service
workshop, PDG Farris Oden (Amarillo) leading the Vocational Service
group, PDG John Tyler (Midland) holding the Community Services
session, and PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon) meeting with the
International Service delegation. Delbert Downing was the speaker at
the Governor’s Banquet and thoroughly entertained the audience.
Special Representative Munro spoke at the Incoming Officers
breakfast, PDG Ralph McLaughlin described the 3-H program and
presented a banner to the Odessa Club for its financial support of
the project, Rex Aycock (Lubbock) stated the need for continued
support of the Rotary Foundation, Dr. Glenn Barnett (Lubbock)
introduced 9 Scholarship Awardees and Alternates to the Conference
and described the program, and Ken Yeilding (Odessa) presented
awards to winners of various competitions. Lamesa won the golfing
trophy, Amarillo South & West won the Best Bulletin award, and
Perryton was named Outstanding Club for adding 15 new members during
the year.
The District
Assembly was held in Levelland on June 23, 1979. Ninety-one
Rotarians attended the Assembly and represented 35 of the 46 clubs
in the District. Governor Rochester opened the meeting, DGN Davis
Armistead (Lubbock) discussed his goals and objectives for the
coming year, Dr. Glenn Barnett (Lubbock) outlined the selection
process followed by the Educational Awards Committee, Rex Aycock
(Southwest Lubbock) described the Rotary Foundation and its
programs, Tom Amason presented information about RYLA, and John Seay
(Midland) spoke of plans for the forthcoming 75th Rotary
Anniversary. Group sessions were chaired by Roy Ward (Lubbock,) DGN
Davis Armistead (Lubbock,) Everett Berry (Odessa,) and PDG Duke
Martin (Amarillo.) Others assisting in the program included Louis
Rochester (Odessa,) J. D. Potts (Lubbock,) Bob Ford (Southwest
Lubbock,) Gary Stevens (Pampa,) David Hale (Perryton,) John Collard
(Spearman,) and DGN Wayne Sturdivant (Amarillo.)
In his end of the year
report to Rotary International Governor Rochester commended several
clubs for their outstanding projects including the Midland West Club
for their fund raising art auction, the Southwest Lubbock Club for
their park for the handicapped, the Perryton Club for their Cherry
Pie auction, the Odessa Club for their Rehabilitation Center help
and their “Rotary Room” at the county library, and the Hereford and
Amarillo clubs for innovative funding project for the Rotary
Foundation.
Outstanding
club presidents named by Governor Rochester included Charles Beil
(Big Spring,) John R. Seay (Midland,) Owen Hamilton (Lubbock,)
Warlick Carr (Lubbock,) Everett Berry (past president of the Odessa
club,) and Dick Sivalls (Odessa.)
More than $30,000 was contributed to the Rotary
Foundation during Governor Rochester’s year and 17 clubs signed on
to donate either $15 per member or $1500 to support the Health,
Hunger and Humanity Program. The RYLA project was praised, as was
Southwest Lubbock’s Diabetic Camp. District membership grew by 19
Rotarians to 2,529. PVPRI Rex Webster reported that the District
treasury had a balance of $7,550 in it.
1979 - 1980
This Rotary year was a year of crisis after crisis. Energy
supply in the country became critically short. In July President
Carter ordered air conditioning thermostats to be set no lower than
78 degrees. General Saddam Hussein became the President of Iraq. In
October, as inflation rose, the Federal Reserve System raised the
discount rate to 12%. On November 4th Muslim students seized the
U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran and held 100 hostages while demanding
that the U.S. return the deposed Shah of Iran to them. In late
December Russian troops moved into Afghanistan and President Carter
halted grain shipment to Russia. The Soviets sided with Iran
concerning the hostage crisis. Sabers rattled.
In March, 1980 President
Carter announced his anti-inflation program to slow rising prices,
combat the recession and ease unemployment. Mount St. Helens began
eruptions in March and exploded in the middle of May. An attempt was
made to rescue the hostages in Iran on April 25 but ended in
failure. The Love Canal, a chemical dump site at Niagara Falls,
N.Y., was declared a pollution emergency on May 21.
All of the news was not
bad, for on July 1, 1979 James L. Bomar, Jr. of Shelbyville,
Tennessee became the President of Rotary International. His most
appropriate theme for the year was “Let Service Light the Way.” In
keeping with the U.N.’s International Year of the Child, R.I.
adopted the slogan, “Rotary Cares...for the Child. The 75th
Anniversary of Rotary was celebrated during his year and Foundation
contributions hit a record $16.1 million, enabling educational
awards to be made to 963 recipients.
Joining President Bomar in a leadership role was Dr.
J. Davis Armistead of Lubbock who became Governor of District 573 on
July 1, 1979. Governor Armistead was an optometrist, opening his
practice in Lubbock in 1949. He pursued advanced graduate study in
his field and participated in professional seminars and surveys in
the United States, Canada, England, and the Soviet Union. He was an
active member in many professional associations.
Governor Armistead
raised a family and was active in church, civic, and business
affairs. He married Cora and they were there parents of two
children. He held many leadership positions in the Lubbock First
United Methodist Church, including the chairmanship of the
Administrative Board. He was active in Scouting, the Knife and Fork
Club, the Lubbock Cerebral Palsy Center, served two terms on the
Board of Regents at the University of Houston, and was a member of
the board of directors of the West Texas Savings Association.
Governor Armistead’s
service through Rotary began in 1949 when he joined the Lubbock
Rotary Club. His first 30 years in Rotary attested to his
willingness to be an active member of the club. When nominated to be
District Governor both he and wife Cora studied and actively
participated in all of the opportunities that offered preparation
for the job. He attended the District Educational Institute in
Littlefield March 10, 1979, then Cora joined him for the District
Conference in Odessa in April, spent a week and a half in Boca
Raton, Florida at the International Institute in June, and they
participated in the International Convention in Rome, Italy in June.
DGN Armistead was prominent on the program at the District Assembly
in Levelland on June 23rd.
In early July, 1979 Governor Armistead and Cora began their
official club visits to the 46 clubs in District 573. They had
opportunities to meet and work with the following club officers:
CLUBS PRESIDENTS SECRETARIES
Amarillo Samuel Stennis James M. Alfonte
Amarillo Northeast William C. Shelton Kent R. Peeples
Andrews Drexell M. Nix Carroll D. Kysar
Big Spring J. C. “Cliff” Chapman Riley Foster
Borger Richard C. Lundy Donald Ormanson
Brownfield Wilson V. Hart Tom D. Hardy
Canadian James A. Ullom Vernon B. Morse
Canyon Dr. John R. Brooks Kim E. Taylor
Childress Hubert P. Powers Kenneth E. Fink
Dalhart Duane R. Brewer B. J. Hunter
Denver City James M. Atchison Bill E. Behrends
Dumas Eldridge E. Ledbetter Marvin C. Harris
Floydada Frank Barrow J. M. Willson, Jr.
Greater Big Spring William Smythe Jim Shelton
Greater Lubbock Bob Thompson Michael Price
Hereford Mack Tubb Chuck Dickerson
Lamesa Robert F. Brown Verneal Roberts
Levelland Jay Don Rogers Guy P. Miles
Littlefield James T. West Gary K. Hanlin
Lockney T. Owen Thornton Roy E. Holly
Lubbock Joe L. Murfee, III Joe C. Minkley
Memphis Clinton E. Voyles James T. Clayton
Midland John R. Seay R. O. Smith
Midland West Raymond H. Nicholas John K. Schmidt
Muleshoe John C. Kennedy Robert Blackwood
Odessa Michael Wempe Bill Hicks
Odessa East Joe Suggs Miles A. Echkert
O’Donnell David M. Smith C. Truett Hodnett
Pampa Don H. Nelson D. J. Gribbon, Jr.
Panhandle Donald W. Gandy
Gary Redingfield
Perryton
Horace B. Byerley, Jr. Jinks H. Brashears
Plainview Jimmy L. Holmes Erwin Davenport
Post Henry M. Wheatley Charles R. Adams
Ralls Jerry McCuan Billy R. Wright
Seagraves Smitty Lawrence David Ratcliff
Seminole Joe K. McGill John L. Shepherd
Shamrock Joe B. Hall Nath. Champagne
Slaton John Baker Ansil O’Neil
Snyder Jimmie J. Key Frank M. Miller
Spearman John R. Collard, Jr. Don Wirsdorfer Jr.
South & West Amarillo Richard Gower Kerry Ormson
Southwest Lubbock David A. Miller Douglas C. Moore
Sweetwater Lavelle Layfield P. Howell Buster
Tahoka Carl E. Reynolds John W. Wells
Tulia J. W. Ervin Phil C. Raught
Tom Amason reported that Camp RYLA was held at Camp
Summer Life in Northern New Mexico during the week of July 29 -
August 3. Bill Landess (Amarillo) was one of twelve speakers who
addressed the group. There were 19 Rotarian Counselors and 6 spouses
present. Tom said that there were others too numerous to mention
that were involved in the highly successful District Project.
The Lubbock Inter-city
meeting was held on the evening of August 21. Again, the Lubbock
Club was able to attract the most distinguished of Rotary speakers,
President of Rotary International Jim Bomar who was accompanied by
his wife Edith. A record attendance from clubs in the District was
reported. Rotarians throughout the area recognized their debt of
gratitude to the Rotary Club of Lubbock.
More great news was
announced by Cliff Chapman, President of the Big Spring Rotary Club
in early September. Mrs. Reba Baker presented a check for $50,000 to
the club to be given to the Rotary Foundation. The money came from
the estate of Fred and Guion Keating. Mr. Keating was a past
president of the Big Spring Club.
Rotarians throughout the world were saddened to learn on
September 27th of the death of PPRI J. Edd McLaughlin of the Rotary
Club of Ralls. Edd’s service to Rotary spanned 51 years and District
573 received most of it. Among many Rotary notables at Edd’s funeral
were President James and Edith Bomar of Shelbyville, Tennessee. The
Trustees of the Rotary Foundation awarded Edd posthumously the
Distinguished Service Award.
A lot of club projects were reported taking place in the fall
of 1979 throughout the District. These included Littlefield’s Ping
Pong Tournament, Hereford’s Antique Car Show, Tahoka’s
Rotary-Teacher Banquet, Southwest Lubbock’s Art Exchange, Amarillo
Northeast’s Buddy System, Odessa’s “Salad Instead of Meat” for 3-H,
Seminole’s Box Collection, and Amarillo’s 5th Annual Tennis
Tournament and contribution of $2,367 to the YWCA.
The Big Spring Rotary
Clubs gathered together on November 13th to celebrate both the 75th
Rotary Anniversary and Rotary Foundation Week. Fifty-one Paul Harris
Fellowships were awarded, which may have been the largest number of
Paul Harris award ever presented in the history of Rotary
International. Skip Kreidler of Tulsa, Oklahoma spoke on the
accomplishments of the scholarship programs undertaken by the Rotary
Foundation.
The first
Paul Harris Fellowship Dinner for District 573 was held at the Villa
Inn in Lubbock on November 13, 1979. Caddo Wright and his wife
Mollie arranged the occasion for the 56 Rotarians and guests who
attended the function. The keynote address was delivered by PDG
Jimmy Willson of Floydada, the first Paul Harris Fellow in our
District.
Rotary
Foundation news included reports that Wai Fung Cheong, Kuantan,
Pahang, Malaysia, District 330 would be studying at Texas Tech
during the academic year of 1980- 81. Also in our District would be
Pamella Joy Nicholson from Kingaory, Australia, District 960,
studying at Texas Tech. The Lubbock Rotary Club was also notified
that that Ms. Dayna Elaine Escue was awarded a scholarship for 1979
- 80 to study in Geneva, Switzerland.
Governor Armistead published the most extensive
District Organization Handbook ever distributed among the clubs.
Among the information contained it in included a listing of the
officers and committee chairmen helping him to achieve the goals of
the District. Those Rotarians included Roy L. Ward (Lubbock) -
District Secretary; PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock) - Treasurer; L. E.
“Pat” Patterson (Brownsville) - Historian; PDG Louis Rochester
(Odessa) - Nominations; PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock) - Public
Relations; PDG R. G. Mills (Amarillo) - Resolutions and Legislation;
Tom Amason (South & West Amarillo) - R.Y.L.A.; Caddo Wright
(Southwest Lubbock) - Interclub Activities; PDG John Tyler (Midland)
- Rotary Extension; Doug Husband (Amarillo) - Club Service; Ray J.
Diekemper (Lubbock) - Vocational Service; William H. Tinney (
Lubbock) - Community Service; Fritz Jakobsmeier (Lubbock) -
International Service; Camal Dakil (Midland) - Interact and
Rotaract; Hervey J. Gilliland (Lubbock) - 75th Anniversary; PDG
Burnett Roberts (Levelland) - Rotary Information; Dewitt Thompson
(Lubbock) Youth Service Exchange; John R. Seay (Midland) - Visiting
Rotarians; PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon) - World Community Service; PDG
Ralph McLaughlin (Big Spring) - Rotary Foundation; Dr. Glenn Barnett
(Lubbock) - Educational Awards; Dr. James Reynolds (Lubbock) - Group
Study Exchange; Rex Aycock (Lubbock) - Foundation Promotion; PDG Roy
Wells (Lubbock) - Foundation Alumni; and PDG Woody Pyeatt
(Sweetwater) - 75th Anniversary Fund 3-H Program.
The Governor’s Special Representative included DGN Wayne
P. Sturdivant (Amarillo) - Chairman and coordinator; John C. Banasik
(Amarillo Northeast;) Charles Bratcher (Lamesa;) Warren Dayton
(Littlefield;) W. A. Fulford (Brownfield;) John Forbis (Childress;)
Owen Hamilton (Lubbock;) Mike Meredith (Dumas;) Ed Self (Plainview;)
Roger Ruland (Hereford;) William Sewell (Slaton;) Allen B. Talley
(Canadian;) and Jack Walter (Midland.)
February 23, 1980 marked the 75th Anniversary of the
founding of Rotary. Many Clubs in the District marked the occasion
with special events: clubs in the Amarillo area gathered at the
Civic Center on Feb. 22nd for a party; on February 15th the
Littlefield club celebrated by attending as a group the performance
at the Country Squire Dinner Theater; Ralls had a big Sweetheart
night with Bill Brown doing the entertaining; Midland, Midland West,
Odessa, Odessa East, and Andrews met at the Hanger (Airport) for
their celebration on Feb. 20; Lubbock, Southwest Lubbock, Greater
Lubbock, and Slaton combined their meetings on Feb. 27th and had
PRID Don Strickland as their Speaker; Sweetwater held their
celebration on Feb. 23; Post, Childress, Perryton, and Borger
celebrated the event in connection with club projects they were
undertaking.
The
District Youth Exchange Committee chaired by DeWitt Thompson
(Lubbock) got underway, agreeing to send three high school students
overseas in the Fall of 1980 and hosting three. Clubs involved were
Plainview, Greater Lubbock, and O’Donnell.
PDG Louis Rochester (Odessa) announced that his
Nominations Committee had named John R. Seay of the Midland Rotary
Club to be the District Governor in 1981-82. PDG Rochester said that
it was a tough call because of the outstanding qualifications of the
candidates being considered.
Governor Armistead presided over the Executive Training
Seminar held on Saturday, March 15, 1980 at Slaton High School.
District Secretary Roy Ward (Lubbock) served as Registrar and Slaton
Club President John Baker welcomed the club officers and committee
chairmen who attended the meeting. Discussion leaders included
Governor Armistead, Bill Sewell (Slaton,) and DGN Wayne Sturdivant
(Amarillo.)
Both clubs
in Big Spring joined forces to host the District Conference held on
April 25 - 27, 1980. Forty-one of the 46 clubs in the District were
represented. A total of 305 Rotarians and guests were registered for
the Conference. Big Spring Club President Cliff Chapman and Greater
Big Spring Club President William Smythe were assisted in the
organization of the Conference by the following local Rotarians:
Charles Beil - Chairman; Carl Bradley - Treasurer; Mike McCracken -
Promotion; Terry Newman and Mike Bruner - Registration; PDG Ralph
McLaughlin - Resolutions; Don Crockett - Transportation; Charles
Parham - Entertainment; Andy Swartz - Women’s Activities; Ted
Hatfield - Decorations; Lowell Jones - Sports and Awards; and Tom
Watson - Printing and Program.
Mike J. Kutsuris, PDG from Oakland, California was the
Special Representative of the President of Rotary International. He
was accompanied by his wife Evelyn and they both participated
extensively in the Conference program.
Rex Aycock (Southwest Lubbock) reported that there
were 212 Paul Harris Fellows and 170 Sustaining Members in the
District. PDG Woody Pyeatt (Sweetwater) told the group that well
over half of the clubs in the District were generously supporting
the 3-H program. Billy Tinney (Lubbock) presented representatives
from six Rotary Clubs who described their Community Service
projects: Cliff Chapman (Big Spring,) Owen Thornton (Lockney,)
Drexell Nix (Andrews,) Jimmy Holmes (Plainview,) Truett Hodnett
(O’Donnell,) and Gary Moore (Dimmitt.) Dr. Glenn Barnett (Lubbock)
introduced three of the Scholarship Awardees going abroad and PDG
Roy Wells distributed a list of 18 Foundation Alumni living in the
District who were available for programs. Gary Moore (Dimmitt,)
Program Chairman for RYLA reported on plans for the camp and David
Miller (Southwest Lubbock) informed the group about the Diabetic
Camp they were sponsoring. DeWitt Thompson gave details of the
growing Youth Exchange Program in the District. John Banasik
(Amarillo Northeast) presented a panel of experts who discussed
Making Rotary Work: PDG Marshall Formby (Plainview,) PDG Louis
Rochester (Odessa,) PDG R. G. Mills (Amarillo,) PDG Ralph McLaughlin
(Big Spring,) and PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock.) Bob “Tumbleweed
Smith” Lewis entertained at the Governor’s Banquet.
Awards when to Borger,
Amarillo South & West, and Lamesa for Best Bulletins, Floydada for
Best Attendance, and Lockney and O’Donnell for Percentage Gain in
Membership. Buck White (Lubbock) presented awards to winners of the
Rotary Olympics events.
Plainview hosted the annual District Assembly of in-coming club
officers and committee chairmen at Wayland Baptist College on June
21, 1980. Jimmy Holmes, Plainview Club President, welcomed those who
registered. Twenty-six of the District’s 46 clubs were represented
at the Assembly. Governor Armistead gave a report on the status of
the District, DGN Wayne Sturdivant (Amarillo) discussed his program
for 1981-82, and Roy Ward (Lubbock) spoke at the luncheon. Club
Administration and Information was presented by the following
Rotarians: Dr. Glenn Barnett (Lubbock) - Selection of Foundation
Awardees; Jim Ratliff (Southwest Lubbock) - Rotary Foundation and
3-H Program; Tom Amason (South & West Amarillo) - RYLA; David Miller
(Southwest Lubbock) - Diabetic Camp; DeWitt Thompson (Lubbock) -
Youth Exchange; George Fielding (Lubbock) - Group Study Exchange;
Bill Tinney (Lubbock) - Club Projects; and Jay Eagan (Lubbock) -
Membership Development. DGN John Seay discussed the work of the
Governor’s Special Representatives.
Appropriately, the Rotary International Convention
was held in Chicago, Illinois June 1 - 5 on the 75th Anniversary
Year of the founding of Rotary. Governor Armistead reported that
there was a large attendance from the District among the 18,309
Rotarians and guests who attended the meeting.
Governor Armistead’s
final report to Rotary International cited several clubs for
outstanding projects and included the following: Andrews - Gun Show
and Mexico aid; Amarillo - Boys Ranch Support; Childress - Rotary
Park; Tulia and Lockney - cooperative effort on a Park; Plainview -
Arts and Craft Show; O’Donnell - Senior Citizens Center and Museum;
Floydada - Rotary Information and Attendance; Littlefield -
Membership Growth; Lubbock - Cerebral Palsy Center; and Southwest
Lubbock - Diabetic Camp and Art Rental.
Club Presidents cited for outstanding leadership included
Richard Gower (Southwest Amarillo) - Club Service; Owen Thornton
(Lockney) - Membership and Community Service; and Bob Thompson
(Greater Lubbock) - Camp RYLA and Membership.
Several projects that
were designed to serve the District were cited for excellence: Youth
Exchange, Camp R.Y.L.A., Lubbock’s Inter-city Meeting; Southwest
Lubbock’s Diabetic Camp, The Paul Harris Dinner, Group Study
Exchange, Foundation Educational Awards, and the Rotary Foundation
Committee.
Governor
Armistead reported that membership in the District had a slight gain
of 28 members, boosting the club rosters to a total of 2557 members.
District Treasurer PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock) reported a balance of
$11,443.90, a nice sum due to an increase in District dues.
Foundation contributions exceeded $90,000 for the year.
CHAPTER V
CRACKS APPEAR IN THE IRON CURTAIN
1980 - 1981
There was not a shortage of sensational headlines during this
Rotary year. In July, 1980 the U.S. boycotted the Summer Olympic
Games that were held in Moscow. President Carter reinstated the
military draft as tensions between East and West grew. Tension
between Democrats and Republicans heightened as well for this was an
election year. At the GOP convention in Detroit Ronald Reagan and
George Bush were named to face President Carter and Walter Mondale
in the November elections.
The fall of the year saw Iran and Iraq engage in open warfare
in a boundary dispute. It was difficult to know whom to root for.
Both countries stopped shipping oil which sent shock waves through
the West and OPEC. Reagan and Bush were elected and the GOP won the
Senate, but the House of Representatives remained under Democrat
control. Former Beatle John Lennon, 40, was shot and killed in New
York City. Borrowers were shocked to learn on December 19th that
most U.S. banks had raised their prime lending rate to 21.5%. The
Shining, Stephen King’s gothic horror tale made its movie debut.
On January 20, 1981 President Reagan was sworn into
office. The same day Iran released the 52 hostages that had been
held captive for 444 days. In February President Reagan called for
massive budget cuts and a reduction of 10% in the income tax in an
attempt to deal with the recession, unemployment, and inflation.
Postage rates for first class mail rose from fifteen cents to
eighteen cents in March. John Hinckley, Jr. shot President Reagan,
James S. Brady, and two security personnel outside the Hilton Hotel
in Washington, D.C. on March 30th. In April the Space Shuttle
Columbia completed a successful 36-orbit mission and President
Reagan lifted the grain embargo imposed on Russia by President
Carter. On the 12th of June major league baseball players went on a
strike over free-agent compensation.
Rotary continued its programs of developing
acquaintance, high ethical standards, community service, and
international peace and on July 1, 1980 installed Rolf J. Klarich of
Helsinki-Helsingfors, Finland as President to carry them out. His
theme urged fellow Rotarians to “Take Time to Serve.” A special
emphasis was placed on the needs of the disabled during his year.
The spread of Rotary continued as membership climbed to 895,740 in
19,340 clubs. Contributions to the Rotary Foundation grew to $16.6
million and 1,087 educational awards were made that year.
Wayne P. Sturdivant of
The Rotary Club of Amarillo was pinned as Governor of District 573
on July 1, 1980. Governor Sturdivant graduated from the University
of Texas Law School in 1954 and began his practice in Amarillo. He
became a senior partner in the law firm of Gibson, Ochsner and
Adkins. He was active in the associations of his profession, was a
veteran of the U.S. Army and later served as Commander of Amarillo
Commandery No. 48 in Amarillo. His leadership skills extended to
many civic activities and his church. Governor Sturdivant married
Ann and they raised five children.
When he became District Governor Mr. Sturdivant was not a
novice in Rotary. He joined the Rotary Club of Amarillo in 1963 and
took an active role in the organization. He was President of the
Club in 1974-75 and became a Paul Harris Fellow the same year. DGN
Sturdivant and wife Ann attended the Zone 5 - 11 meeting held in
Oklahoma City in January, 1980. Prior to that he had attended
several District Conferences, District Executive Training Seminars,
and District Assemblies in which he was prominent on the programs.
He served two terms as Governor’s Special Representative in 1976-77
and 1978-79. DGN Sturdivant and wife Ann attended the Rotary
International Assembly in Boca Raton, Florida beginning May 23, 1980
for one week, had two days to get from there to San Antonio to see a
son graduate from medical school and get married the following day,
then get to the International Convention in Chicago on June 1st. At
a more leisure pace he attended the District Assembly in Plainview
on June 21 where he met many of the in-coming Presidents that he
would be working with during his year as Governor.
In early July, 1980
Governor Sturdivant and Ann began their official visits to the clubs
of the District. Club Assemblies were held with the following
officers presiding:
CLUBS
PRESIDENTS SECRETARIES
Amarillo Jon Oden James M. Alfonte
Amarillo East Albert J. Doucette David G. Powell
Amarillo West John Dawson Don Patterson
Andrews Neal J. Wade, Jr. Bert DeBord
Big Spring Dr. Robert Patterson Riley Foster
Greater Big Spring Terry Wegman Chuck Condray
Borger Frank Saucier Bill J. Farris
Brownfield Don Hendley Truett Flache
Canadian Terry Pittman Charles Kessie
Canyon Dr. Myron Dees Kim Taylor
Childress George R. Wall Kenneth E. Fink
Dalhart Billy J. Hunter Warren Teston
Denver City Bill Gravitt L. Calvin Stewart
Dimmitt Ronnie Parker Danny Rice
Dumas Samuel P. Aldrich II Marvin C. Harris
Floydada Fred Thayer J. M. Willson
Hereford John Hayes Joe Kerr
Lamesa Elwood Freeman Verneal Roberts
Levelland Larry Tapp Pat McCutchin
Littlefield Jinks Patterson Kim Hanlin
Lockney John M. Tye III Jack M. ngton
Lubbock Dr. John Selby Roy L. Ward
Greater Lubbock James W. Bowman Patrick Murfee
Southwest Lubbock Monte Hasie Deaton Rigsby
Memphis Ben Parks James T. Clayton
Midland Theodore D. Pearce Russell O. Smith
Midland West John Schmidt Bill Kelley
Muleshoe Dave Marr Clinton Kennedy
Odessa J. Kelly Godwin Bill Hicks
Odessa East Charles A. Forbes, Jr. Ed Chaney
O’Donnell John Deering C. Truett Hodnett
Pampa Jerry E. Carlson Paul Payne
Panhandle Leslie L. McNeill Ed Hinshaw
Perryton Dr. Billy Nowlin Jinks H. Brashears
Plainview Jack R. Kunz Terry Northu
Post Dee C. Justice Charles R. Adams
Ralls Bill Jennings Robt. Spoonemore
Seagraves Marcus McCormick Jesse M. Lancet
Seminole Terry Moore John L. Shepherd
Shamrock J. K. Porter Jerry Berten
Slaton Harvey Morton Ansil O’Neil
Snyder Marlin Terrell Frank M. Miller
Spearman Eschol Blankenship Don Wirsdorfer
Sweetwater Jerry D. Riggs P. Howell Buster
Tahoka Carl Reynolds John W. Wells
Tulia Howard Pollard Phil Raught
DeWitt Thompson, Chairman of the District Youth Exchange
Committee reported that three students were abroad during the year:
Judy Roberson (Plainview) went to District 186 in Germany for the
school year. Allison Bennett (Plainview) went to District 460 in
Brazil for the academic year. Melissa Carruth (Canyon) was the guest
of Rotarians in District 191 in Austria and District 203 in Italy
during the summer of 1980.
DeWitt also announced that the District was receiving 17
students from abroad. Eleven students from Austria arrived in the
District on July 28 for a 10 day visit and were hosted by different
clubs. Eraldo Rivero, a pre-med student from District 203 in Italy
spent a month visiting different clubs in the District. Jay Arvind
Kagalwala from District 306 in India spent the academic year with
Lubbock Rotarians and Cecelia Dans from District 382 in the
Philippines spent the school year with Greater Lubbock families.
Masako Kuwataka, a student from Japan was hosted by PDG Paige
Carruth in Canyon. Ralf Contaga, a student from Heidelberg, Germany
was studying in Brownfield, and Levelland Rotarians hosted Kai Ling
Huang, a student from Taipei, Taiwan.
The Rotary Club of Lubbock hosted its annual
Inter-city meeting on September 30, 1980. Dr. Jack Selby, President
of the Lubbock Club presided over the meeting which was very well
attended and held in the Student Union Building on the Texas Tech
campus. William P. Clements, Governor of the State of Texas, was the
speaker for the evening.
REWARD! Governor Sturdivant offered a $100 gift to the first
club reporting 100% attendance during July - December.
Charles Woodburn
(Amarillo,) District Chairman of Club Service, reported that four
Rotary clubs in the District published annual yearbooks: Floydada,
Levelland, Southwest Lubbock, and The Rotary Club of Amarillo. Each
contained pictures of members and information about them, a brief
history of the club, details of club activities, and a description
of club organization.
Miss Wai Fung Cheong, an educational awardee from West Malaysia,
attended Texas Tech during the year. She was working on a doctorate
in biomedical engineering and announced that she was available as a
program for area Rotary Clubs.
Governor Sturdivant’s District Organization encompassed the
talents of Rotarians from every part of the District. He called on
the following Rotarians to assist him in achieving his objectives:
Dick Brooks (Amarillo) - Secretary; W. L. Prather (Amarillo) -
Treasurer; L. E. “Pat” Patterson (Brownsville) - Historian; PDG
Davis Armistead (Lubbock) - Nominations; Tom Amason (Amarillo West)
- RYLA; Mike Jolly (Midland) - Public Relations; Jack Walters
(Midland) - Interclub Activities; PDG R.G. Mills (Amarillo) -
Resolutions and Legislation; Dr. John Colvert (Amarillo,) Don
Williams (Odessa,) and Charles Beil (Big Spring) - Extension;
Charles R. Woodburn (Amarillo) - Club Service; R. T. Abrahamson
(Amarillo) - Membership Development; T. H. Haynie (Amarillo) Rotary
Information; Hill A. Smith, Jr. (Amarillo) and Bob Haynes (Amarillo)
- Club Bulletins; Andrew Swartz (Big Spring) - Vocational Service;
Richard Gower (Amarillo West) - Community Service; DeWitt Thompson
(Lubbock) - Youth Exchange; Ray Richardson (Amarillo) - Interact;
Wick Culp (Amarillo West) - Rotaract; Fritz Jakobsmeier (Lubbock) -
International Service; Harley Oberhelman - Visiting Rotarians; PDG
Paige Carruth (Canyon) - World Service and Fellowship; Everett Berry
(Odessa) - Rotary Foundation; Dr. Glenn Barnett (Lubbock) -
Educational Awards; Roy Wells (Lubbock) - Foundation Alumni; George
Fielding (Lubbock) Group Study Exchange; and James R. Ratliff
(Lubbock) - Foundation Promotion.
Governor Sturdivant selected the following Rotarians to
be his Special Representatives: DGN John Seay (Midland;); Charles
Beil (Big Spring;) John R. Collard, Jr. (Spearman;) Joe McGill
(Seminole) Ed Self (Plainview;) Bill Sewell (Slaton;) William L.
Spencer (Amarillo;) Bill Dannevik (Dimmitt;) J. W. Ervin (Tulia;)
Thomas D. Johnson (Lubbock;) Andy Kupper (Levelland;) and Lewis
White (Childress.)
PDG
Davis Armistead (Lubbock,) Chairman of the District Nominating
Committee reported in December that John R. Collard, Jr. of Spearman
was named as their selection for District Governor for the year 1982
- 1983.
Governor
Sturdivant was notified in January, 1981 that because of substantial
contributions to the Rotary Foundation the District would be able to
award five Foundation Scholarships during the year 1981-1982.
The Annual District 573 Conference began April 2, 1981 in
Amarillo at the Hilton Inn. Attendance records were set when 682
Rotarians and guests representing 38 of 46 clubs participated in the
meeting. William G. “Bill” Landess was Conference Chairman and was
assisted by Dr. Jim Cook (Amarillo West) and David Willis (Amarillo
East.) The host club Presidents also assisting Bill Landess with
planning: Jon Oden (Amarillo,) John Dawson (Amarillo West,) and John
Doucette (Amarillo East.) Other Rotarians who filled positions of
responsibility in Conference planning included Bill Prather
-Treasurer, Juanda Godfrey - Secretary; Hugh Barclay -
Sergeant-at-arms; Jim Peterson and Lee Wilcox - Registration and
Housing; Mid Askew - Mail Coordination; Dr. Olen and Edna Wilson -
Fellowship; Wick Culp and Bill Spencer - Sports and Awards; Mrs. Don
(Dorothy) Patteson - Ladies Activities; John Dawson - Promotion;
Dick Brooks and John Heetland - Printing and Program Assembly;
Richard Gower - Gifts and Prizes; Edward and Elizabeth Scott -
Reception; Vess Barnes - Monte Carlo and Cinema Horse Races; R. O.
“Bob” Mills - Bingo; Don Markham - Auction; Bill Rice - Song Leader;
Ed Chamblin - Transportation; Dr. Bob East - Necrology; PDG R. G.
Mills - Resolutions; Basil Walker - Conference Program; John and
Sidney Boyce - PDG’s Dinner; Rex and Marilyn Daniel - Officer’s
Breakfasts; Dean Lollar - Flag Ceremony; and Rev. Bruce Green -
Special Lettering.
Governor Sturdivant was pleased that one of the premier men in
Rotary was assigned to be the R.I. President’s Special
Representative. He was PVPRI Keith O. Burnham of the Newport-Irvine,
California club and was accompanied by his wife, Barbara. Both made
invaluable contributions to the Conference.
On April 3rd Governor Sturdivant and DGN John Seay held a
workshop for incoming club presidents and secretaries while club
committee chairmen attended a planning session hosted by many of the
chairs of various District Committees.
During the Conference presentations were made by the
following Rotarians: Tom Amason (Amarillo West) - R.Y.L.A.; DGN John
Seay (Midland) - Group Study Exchange; DeWitt Thompson (Lubbock)
Youth Exchange; PDG R. G. Mills (Amarillo) - Resolutions; Everett
Berry (Odessa,) Dr. Glenn Barnett (Lubbock,) PDG Roy Wells
(Lubbock,) and James Ratliff (Southwest Lubbock) - Educational
Awards; Dr. John Colvert (Amarillo) - Rotary Extension; Mike Jolly
(Midland) - Public Relations; Jack Walters (Midland) - Interclub
Activities; Charles Woodburn (Amarillo) - Club Service; R. T.
Abrahamson (Amarillo) - Membership Development; T. H. Haynie
(Amarillo) - Rotary Information; Hill Smith (Amarillo) and Bob
Haynes (Amarillo) - Club Bulletin; Andrew Swartz (Big Spring) -
Vocational Service; Richard Gower (Amarillo West) - Community
Service; Wick Culp (Amarillo) - Rotaract; Fritz Jakobsmeier (Greater
Lubbock) - International Service; and PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon) -
World Service and Fellowship. Other notables making presentations
during the Conference included “Mr. Mark Twain” of Hannibal,
Missouri.
One evening
was devoted to feasting, fellowship, and legal fun playing Cinema
Horse Racing, Bingo, and many games of chance. A number of awards
were given to winners of several categories of competitions. The
Best Bulletin award went to The Tumbleweed of the Littlefield Club.
Governor Sturdivant held
two District Assemblies in an effort to reach more in-coming
officers and committee chairmen. The first Assembly was held in
Lamesa on June 13th and was hosted by Club President Elwood Freeman.
The second was held a week later in Amarillo on June 20th and was
hosted by In-coming Club President Allen Early (Amarillo.) The
agendas and presenters were the same in both Assemblies and included
most of the Chairmen of the District Committees discussing their
areas of responsibility. Combined attendance at the Assemblies
totaled 101 Rotarians representing 38 of the 46 clubs in the
District.
Governor
Sturdivant closed out his year with tributes to a number of
deserving clubs and Rotarians. He cited the Southwest Lubbock club
for their Diabetic Camp and park for the handicapped, the Amarillo
West club for their park for the handicapped, and the O’Donnell club
for their Sr. Citizens Center and Museum. Club Presidents mentioned
as providing good leadership included Monte Hasie (Southwest
Lubbock) - community projects; Jon Oden (Amarillo) - RYLA and club
activities; John Dawson (Amarillo West) - community and club
projects; Frank Saucier (Borger) - overall outstanding leadership;
Ben Parks (Memphis) - membership growth; and Ted Pearce (Midland) -
Rotary Youth Exchange program.
District Committees that were lauded by the Governor included
RYLA, Group Study Exchange, Educational Awards, District Conference,
and Rotary Foundation.
He commended the Southwest Lubbock club’s fund raiser barbecue and
West Texas Opry that was held in Lubbock on June 20, 1981. PVPRI Rex
Webster was congratulated upon his appointment as a Trustee of the
Rotary Foundation, probably the most prestigious assignment that can
be bestowed on a Rotarian. Governor Sturdivant’s year ended on June
30 with a good balance sheet showing $16,080.37 in the District
Operating Fund and $20,721.01 in the RYLA Fund. He was pleased to
report a gain in membership in the District. An additional 17
members boosted the clubs rosters to 2,544.
1981 - 1982
News headlines during this Rotary year were quite varied
and covered the world. Events of note in July included Sandra Day
O’Connor being named by President Reagan for consideration as
Supreme Court Justice. Two weeks later Charles, the Prince of Wales,
and Lady Diana Spencer wed in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. The
following month President Reagan fired 13,000 air traffic
controllers who went on strike, baseball players ended their 7 week
old strike, and Voyager II swept past Saturn and sent pictures of
the planet’s rings and moons back to earth. In September the Soviets
became very uneasy when the Polish Trade Union ‘Solidarity,’ led by
Lech Walesa, attacked the Polish Communist Party and called for free
elections. America went to the movies to see Steven Spielberg’s
latest, Raiders of the Lost Ark.
In October President Reagan tightened the screws on
Russia by announcing that he planned to strengthen the military’s
missile and bomber fleet. Russia retaliated by agreeing to open arms
reduction talks in Geneva. During the winter Muammar Qaddafi (Libya)
send an assassination squad to kill President Reagan, the U.S. and
Russia jockeyed for position in Poland and the Near East, and
President Reagan called for many Federal social programs to be
turned over to state and local governments. It was the time of
airline bankruptcies, first Freddie Laker and his low-cost
transatlantic airline, then Braniff International, a real shock. In
April Great Britain sent its naval assault force to the Falkland
Islands. Serious fighting broke out on May 1 and continued for six
weeks until Argentina surrendered. Israel went after the P.L.O. in
Lebanon in June resulting in air and land battles with Syrian
forces. America went back to the movies to see Steven Spielberg’s
newest release E.T.
On
July 1, 1981 a long time friend of District 573 became President of
Rotary International. He was Dr. Stanley E. McCaffrey of the Rotary
Club of Stockton, California. His theme for the year was “World
Understanding and Peace through Rotary.” He held eight Goodwill
Conferences, one of which was attended by Rotarians from District
573, and oversaw the publication of the Rotary Basic Library.
Contributions to the Rotary Foundation continued to grow with $17.6
million given enabling 1,224 educational awards to be granted during
his year.
John R. Seay,
a member of Midland Rotary Club, became District Governor on July 1,
1981. Governor Seay married Charlotte and together they raised five
children. He was born in Wichita Falls, raised in the Ft. Worth
Masonic Home until he was 13, entered business when he was 14 and
worked in the oil patch after graduation from Christoval High
School. After a two year stint in the U.S. Army artillery he gained
experience in drilling and completion of wells and producing oil. He
became a broker of pipe and oil field equipment and later became an
independent oil operator in the late 1960’s. John was active in
civic affairs, providing leadership in the American Heart
Association and the High Sky Girls Ranch.
Governor Seay joined the Midland club in 1974. He was a
working Rotarian and worked in several areas of the club before
becoming its President. His club honored him with a Paul Harris
Fellow award for outstanding serviced rendered. District involvement
included the chairmanship of two committees: Club Service and
Visiting Rotarians, and was the Governor’s Special Representative
for a year. Governor Seay attended several District Conferences,
Institutes, and Assemblies before being nominated for Governor. He
was on the programs of the District Assemblies held in Lamesa on
June 13, Amarillo on June 20, and the District 573 Conference in
Amarillo on April 2 - 5. He and Charlotte attended the week-long
Rotary International Assembly for in-coming District Governors held
in Boca Raton, Florida in May, 1981, and the Rotary International
Convention in Sao Paulo, Brazil in June.
When July 1st arrived, Governor Seay was ready to begin
his official visits to the clubs in the District. During his year he
worked with the following club officers:
CLUBS PRESIDENTS SECRETARIES
Amarillo Dr. Allen Early Middleton Askew
Amarillo East Kent R. Peeples Rev. Toby Ramsey
Amarillo West Kerry Ormson Lee Wilcox
Andrews Bert A. DeBord Allan Heron
Big Spring Hal Boyd Charles Parham
Greater Big Spring Jim
Shelton Chuck Condray
Borger
Randy Hanna Norton E. Curry
Brownfield Tommy D. Hardy A. Earl Jones
Canadian Howard Guidry Charles L. Kessie
Canyon Donald Johnston Kim E. Taylor
Childress Bennie F. Foard Kenneth E. Fink
Dalhart David Dow Joe Nisbett
Denver City William G. Gravitt L. Calvin Stewart
Dimmitt Keith Mussett Danny M. Rice
Dumas Anthony Foster Marvin Harris
Floydada Donnell Gowens J. M. Willson
Hereford John Faulkner Joe Kerr
Lamesa Wendell L. Strahan Verneal Roberts
Levelland Guy P. Miles Bill Pope
Littlefield Emery P. Blume Gary K. Hanlin
Lockney Roy Holly Rodney G. Kring
Greater Lubbock Henry Hoeve Patrick Murfee
Lubbock Dr. Idris R. Traylor, Jr. Roy L. Ward
Southwest Lubbock .Byrn Bass, Jr. Richard A. Martin
Memphis John M. Deaver W. R. Seeds
Midland James E. Crowder, Jr. Russell O. Smith
Midland West Melton D. Post J. Bill Kelley
Muleshoe Jeff Smith John C. Kennedy
Odessa Dean Kelm Everett O. Berry
Odessa East Miles Eckert Bob Parrish
O’Donnell Harold Sanders C. Truett Hodnett
Pampa George Warren Paul Payne
Panhandle Bill Mayfield Ed Hinshaw
Perryton Dough Hale Jinks H. Brashears
Plainview William R. Rice Robert H. Lindsey
Post Sid Conner Charles Hardin
Ralls Billy Ray Wright Adrian Taylor
Seagraves Randy Allen Garland Moore
Shamrock Paul Harding Lewis C. Heatley
Slaton Wayne Liles Ansil L. O’Neil
Snyder Rex Robinson Frank Miller
Spearman Robert Elliott J. T. McWhirter
Sweetwater Bill Rice P. Howell Buster
Tahoka Richard M. White John W. Wells
Tulia Lindol Dyer Phil C. Raught
Camp RYLA was held in the New Mexico mountains July
26-31. Tom Amason and Gary Moore (both of Southwest Amarillo)
reported a greatly enlarged camp that year. Three neighboring
Districts were invited to participate in the RYLA camp and they did.
A total of 43 Rotarian Counselors (31 from District 573) ministered
to 143 young men (78 from District 573.) Campers were mostly 17 year
olds between their Junior and Senior years of high school.
The District Youth
Exchange Committee reported a busy year beginning in July. Four
students spent a month in Austria as guests of District 191: Stacey
Sturdivant (Amarillo,) Claudia Saxe (Midland,) Margaret Hutton
(Midland,) and Tom Hollingsworth (Midland.) Four students from
abroad arrived in the District in August: Christopher Lenze from
Germany was hosted by the Greater Lubbock club; Miliza Valde from
the Philippines was hosted by the Lubbock club; Susanne Callesen
from Denmark was hosted by the Ralls club, and Ole Tietze from
Denmark was hosted by the Amarillo club.
Dr. Idris Traylor,
President of the Lubbock Rotary Club reported that their Inter-City
Meeting was a rousing success. It was held on September 17 at the
Lubbock Civic Center and was attended by almost one thousand
Rotarians and guests. For many years this premier club project of
Lubbock Rotary has attracted the an outstanding array of speakers
and this year was no different. The President of Rotary
International, Dr. Stanley E. McCaffery, was the featured speaker
and pursued his stated goal of “World Understanding and Peace
Through Rotary.”
PDG
Ralph McLaughlin (Big Spring) was congratulated upon his appointment
to the Rotary International Committee Service to Youth/RYLA. This
came about because of Ralph and Billye’s untiring efforts on behalf
of young people and RYLA in the District. Another feather was placed
in Ralph’s hat when the November, 1981 issue of The Rotarian,
official publication of R.I. carried an article written by Ralph
entitled, “RYLA - TEXAS STYLE.” PDG Ralph related the remarkable
success story of RYLA in District 573 since its beginning in 1976.
During Governor Seay’s
year a talented group of Rotarians were asked to head up the various
District Committees. They included: R. O. Smith (Midland) -
Secretary; W. L. Prather (Amarillo) - Treasurer; L. E. “Pat”
Patterson (Brownsville) - Historian; PDG Wayne Sturdivant (Amarillo)
- Nominations; Tom Amason (Amarillo West) - R.Y.L.A.; John Dawson
(Amarillo West) - Public Relations; Jack Walters (Midland) -
Interclub Activities; PDG R. G. Mills (Amarillo) - Legislation;
Charles Beil (Big Spring), Don Williams (Odessa), and Ted Pearce
(Midland) - Rotary Extension; Harvey B. Rhoads (Midland) - Club
Service; James E. Perkins (Odessa) - Membership Development; Hayes
F. Stripling, Jr. (Big Spring) - Rotary Information; Roger Friedline
(Midland) - Club Bulletins; DeWitt Thompson (Lubbock) - Youth
Exchange; John Oden (Amarillo) - Interact; Dr. Idris Traylor
(Lubbock) - Rotaract; C. R. Sytles (Odessa) - International Service;
PDG Davis Armistead (Lubbock) - Visiting Rotarians; PDG Bruce Pember
(Slaton) - World Service and Fellowship; PDG Ralph McLaughlin (Big
Spring) - Rotary Foundation; Dr. Harley Oberhelman (Lubbock) -
Educational Awards; Charles Neil (Lubbock) - Foundation Alumni; Joe
Mays (Lubbock) - Group Study Exchange; and PDG Earl Wilbur (Dalhart)
- Foundation Promotion.
Governor Seay selected the following Rotarians to be his Special
Representatives: Dr. John Colvert (Amarillo,) Wilson Hart
(Brownfield,) John Deering (O’Donnell,) Larry K. Holder (Seminole,)
Craig McDonald (Ralls,) Dr. John H. Selby (Lubbock,) Frank Saucier
(Borger,) George R. Wall (Childress,) J. Rudolph Wright (Midland,)
and Charles Vandiver (Dimmitt.)
R. I. President Stan McCaffery held one of his Goodwill
Conferences in Mexico City on February 12-14 and Governor Seay and
Charlotte attended along with 30 others from District 573
representing 14 clubs. Gifts from the District were distributed and
everyone worked hard on improving contacts with their Mexican
counterparts.
In
January, PDG Wayne Sturdivant announced that his Nominations
Committee had recommended Dr. Jack Selby of Lubbock to be the
Governor of District 573 during the year 1983-84.
Dr. Harley Oberhelman (Lubbock) reported that the
Educational Awards Committee had selected the following applicants
for scholarships to be used during 1983-84: Robert Reynolds
(Lubbock;) Randy Tucker (Pampa;) Robin Malone (Midland;) and
Christian Hayes (Amarillo.)
Governor Seay received letters from Graduate Scholar Wendy
Lou Yothers who as studying at Kultaseppakoulu - Lahtim, Finland.
Her reports indicated that Rotary funds were wisely placed.
The Group Study Exchange
Team from District 970, New South Wales, Australia arrived in
Amarillo on April 5, 1982 for a five week visit throughout the
District. The Group Leader was Rotarian Peter Wallace Diprose. Team
members included Malcolm Charman, Michael Dominic Fisher, Brian
Francis Bourne, Alan McCormack and John McRae. During their visit
they covered just about every nook and cranny of the District,
attended the District Conference in Midland, and departed for home
from Lubbock on May 12, 1982.
The 25th Annual District 573 Conference convened in Midland
at the Holiday Inn Country Villa on April 22-26, 1982. 435 Rotarians
and guests registered for the Conference and represented 39 of the
46 clubs in the District. President James E. Crowder of the Midland
club and President Melton D. Post of the Midland West club combined
their resources to host the meeting. Truman E. “Gene” Spires
(Midland West) was the Conference Chairman. He was assisted by:
Doris Spires - Ladies Events; Darla Pepper Secretary; Tom Stovell
and John Martin - Treasurer; Jack Biscoe and Maxine Biscoe -
Registration and Housing; David Hurta and James Crower Sports; Dick
Lutton and Gerald Graham - Sergeant-at-arms and Meeting Places; Mike
Jolly - Promotion and Publicity; Ron Schwisow - Entertainment; Camal
Dakil - Transportation; Carl Trim and Bob Gersten Reception; John
Braue - Printing; Kent Randel and Jean Walters - Decorations; Bill
Clanton and Marvin Eastman - Program and Events; Ernest Gilkerson -
Credentials and Resolutions; Delbert Downing - Necrology; Jim
Zimmerman - Gifts and Prizes; Dr. Millard Kimer and Janet Kimery -
PDG Banquet; James Armstrong - Flag Ceremony; Jack Walters -
Governor’s Banquet; Delbert Downing, Jim Zimmerman and Parker Humes
- Emcees; and Hugh McBeath - Audio.
The President of Rotary International sent a friend
of long standing to many Rotarians in the District to be his Special
Representative. PDRI James A. Speer of Glendora, California and his
wife Jean came to deliver President McCaffery’s message. Governor
Seay headed an all-star cast of Rotarians who make presentations at
the Conference. Many of the chairmen of the District Committees were
given opportunities to explain their programs. DGN John Collard
(Spearman) and DGN Jack Selby (Lubbock) were prominent.
Entertainment included Sports Galore, Westernavaganza, and the
Governor’s Banquet where six Foundation Exchange students
representing six different countries were presented. At a business
session PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock) was elected as delegate to the
R.I. Legislative Council meeting in Monte Carlo, Monaco March 7-11,
1983. PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon) was selected as the alternate
delegate.
In October,
1978, seventy-nine Rotarians and spouses from District 573 toured
England under the escort of Ron Preston and many Rotarians from
District 113 in Greater London. On June 1, 1982 the English returned
the visit and 39 English Rotarians and wives enjoyed a
pre-convention tour of our District making stops in Amarillo,
Lubbock, and Midland. PDG Davis Armistead (Lubbock) and wife Cora
served as official hosts and made all of the arrangements. Governor
Seay declared the visit a complete success.
R.I. President Stan
McCaffery presided over the International Convention in Dallas on
June 6 - 10 and Rotarians from the District were there in large
numbers. Many of the clubs in District 573 assisted their in-coming
club presidents financially so that they could attend the
Convention.
Governor
Seay held two District Assemblies, one in Lamesa on June 12. 1982
hosted by Lamesa Club President Wendell Strahan, and the other in
Amarillo on June 19 hosted by in-coming Amarillo Club President Bob
Russell. At both Assemblies in-coming officers and club presidents
were given much Rotary Information by Governor Seay, DGN John R.
Collard, Jr. and a host of District Committee chairmen and PDG’s. A
record 124 Rotarians attended both Assemblies representing 43 of 46
clubs.
In his final
report to Rotary International Governor Seay mentioned several club
projects of note. They included Southwest Lubbock’s Diabetic Camp,
Odessa’s induction ceremony for new members, Lubbock’s Inter-City
Meeting, and Lockney’s Farm Harvest fund raiser sale.
Club Presidents who showed exceptional qualities of
leadership included Byrn Bass (Southwest Lubbock) - Community
Service; Jeff Smith (Muleshoe) - Membership Development; Kerry
Ormson (Amarillo West) - International Service; Guy Miles
(Levelland) - International Service; and Dr. Idris Traylor (Lubbock)
- Rotaract.
Bill Prather
(Amarillo,) District Treasurer, reported at the end of the year that
funds in the accounts maintained by the District totaled $35,409.76,
with $15,108.78 held in the District Operating Fund and $20,300.98
contained in the RYLA account.
Governor Seay stressed the need for membership growth
throughout his year. Despite declining populations in many areas of
the District he was able to report an increase of 14 members in the
46 clubs bringing total membership in the District to 2,555.
1982 - 1983
There were troubled places all over the world during this
Rotary year. Some leaders worked to produce it while others worked
to contain it. Interpretations depended on whose side you were on.
During the summer of 1982, Poland was in the throes of political
turmoil. The Communist government in Warsaw was trying to cope with
dissent, demonstrations and open rebellion fanned by the Solidarity
Union. Iran was attacking Iraq, Israel was attacking Beirut,
Lebanon, and the Armenians were attacking Turkey. Princess Grace of
Monaco (Grace Kelly) died Sept. 14th of injuries sustained in a car
crash. In October the makers of Tylenol recalled 264,000 bottles
after 7 people died in Chicago as a result of taking cyanide laced
capsules. The Soviets sat down at the arms reduction table in Geneva
but did little else. Car buffs will recall that John De Lorean was
arrested in Los Angeles on a cocaine charge. In November, Soviet
President Brezhnev died in Moscow and was replaced by Mr. Andropov.
A few days later President Reagan called for the deployment of 100
MX missiles in silos near Cheyenne, Wyoming. A month later Andropov
began talking about reduction of missiles in Europe. In January,
Andropov said that he wanted a non-aggression pact with NATO while
his foreign minister, Gromyko, urged Germany not to deploy new U.S.
missiles. Elizabeth Dole was sworn in as Secretary of Transportation
in February and in March, OPEC cut their price of oil from $34 to
$29 a barrel. President Reagan called for a massive Anti Ballistic
Missile research program referred to as “Star Wars,” and was accused
of illegally supplying aid to Nicaraguan rebel forces. In April,
1983 the U.S. Embassy in Beirut was leveled by a car bomb blast.
When NATO announced they were deploying new missiles, Andropov
called for limiting nuclear weapons but arms reduction talks seemed
to go nowhere. Sally Ride, American’s first female astronaut, was on
board the space shuttle Challenger in June.
On July 1, 1982 Hiroji
Mukasa of Nakatsu, Oita, Japan was inaugurated as President of
Rotary International. His theme for the year was “Mankind Is One -
Build Bridges of Friendship Throughout the World.” President Mukasa
implemented the building of new bridges of friendship by visiting
clubs, districts, and countries not often visited by an R. I.
President. During his year the Rotary Foundation continued to
receive substantial contributions with $19 million being donated.
This sum enabled the Foundation to offer 1,297 educational awards.
John R. Collard, Jr. was
pinned as the District Governor of 573 on July 1, 1982. He was a
graduate of the University of Southern California, served in the
Navy during W.W. II, was active in the business of insurance, farm
management, and real estate, and earned the designation of
Commercial Life Underwriter. He was a civic leader, working with the
Spearman Chamber of Commerce, the Boy and Girls Scouts, Masons,
Shrine, Eastern Star, and Muscular Dystrophy groups. John was
married to Marjorie and they raised three children. He was an active
member of the Methodist Church.
When John R. Collard, Jr. became Governor of District 573 he
was well versed in Rotary. He joined the Spearman Rotary Club in
1970, maintained perfect attendance, regularly attended District
Conferences, and served his club in multiple capacities. He and
Marjorie were both Paul Harris Fellows. He was heavily involved in
R.Y.L.A. and served as Special Representative for Governor Armistead
in 1980-81. As the District Governor Nominee, he and Marjorie
attended the Zone 5 - 11 meeting held in Austin in January, 1982,
the District Conference held in Midland in April, the Rotary
International Assembly in Boca Raton for a week of training in June,
1982 then traveled to the International Convention held in Dallas
immediately after that. Governor Collard attended both District
Assemblies in June, one in Lamesa and one in Amarillo, and took an
active part in each one.
Governor Collard began his official visits to the clubs in
the District in early July, 1982. He worked with the following club
officers during his year:
CLUB PRESIDENTS SECRETARIES
Amarillo Robert M. Russell Middleton Askew
Amarillo East David G. Powell Jesse M. Adams
Amarillo West Don L. Patterson Olen C. Wilson
Andrews Lee N. Parry, Jr. Jerry W. Wade
Big Spring Clayton Hicks Hal Boyd
Greater Big Spring Troy L. Fraser Robert McKenzie
Borger Thomas E. Draggoo Phillip C. Spivey
Brownfield Truett W. Flache Michael Schaffner
Canadian Jay T. Godwin Charles L. Kessie
Canyon Howard C. Wilkerson Larry Davis
Childress Jerry D. Henderson Walter J. Eikman
Dalhart Warren Teston Joe G. Nisbett
Denver City Warren J. New L. Calvin Stewart
Dimmitt Joe Bob Sanders Douglas C. Pybus
Dumas Jack Preston Marvin Harris
Floydada Jerry Cannon J. M. Willson, Jr.
Hereford Gary L. Phipps Joe
E. Kerr
Lamesa Willard R.
McEachron George Burrows
Levelland Pat McCutchin Neal Ellis
Littlefield Donald N. Manning Cary K. Hanlin
Lockney Rodney G. Kring Gary D. Burson
Greater Lubbock Charles E. Hunter James D. Terry
Lubbock Roy L. Ward C. David Cobb
Southwest Lubbock Joe McKay Robert Ewalt
Memphis Sim W. Goodall W. R. Seeds
Midland David Grimes Russell O. Smith
Midland West Jack Biscoe John R. Martin
Muleshoe Tim Campbell Bill Liles
Odessa Bill D. Hicks Everett O. Berry
Odessa East Ken Griffin Larry Grossman
O’Donnell Kenneth W. Pearson C. Truett Hodnett
Pampa LaWayne Hogan Paul Payne
Panhandle Larry Gilley Ed Hinshaw
Perryton Rollie D. Rinker Jinks H. Brashears
Plainview Erwin D. Davenport Larry McEachern
Post Thomas D. Binford Charles R. Hardin
Ralls Bill Ashcraft Dean Taylor
Seagraves Tommy Mendola Danny Calfee
Seminole Mike McGreagor John Shepherd
Shamrock James C. Fling Bobby Robinson
Slaton J. Robert Moore David C. Tucker
Snyder Jerry Vestal Frank Miller
Spearman Michael L. Schnell Jack T. McWhirter
Sweetwater Robert W. Skupin Frank C. Grevelle
Tahoka Joe F. Hays John W. Wells
Tulia Pascal J. Hosch Phil C. Raught
Camp R.Y.L.A. was held August 1 - 6 at Camp Summer Life.
Rotarians involved in the project included Governor Collard
(Spearman), Tom Amason, John Heetland, and Gary Moore (Amarillo
West,) Walter Johnson (Amarillo,) Dan Hemphill (Midland,) John
Williams, Howard Wilkerson (Canyon,) Paula Moore, PDG Ralph
McLaughlin (Big Spring,) and Dick Marcear (Amarillo.) General
Robinson Risner told of his experiences as a seven-year prisoner of
war and Don Markham demonstrated pottery making and forming and
related it to living ones life as God would direct.
DeWitt Thompson reported
that eight clubs hosted Youth Exchange students during the year:
Amarillo - Margarete von Lewsinski (Germany;) Big Spring - Daniela
Ostevmann (Germany;) Borger - Frank Ferchau (Germany;) Lubbock -
Elaine Oliviera (Brazil;) Lubbock Southwest - Birgit Gotterup
(Denmark;) Muleshoe - Pernille Krogh (Denmark;) Odessa -
Marie-Claude Leroy (France;) and Plainview - Silvio Jubilut
(Brazil.)
Southwest
Lubbock’s Diabetic Camp was held at Camp Butman August 2-6, 1982.
The camp was located south of Merkel, Texas and Dr. Varma was the
man in charge.
The
Lubbock Inter-City meeting was held October 27 at the Civic Center.
PDG Davis Armistead, chairman of the event, was responsible for
another great evening of Rotary. The principal speaker for the
occasion was the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, John Gavin.
The annual Paul Harris
Fellow’s Dinner was held on November 13, 1982 in the Admiralty Room,
Southern Seas Restaurant, in Lubbock.
In January, 1983 PDG John Seay (Midland.) Chairman of the
District Nominating Committee announced that Charles Beil of Big
Spring was the committee’s selection to be District Governor for the
Rotary year 1984-85.
Alfred Griggs (Lubbock,) Chairman of the District Group Study
Exchange Committee reported in December that the following team
members were selected: Rotarian Don Nelson (Pampa,) team leader;
Steven Alan Becker (Midland;) William Britt Birdwell (Muleshoe;)
David S. Crawford (Pampa;) Len Ray Newsom (Midland;) and Stanley
Troth Smith (Odessa.) The team departed for Australia in Feb. 1983.
Governor Collard called
upon a wide representation of club members to help him carry out the
affairs of Rotary during his year. They included: Coy Palmer
(Spearman) - Secretary; W. L. Prather (Amarillo) - Treasurer; L. E.
Patterson (Brownsville) - Historian; PDG John R. Seay (Midland) -
Nominations; Gary Moore (Amarillo West) - R.Y.L.A.; John Dawson
(Amarillo West) - Public Relations; Kerry Ormson (Amarillo West) -
Interclub Activities; PDG R. G. Mills (Amarillo) - Resolutions and
Legislation; Dr. Allen Early (Amarillo) - Club Service; Ron Filkins
(Perryton), John Faulkner (Hereford), and Joe L. Murfee (Lubbock) -
Membership Development; Don Williams (Odessa), Ted Pearce (Midland),
and John Colvert (Amarillo) - Extension; John Oden (Amarillo) -
Rotary Information; Edward D. Freeman (Dimmitt) - Club Bulletin;
Thomas Hardy (Brownfield) - Vocational Service; Richard Lundy
(Borger) - Community Service; DeWitt Thompson (Lubbock) - Youth
Exchange; John Heetland (Amarillo West) - Interact; Idris Traylor
(Lubbock) - Rotaract; PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock) - Delegate,
Council on Legislation; PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon) - World Service
and Fellowship; PDG Ralph McLaughlin (Big Spring) - Rotary
Foundation; PDG Earl Wilbur (Dalhart) Publicity and Public
Relations; Alfred Griggs ( Lubbock) - Group Study Exchange; Charles
Neil (Lubbock) - Foundation Alumni; PDG Wayne Sturdivant (Amarillo)
and PDG Rigdon Edwards (Sweetwater) - Development and Planned
Giving; and Dr. Harley Oberhelman (Lubbock) - Scholarships Awards.
PDG John Seay (Midland) was asked to serve as Chairman of
the following Rotarians who were selected to serve as Governor
Collard’s Special Representatives to area clubs: Tom Amason
(Amarillo West;) Wilson Hart (Brownfield;) Elwood Freeman (Lamesa;)
Larry K. Holder (Seminole;) Craig McDonald (Ralls;) Byrn Bass, Jr.
(Lubbock;) Frank Saucier (Borger;) Terry Pittman (Canadian;) John M.
Deaver (Memphis;) Dean Kelm (Odessa;) Charles Walsh (Big Spring;)
and Jeff Smith (Muleshoe.)
Due to an illness PVPRI Rex Webster was unable to attend the
Council on Legislation meeting in Monte Carlo, Monaco, on March 7 -
10, 1983. The elected Alternate Delegate, PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon)
made the trip with his wife Norma. One of the hotly debated topics
at the Council was a proposal that women be admitted as members of
Rotary Clubs. With their wives sitting in the gallery, delegates
soundly defeated the proposal.
The District Conference was held in Plainview April 22 - 24,
1983. Registration for the Conference totaled 345 Rotarians and
guests and represented 33 of the District’s 46 clubs. Ed Self of the
Plainview Club served as General Chairman of the Conference and was
assisted by the following sub-committee chairmen: Terry Northup,
host club President; Rob Lindsey, Secretary; Dub Sheets, Treasurer;
Hugh Anderson, Sergeant-at Arms; Ralph Graham, Invocations; James
Robison, Program and Entertainment; Mary Anna Self, Ladies Events;
John Fondren, Publicity; Girard Fox, Attendance; Jim Crider,
Registration; Frank Gabriel, Reception; J. B. Roberts, Hospitality;
Frank Curry, Housing; Rob Strong, Meeting Rooms and Equipment; John
Marse, Decorations; Rusty Thornton, Meals; Merlin Bennet,
Transportation; PDG R. G. Mills (Amarillo,) Resolutions; and Bobby
McCall, Printing.
R.I.
President Hiroji Mukasa selected PDG Robert J. Tomko of Bishop,
California to be his Special Representative at the Conference. He
was accompanied by his wife Bea. Both were friendly, enthusiastic,
charming and contributed greatly to the Conference. Prominent at the
meeting was the Group Study Exchange Team, members of which had
recently returned from their tour of Australia. All of the Youth
Exchange students being hosted by District 573 clubs were present.
District committee chairmen and Officers made reports on their areas
of responsibility. Governor Collard was especially pleased with the
“Fabulous Friday Fun Night” and the Rotary Ann’s special luncheon
program that featured a spring style show.
Two District Assemblies
were held in separate parts of the District again this year and were
organized by DGN Jack Selby of Lubbock. The first one was hosted by
President Kenneth Pearson of the O’Donnell club on May 14. The
second was held in Borger on May 21 and was hosted by Club President
Thomas Draggoo. A total of 120 Rotarians attended both Assemblies
and heard presentations of Rotary Information concerning the coming
Rotary year. Participants in the programs included Governor Collard,
DGN Jack Selby (Lubbock,) Roy Ward (Lubbock,) Alan Henry (Lubbock,)
Charles Neil (Lubbock,) William H. Whiteside (Lubbock,) Pat Murfee
(Greater Lubbock,) PDG John Seay (Odessa,) DeWitt Thompson
(Lubbock,) Al Griggs (Lubbock,) PDG Ralph McLaughlin (Big Spring,)
Coy Palmer (Spearman,) Ken Axelrod (Borger,) Mel Marshall (Borger,)
Vic Kyler, Don Ormson (Borger,) Ron Filkins (Perryton,) Don Nelson
(Pampa,) Tom Amason (Amarillo West,) and PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon.)
The Rotary International
Convention was held in Toronto, Canada June 5-9 and was attended by
16,250 Rotarians and guests. District 573 was well represented at
the Convention by many incoming club presidents, Governor Collard,
DGN Selby, DGN Beil, several PDG’s, Rotarians and their spouses.
DeWitt Thompson (Lubbock) serving as District Tour Director led a
group of 19 Rotarians to Eastern Canada after the convention ended.
In his end of the year
report to Rotary International Governor Collard cited the following
clubs for their outstanding activities: Perryton - Annual Cherry Pie
Fund Raiser; Borger - Attendance Tournament; Lockney - Annual Farm
Auction Fund Raiser; Hereford - Antique Car Show; and Andrews - Gun
Show.
Club Presidents
mentioned for outstanding leadership in particular fields included:
Bob Russell (Amarillo) - General Leadership; Tom Draggoo (Borger) -
General Leadership; Lee Perry (Andrews) - Extension; LaWayne Hogan
(Pampa) - District Affairs; Jerry Henderson (Childress) - District
Affairs; and Jack Biscoe (Midland) - District Affairs.
District Funds were in good shape at the end of the year.
Bill Prather (Amarillo), District Treasurer, reported a balance of
$14,082.82 in the District Operating Fund and a balance of
$22,894.79 in the District R.Y.L.A. Fund. Contributions to the
Rotary Foundation totaled $45,306 during the year.
1983 - 1984
Politics, turmoil, and war were prominent in the news
during this Rotary year. In July tensions were heating up in both
Nicaragua and Congress. The Polish government tried to cool things
down by easing martial law and releasing some political prisoners.
AT&T was ordered to divest itself of 22 local telephone companies in
August and hurricane Alicia hit South Texas on the 18th, killing 17
people and doing $1.3 billion in damage. September saw a Korean
Airline passenger plane shot down over Soviet air space by a MIG
resulting in the loss of 240 lives. President Reagan beefed up
American forces in Lebanon and in September, Congress barred aid to
covert Nicaraguan rebels. Although Lech Walesa, founder of Poland’s
Solidarity Union, won the Nobel Peace Prize in October, 1983, things
were not peaceful. On the 23rd, a truck loaded with explosives blew
up a U.S. Marine Headquarters building at the Beirut airport killing
239. Two days later the U.S. Marines invaded Grenada. Americans
didn’t know who to cheer for in December when PLO leader Yasir
Arafat and 4,000 loyalist had to flee Lebanon where they were under
attack by Syrian-backed PLO rebels. Soviet leader Andropov died in
February, 1984 and was replaced by Mr. Chernenko. President Reagan
made his “Star Wars” speech again, pulled American troops out of
Lebanon, and sold some Stinger missiles to Saudi Arabia. David
Kennedy, 28 year old son of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy was
found dead in a Palm Beach, Florida hotel room in April. World
financiers, especially the ones in New York, were expressing concern
about many third world nations’ inability to repay their foreign
debts.
On July 1, 1983
Rotarian William E. Skelton was inaugurated as President of Rotary
International. His home club was Christiansburg-Blacksburg,
Virginia. President Skelton’s year was built around his theme “Share
Rotary - Serve People.” His emphasis on sharing Rotary produced 714
new Rotary Clubs, boosting membership world-wide to 961,256 in
20,838 Rotary Clubs. During his year contributions to the Foundation
totaled $21,913,289 and enabled 1,154 scholarships to be awarded.
District 573 continued
its long tradition of drawing Rotarians of the highest quality to
serve as District Governor. Dr. John H. Selby of the Lubbock Rotary
Club took the reigns as Governor on July 1, 1983. He was born in
Massachusetts, attended Dartmouth College in New Hampshire where he
was a student leader and athlete, earned an M.D. degree at Boston
University, served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, specialized in
Thoracic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School
of Medicine, became a Board Certified Surgeon in 1952, the year he
moved to Lubbock. In ensuing years he served his profession in
positions of leadership nationally, state-wide, and locally. Civic
responsibilities were divided between his community and church.
Governor Selby picked Carolyn, a beauty queen from Texas Tech for
his bride in 1970. Jack was the father of a son and three daughters.
Governor Selby was no
stranger to Rotary when he became District Governor. His father was
governor of a Rotary District in Florida and later served as a
Director of Rotary International. He joined the Lubbock Rotary Club
in 1952 and assumed an active role in its operation. He chaired the
club’s Cerebral Palsy Treatment Center Committee for several years,
was president of the club in 1980-81, and served as a governor’s
representative in 1981-82. A Rotarian for 31 years prior to becoming
governor, Jack and Carolyn attended the Rotary Zone 5 - 11 meeting
in 1983, the International Assembly held in Boca Raton, Florida for
a week of intensive training, the International Convention in
Toronto, Canada with 55 other District Rotarians, participated in
two District Assemblies, and attended a number of District
Conferences. He was anxious to begin his official visits early in
July, 1983 and bought a large and elegant motor home to assist him
in those tasks. His visits were only briefly interrupted when he and
Carolyn attended R.Y.L.A. at Camp Summer Life, N.M., July 31 -
August 5.
A project that
had been pursued for some time was consummated on July 1, 1983 when
three Rotary Clubs from District 552 were allowed to join District
573. They were the clubs of Kermit, Monahans, and Pecos and brought
the total number clubs in the District to 49. Months earlier when
R.I. made the official announcement PDG Earl Wilbur (Dalhart) flew
his Cessna 401 to Spearman where he picked up Governor Collard then
went to Big Spring where PDG Ralph McLaughlin got on board. The
group then went to Pecos, checked into a motel, and spent the next
three days ‘making-up’ at the three clubs and welcoming them into
the District.
The
Diabetic Camp sponsored by the Southwest Lubbock Rotary Club was
held August 1 - 9 at Camp Butman, near Merkel, Texas. The number of
diabetic children who attended the instructional camp continued to
grow and was recognized as an outstanding service project. The
Amarillo West Rotary Club made a special contribution to the camp in
honor of Governor Selby and Carolyn.
Governor Selby appointed a committee of three Rotarians
to investigate the possibilities of the promotion of free enterprise
programs in the District. Committee members included PDG Louis
Rochester (Odessa,) PDG John Seay (Midland,) and Rotarian Steven
Lemley (Lubbock.)
A fine
group of club presidents and secretaries greeted Governor Selby and
Carolyn as they made their official visits. They included the
following:
CLUB
PRESIDENTS SECRETARIES
Amarillo James R. Carroll Middleton Askew
Amarillo East Jess M. Adams Mark R. Ensign
Amarillo West H. Lee Wilcox Jerry McGuire
Andrews Allan Heronema Scott Mahon
Big Spring Charles B. Parham, Jr. Hal L. Boyd
Greater Big Spring Carl Bradley Robt. J. McKenzie
Borger Bill Farris Rich. Weddington
Brownfield A. Earl Jones Alfred L. Bond
Canadian Joe Gary Storey Charles L. Kessie
Canyon Ira L. Loftin Larry D. Davis
Childress Kenneth M. Shelley C. Crews Bell
Dalhart Pat Northcutt Steve Forcey
Denver City William N. Ford L. Calvin Stewart
Dimmitt David Schaeffer Doug C. Pybus
Dumas Billy A. Greene Jim L. Faut
Floydada Tom Farris J. M. Willson
Hereford Dr. Aaron L. Hutto Joe E. Kerr
Kermit Manny E. Jimenez Herman A. Barrs
Lamesa Verneal M. Roberts W. R. McEachron
Levelland Charles R. Battin M. Don Kennedy
Littlefield Anthony G. Riley, Jr. Cary K. Hanlin
Lockney Carroll Anderson Michael O’Connor
Lubbock Harold O. Harriger C. David Cobb
Greater Lubbock John Elliott Bill de Tournillion
Southwest Lubbock James R. Ratliff Alfred Griggs
Memphis I. B. Bryan W. R. Seeds
Midland Camal C. Dakil Russell O. Smith
Midland West Robert E. Gersten Steve Landy
Monahans Michael Hardaway Thomas Rodgers
Muleshoe Max King William C. Liles
Odessa Bob Covington Everett O. Berry
Odessa East William M. Holmes Larry Riley
O’Donnell James W. Reed C. Truett Hodnett
Pampa Darville D. Orr Paul Payne
Panhandle Eugene Phillips Ed Hinshaw
Pecos Clem N. Crowley H. J. Maxey
Perryton Ronald C. Filkins Jinks H. Brashears
Plainview Terry E. Northup William H. Sheets
Post David N. Newby Richard F. Maestas
Ralls L. Dean Taylor Kenny Wideman
Seagraves Garland Moore Bill Ayres
Seminole Dave Davis John L. Shepherd
Shamrock Edward N. Schaffner Robert Robinson
Slaton Coy Biggs David G. Tucker
Snyder Gary Terrell Frank Miller
Spearman Larry Trosper Jack T. McWhirter
Sweetwater John. A. Pennington Frank C. Grevelle
Tahoka Nicky Summitt John W. Wells
Tulia Boyd W. Vaughn Phil C. Raught
The Lubbock Rotary Club invited all District Rotarians to
be their guests at the Inter-City Meeting that was held at the
Lubbock Civic Center on the evening of August 31, 1983. Owen
Hamilton, Club Past President, chaired the event, and as usual, it
was a great success. The speaker was president-elect of Rotary
International Carlos Canseco of Monterrey, Mexico. He was
accompanied by his lovely wife, Marie. Dignitaries and fellowship
reigned supreme in Lubbock that evening.
Chairman DeWitt Thompson
(Lubbock) reported that the Youth Exchange Program continued to grow
in the District during this Rotary year. Three Rotarians with many
assistants worked in different sections of the District to make it
work: Richard Damron (Amarillo,) Pat Murfee (Greater Lubbock,) and
Ted Pearce (Midland.) Governor Selby lauded the group for arranging
the largest exchange to date: eight clubs in the District hosting 25
students from nine countries, while those same nine countries
received 17 of our high school-aged students.
Governor Selby recruited
an outstanding group of Rotarians from throughout the District to
assist him in promoting the programs of Rotary. They included the
following men: Roy L. Ward (Lubbock) - Secretary; L. E. Patterson
(Brownsville) - Historian; W. L. Prather (Amarillo) - Treasurer; PDG
John R. Collard, Jr. (Spearman) - Nominations and Interclub
Activities; John Dawson (Amarillo West) - Public Relations; PDG R.
G. Mills (Amarillo) - Resolutions and Legislation; Ted Pearce
(Midland), John Colvert (Amarillo), and Thomas B. King (Midland) -
Extension; Robert E. Allison (Lubbock) - Club Service; John Faulkner
(Hereford), Joe L. Murfee (Greater Lubbock), and Russell O. Smith
(Midland) - Membership Development; Jon Oden (Amarillo) - Rotary
Information; Howard Welborn (Lubbock) - Club Bulletin; Wilson V.
Hart (Brownfield) - Vocational Service; Alan Henry (Lubbock) -
Community Service; DeWitt Thompson (Lubbock) - Youth Exchange; John
J. Heetland (Amarillo West) Interact; Idris Traylor, Jr. (Lubbock) -
Rotaract; PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon) - World Service and Fellowship;
PDG Ralph McLaughlin (Big Spring) - Rotary Foundation; PDG Earl
Wilbur (Dalhart) - Foundation Publicity; Alfred Griggs (Lubbock) -
Group Study Exchange; Charles V. Neil (Lubbock) - Foundation Alumni;
PDG Rig Edwards (Sweetwater) - Development and Planned Giving;
Harley Oberhelman (Lubbock) - Scholarships; PDG Wayne Sturdivant
(Amarillo) - Annual Giving; PDG Louis Rochester (Odessa), PDG John
Seay (Midland), and Steven Lemley (Lubbock) - Free Enterprise; and
Tom Amason (Amarillo West), Walter Johnson (Amarillo), and John
Heetland (Amarillo West) - RYLA.
Governor Selby selected the following Rotarians to serve
as his Special Representatives to Clubs in the District: PDG John R.
Collard, Jr. (Spearman,) Tom Amason (Amarillo West,) Pat McCutchin
(Levelland,) Richard M. White (Tahoka,) Lee N. Perry, Jr. (Andrews,)
Craig McDonald (Ralls,) R. Byrn Bass, Jr. (Lubbock,) Thomas E.
Draggoo (Borger,) LaWayne Hogan (Pampa,) Jerry D. Henderson
(Childress,) Jack Biscoe (Midland,) Troy L. Fraser (Big Spring,) and
Jeff Smith (Muleshoe.)
The annual Zone 5 - 11 meeting for past, present, and nominated
officers of Rotary International was held in Lafayette, Louisiana in
late October. Governor Selby and Carolyn were joined by a good
delegation of Rotarians from the District including DGN Charles Beil
and Joan (Big Spring,) PDG Earl Wilbur and Dorothy (Dalhart,) PVPRI
Rex Webster and Madge (Lubbock,) PDG Ralph McLaughlin and Billye
(Big Spring,) PDG Paige Carruth and Norma (Canyon,) and PDG Louis
Rochester and Lois (Odessa.) PDG Paige Carruth presented a paper at
the meeting regarding research conducted with Immediate Past
Presidents of Rotary Clubs in Texas.
The Paul Harris Dinner, an annual occurrence in
District 573, was held in Amarillo at the Hilton Hotel on the
evening of November 11, 1983. Allen Early of the Rotary Club of
Amarillo served as chairman for the event. Paul Harris Fellows from
all over the District were in attendance.
PVPRI Rex Webster was
tapped by R.I. President Bill Skelton to be his Special
Representative at the joint District Conference of Districts 595 and
596 in Bloomington, Minnesota in April, 1983. This was the first
joint conference of these Districts and it took a special Rotarian
to get the job done. Madge accompanied Rex.
Governor Selby reported
with pride in his February newsletter that as of January 31, 1984,
there were 2819 members of Rotary Clubs in the District and that for
the month of January the District Average Attendance was 84.19%. An
oddity was noticed. Floydada, whose attendance is always in the high
90% range and perennially leads the District, slipped to 94% and was
replaced by Canadian with a 97% attendance figure. Mercy!
Governor Selby convened the 1984 District Conference in
Lubbock, Texas at the Holiday Inn on March 30 and it ran through
April 1st. It was a well attended affair with a total registration
of 554 Rotarians and guests. Forty-five of the 49 clubs in the
District were represented. The following Lubbock Rotarians were
involved in hosting duties for the Conference: Warlick Carr -
General Conference Chairman; Joe Minkley - Registration; Art
Rousseau - Transportation; Virgil Barber - Decorations; J. B. Potts
- Hospitality; Kevin McMahon - Physical Arrangements; Gene Alderson
- Sports Events; Dough Hodel - Promotion; PDG Davis Armistead - PDG
Dinner; DeWitt Thompson - District Advisory Council Luncheon; Byron
B. White - Breakfast Meetings; A. B. Watkins - Motivational
Luncheon; Bill Armstrong - Governor’s Banquet; Owen Hamilton - All
Faith Service; Idris Traylor and Pat Murfee - Plenary Sessions; John
Elliott - Monte Carlo Night; and Carolyn Selby and Bea Carr -
Ladies’ Programs.
The
President of Rotary International’s Special Representative was PDG
Royal B. Brown whose home club was Leavenworth, Kansas. He was
accompanied by his lovely wife, Bettye. They proved to be friendly
and a decided asset to the conference. PDG Brown gave an outstanding
report on Rotary International at the first plenary session and
spoke about free enterprise at the Governor’s Banquet.
PDG John R. Collard, Jr.
(Spearman,) Chairman of the Nominating Committee, reported that Jack
Biscoe of Midland had been selected by the committee to be District
Governor for the year 1985-86. Tom Amason (Amarillo West) reported
on RYLA and Dr. Surendra Varma of Lubbock described the events at
the Diabetic Camp for Children. PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon) reported
on the 1983 Conference on Legislation and PDG Ralph McLaughlin (Big
Spring) presented at up-date on the Rotary Foundation. DeWitt
Thompson (Lubbock) gave a report on the status of Youth Exchange,
John Heetland reviewed Interact, and Idris Traylor reported on
Rotaract. DGN Charles Beil met with incoming club presidents, Roy
Ward hosted the incoming club secretaries, and PDG John Seay
counseled with Governor’s Special Representatives.
The Friday night party was an extravaganza. Foods of
international flavor were served, Liz Lawson and Night Life played a
wide variety of music for dancing, floor shows by both vocal and
comedian artists were presented, and there was a Monte Carlo
gambling hall (legal) set up. Rotarians and their ladies
participated with wild abandon.
Saturday was filled with reports, panels, and sessions on
the programs of Rotary taking place in clubs and in the District.
These areas were covered by members of the District Committees.
Delbert Downing (Snyder) was his usual witty and entertaining self
at the Luncheon and PVPRI Rex Webster led the singing. In all, it
was a grand celebration of Rotary.
Governor Selby convened two District Assemblies for
incoming officers in the Spring. Both were organized by DGN Charles
Beil (Big Spring) and involved the membership of his District
Committees as his resource people. The first was in Lubbock at
Lubbock Christian College on April 28th and the second was in
Amarillo at Amarillo College on May 5th. A total of 146 Rotarians
was involved in the Assemblies and represented 47 of the 49 clubs in
the District. Topics covered included information about the duties
of club officers, District programs and activities, and Rotary
International.
The
International Convention was held in Birmingham, England in early
June, 1984 and District 573 was well represented. District Tour
Director DeWitt Thompson (Lubbock) signed up 62 Rotarians and wives
for his tour (QE2, etc.) while many others did their own thing.
Almost 21,000 people attended the Convention.
In his closing report to
Rotary International, Governor Selby cited three clubs for their
outstanding projects: Lubbock - Food Bank and Cerebral Palsy Clinic;
Southwest Lubbock - Diabetic Camp; and Pecos - Free Enterprise
project with Pecos Schools. The Governor also mentioned five club
presidents who had shown outstanding leadership during their year:
H. Lee Wilcox (Amarillo West) - Aid to Handicapped; John Elliot
(Greater Lubbock) - Rotary Conference; Camal Dakil (Midland) - Youth
Exchange; Bob Covington (Odessa) - District Development; and John
Pennington (Sweetwater) - Membership Development.
Other activities
receiving mention included RYLA, Youth Exchange, the planning that
took place for the next Group Study Exchange, and the Free
Enterprise programs that were developing in the District. The
Andrews and Kermit Clubs were commended for their projects with
Mexico.
W. L. Prather
(Amarillo,) District Treasurer, reported on June 30, 1984 a balance
of $19,505.96 in the District Operating Fund and a balance of
$17,499.67 in the R.Y.L.A. Fund.
Governor Selby reported that as of April 30th, $48,942.23
had been contributed to the Rotary Foundation during his year. On
May 31st, membership in the 49 clubs in the District had risen by
138, bringing the total number of Rotarians to 2,862.
CHAPTER VI
MERGERS, BUYOUTS, TAKEOVERS, GREENMAIL
AND GOLDEN PARACHUTES
1984 - 1985
By the
end of this Rotary year the change of business ownership was in full
swing in the U.S. Chevron got Gulf, Texaco got Getty, G.M. got
Perot’s Electronic Data Systems, IBM got Rolm, Nestles got
Carnation, Beatrice got Esmark, Philip Morris got General Foods, R.
J. Reynolds got Nabisco and G.E. got R.C.A. Twelve hundred other
major businesses also changed hands. Corporate raiders were
chronicled and included men such as Saul Steinberg, Irwin Jacobs,
Carl Icahn, and Amarillo’s own Boone Pickens. Corporate managers
devised protection for their positions referred to as ‘golden
parachutes.’ Equities disappeared by the billions and were replaced
by debt, much of which came from abroad. The Savings and Loan
industry began to disintegrate in Ohio.
The cold war was still on, but Soviet leaders were
talking a good game of peace worldwide. The Irish Republic Army was
blowing up Britain, Arab terrorist were highjacking and bombing the
Western world, the Israeli armed forces were retaliating in spades
when hit, and Democrats suspected covert Reagan operations in
Nicaragua.
Rotarians
will recall additional headlines. Union Carbide’s plant in India
leaked poisonous gas and killed over 2,000 people. Bernard Goetz
shot 4 thug teenagers on a New York City subway, Michael Jordan left
the University of North Carolina to join the Chicago Bulls and
Gorbachev came to power in Russia. Boone Pickens tried to improve
the lot of shareholders by making a run at Cities Services, Gulf,
Phillips and Unocal.
On
July 1, 1984 the gavel was handed to Dr. Carlos Canseco to preside
as President of Rotary International during its 80th year of
existence. President Carlos was from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
His theme for the year was “Discover a New World of Service.” In
pursuit of his one million member target, a record 968 clubs were
chartered. Rotary membership swelled to 991,047. The PolioPlus
Program to immunize all the children of the world was announced.
Rotary Foundation contributions totaled $24,311,364 and 870
Foundation Scholarships were awarded.
Joining President Canseco as an officer in Rotary was
one of the District’s most capable and hard working men, Charles E.
Beil, who became the Governor of District 573 on July 1st. Governor
Beil, a member of the Rotary Club of Big Spring, was Chief Executive
Officer of a savings and loan association, spent six years as an
accounting systems representative, and served the U.S. Army as a
missile officer. Professional associations included a term as
president of the Texas Savings and Loan League. He also was a
director and vice-chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas.
Governor Beil actively
participated in the civic and community affairs of the Big Spring
area. He was a member and president of the local school board,
chairman of the United Way campaign, director and vice-president of
the Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the board of his church, and a
member of the City Council.
Both Governor Beil and wife, Joan, earned degrees from the
University of Oklahoma. They raised three daughters.
Preparation for the
governorship was not lacking where Mr. Beil was concerned. A
Rotarian since 1967, he was active in the Big Spring Club and served
as its President in 1977. Governor Beil was also a substantial
contributor to the affairs of the District. Prior to becoming
Governor he attended many District Conferences, participated in
three District Assemblies, attended two Zone 5 - 11 meetings, had
been to five International Conventions, and undergone the intensive
training for a week at the International Assembly in Boca Raton,
Florida. Joan was his constant companion in Rotary.
Governor Beil and Joan
began their official visits to the 49 clubs in the District early in
July. Time was taken from their official rounds July 29 - August 3
to attend the 5 day RYLA Camp held at Camp Summer Life in Northern
New Mexico. Thirty-four clubs sent 86 young men to the camp and Camp
Director Walter Johnson (Amarillo) reported that it was a great
success. The objectives of the Camp included the development of
democratic values and intelligent leadership skills, recognizing
opportunities in a free enterprise system, and learning to think
through and arbitrate conflicts of values.
Other RYLA news included
two additional items. The District Advisory Committee had instructed
Governor Beil to survey all clubs regarding the possibility of
adding a RYLA Camp for young women to the list of District
activities. Also, PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon) reported the results of
a survey of RYLA alumni who attended the first eight camps regarding
their perceptions of the camp. “I have never seen such a high degree
of positive responses to an educational or training experience,”
Carruth reported.
The
Southwest Lubbock Rotary Club’s Diabetic Camp for Children was held
at Camp Butman near Merkel July 30 - August 7 and was again
successful in meeting its goals of instructing children to deal with
diabetes. The increased cost of conducting the camp prompted the
Southwest Lubbock Club to request the District Advisory Committee to
adopt the camp as a District project, a request that was readily
adopted.
During his
official visits to clubs Governor Beil met the following men who
were serving their clubs as officers:
CLUBS PRESIDENTS SECRETARIES
Amarillo Walter Johnson Middleton Askew
Amarillo East Wayne Gray Don Markham
Amarillo West Olen C. Wilson, Jr. Richard Countiss
Andrews Jerry Wade Scott L. Mahon
Big Spring Carroll C. Kohl Hal L. Boyd
Greater Big Spring Charles Condray Gene Madsen
Borger Philip C. Spivey Larry E. Ramsey
Brownfield Michael D. Schaffner Dr. J. V. Borum
Canadian Charles L. Kessie J. J. Hoobler
Canyon Jerry Hays Larry D. Davis
Childress Jim C. Baker Jerry Henderson
Dalhart Mac Bates Dennis Hardee
Denver City Carl Short L. Calvin Stewart
Dimmitt Jerry Heller Jack Thompson
Dumas Jim L. Faut Douglas J. Schroer
Floydada J. M. Willson, Jr. J. M. Willson, Jr.
Hereford H. Mark Landrum M.
A. Gentry
Kermit Manzy Simms
Herman D. Barrs
Lamesa Donald
R. Bethel David Spraberry
Levelland Neal R. Ellis William D. Goble
Littlefield Ray Keeling Kim Hanlin
Lockney R. C. Mitchell Kenneth Tate
Lubbock Clifford J. Breaud W. B. Wright
Greater Lubbock Patrick Murfee Robert Van Slyke
Southwest Lubbock Joe L. Price Merle N. Blosser
Memphis Larry Parks W. R. Seeds
Midland Roger A. Freidline Russell O. Smith
Midland West Duane R. Lutton Steve Landy
Monahans Bill Moss Thomas Rodgers
Muleshoe J. D. Cage William C. Liles
Odessa Bill Graf Everett O. Berry
Odessa East Robert Parrish Ross McKillip
O’Donnell C. Truett Hodnett Harold C. Hohn
Pampa Phil B. Gentry Paul Payne
Panhandle David Fox Ed Hinshaw
Pecos Mike Weinman J. J. Maxey
Perryton William H. Spies Jinks H. Brashears
Plainview Robert Lindsey Frank Curry
Post Jack L. King Richard F. Maestas
Ralls Craig McDonald Terry Hitt
Seagraves Dan Calfee Ben Knight
Seminole Ronnie Gandy John L. Shepard
Shamrock Boyd Williams Paul Harding
Slaton Donald Sikes David G. Tucker
Snyder W. Jay Kidd Frank Miller
Spearman Albert H. Graves Jack T. McWhirter
Sweetwater Horace O. Abbott, Jr. Frank C. Grevelle
Tahoka Frank Barrow Ray Don Box
Tulia Bob Gleason Phil C. Raught
DeWitt Thompson, Chairman of the Youth Exchange Committee
reported that 110 young Ambassadors of Rotary were either coming to
the District or going overseas during the year. Eighteen clubs in
the District were hosting 62 students. DeWitt and his committee
received accolades from the Governor for their impressive work.
The Rotary Club of
Lubbock held their annual Inter-city meeting on the evening of
October 9th at the Lubbock Civic Center. The chairman for the event
was Past President Idris Traylor. He and his fellow Lubbock club
members put on a fine show for District Rotarians. Approximately 500
attended the event and were treated to outstanding fellowship and a
speech by the Governor of Texas, Mark White. The Sweetwater Rotary
Club won the attendance award by bringing two bus loads of Rotarians
and guests to the meeting.
R.I. President Carlos Canseco convened the U.S./Mexico
Friendship Conference in Guadalajara on October 19, 1985. The
four-day meeting was attended by approximately 1700 U.S. and Mexican
Rotarians and guests. The central theme of the conference was to
expand the knowledge and improving the perception of neighbors on
both sides of the border. During the meeting inter-country
committees and world community service projects were established.
District 573 was well represented at the affair. Attending with
their wives were Governor Beil, PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon,) PDG
Davis Armistead (Lubbock,) Cliff Breaud (Lubbock,) Jerry Hays
(Canyon,) Rob Lindsey (Plainview,) and Bob Covington (Odessa.)
Governor Beil selected a
hard working and dedicated group of District Rotarians to assist him
in reaching his ambitious goals. Included in his District
Organization were the following men: Carl Bradley (Big Spring) -
Treasurer; Hal Boyd (Big Spring) - Secretary; J. M. Willson, Jr.
(Floydada) District Historian; Bob Lewis (Big Spring) - Public
Relations; Jon Oden (Amarillo) - Resolutions and Legislation; John
Colvert (Amarillo) - Extension; Walter Johnson (Amarillo) assisted
by John Heetland (Amarillo West), Hayes Stripling, Jr. (Big Spring),
PDG John R. Collard, Jr. (Spearman), Howard Wilkerson (Canyon) and
Sonny Choate (Big Spring) - RYLA; Roger Key (Lubbock) - (Interclub
Activities); PDG John H. Selby (Lubbock) assisted by PDG John R.
Collard (Spearman), Don Williams (Odessa), Bill Prather (Amarillo)
and PDG John Seay (Midland) - Nominations; PDG Ralph McLaughlin (Big
Spring) - Rotary Foundation; PDG Wayne Sturdivant (Amarillo) -
Foundation Publicity and Public Relations; Don Nelson (Pampa) -
Group Study Exchange; Charles V. Neil (Lubbock) - Foundation Alumni;
Phelps Blume (Littlefield) - Special Grants and 3H; PDG Rig Edwards
(Sweetwater) - Development and Planned Giving; Harley Oberhelman
(Lubbock) - Scholarships; PDG Earl Wilbur (Dalhart) -
Development/Annual Giving; James R. Ratliff (Lubbock) - Community
Service; Ed Freeman (Dimmitt) - Interact; Kenneth Hogue (Dalhart) -
Service to Youth; PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon) World Community
Service; DeWitt Thompson (Lubbock) - Youth Exchange; H. Lee Wilcox
(Amarillo) - Club Service; Joe L. Murfee (Greater Lubbock), Russell
O. Smith (Midland) and Jim Peterson (Amarillo) - Membership
Development; PDG John R. Collard, Jr. (Spearman) - Rotary
Information; Howard Welborn (Lubbock) Club Bulletin; PDG Louis
Rochester (Odessa) - Attendance; Owen Hamilton (Lubbock) -
Vocational Service; and PDG John R. Seay (Midland) - Free
Enterprise.
Governor
Beil tapped the following Rotarians to be his Special
Representatives to clubs in the District: DGN Jack Biscoe (Midland;)
Tom Amason (Amarillo West;) Tim Campbell (Muleshoe;) Bob Covington
(Odessa;) Thomas E. Draggoo (Borger;) John Elliott (Lubbock;) Neal
Ellis (Levelland;) LaWayne Hogan (Pampa;) John A. Pennington
(Sweetwater;) Lee N. Perry, Jr. (Andrews;) Ed Self (Plainview;)
Nicky Summitt (Tahoka;) and George Wall (Childress.)
Governor Beil was
jubilant when he reported the chartering of a new Rotary Club in the
District. Tom Amason (Amarillo West) led the effort to establish the
fourth club in Amarillo and the District’s first breakfast club.
Amarillo South began meeting unofficially on August 29th and was
issued its charter from Rotary International at a gala on November
17, 1984. Amarillo South’s President was Mark Smart and Don McCarty
was Secretary. The club began with 42 members, most of whom were new
to Rotary. The other three clubs in Amarillo provided assistance to
Tom Amason in this great endeavor. Amarillo South set its meeting at
6:45 a.m. on Wednesdays in Snodgrass Hall of the First Christian
Church in Amarillo.
The
District 573 Paul Harris Fellows (numbering 396) and Sustaining
Members (numbering 289) of the Rotary Foundation were invited to the
annual Paul Harris Fellow Banquet that was held at the Lubbock
Hilton Inn on November 16th. Approximately 100 Rotarians and guests
attended the meeting. Charles Neil (Lubbock) chaired the occasion,
PDG Ralph McLaughlin served as Master of Ceremonies, PDG Paige
Carruth (Canyon) delivered the address, and PVPRI Rex Webster
(Lubbock), past trustee of the Rotary Foundation, made closing
remarks.
Thirty-seven
clubs responded positively to Governor Beil’s survey regarding the
establishment of a RYLA Camp for young women. Those clubs pledged to
sponsor 42 campers. Don Markham (Amarillo East) was selected to
direct the Camp which was to be held at Camp Summer Life on August
11-16, 1985. Governor Beil was particularly appreciative of the help
rendered by PDG Ralph and Billye McLaughlin for the assistance they
rendered in this project.
In his September, 1984 newsletter Governor Beil said, “I
continue to find that lack of Rotary Information is the underlying
problem for clubs.” In order to be of help in this matter Governor
Beil began the process of disseminating knowledge, facts, and
suggestions, concerning Rotary on the International, District, and
Club levels of Rotary. His newsletters were lengthy because of his
attempts to offer club’s resources of information. He published two
eight page newspapers, Rotary Informer, one in November, 1984 and
one in May, 1985, that were sent to the each of the 2800 Rotarians
in the District. Each issue contained a wealth of Rotary Information
and represented a massive effort on the part of Governor Beil and
his District Committee Chairmen.
Some of the World Community Service Projects noted during
the year included Odessa East’s furnishing school equipment to a
community in Mexico, Odessa’s project of sending wheel chairs to a
school for handicapped children in Seoul, Korea, Amarillo West’s
project of developing a Handicapped Park in Amarillo, Amarillo
East’s interest in helping the Catacamas Rotary Club (Honduras)
raise money for medical supplies, Levelland’s project with the Ocho
Rios Rotary Club of Jamaica which made teaching supplies available
to schools, and Andrews’ and Kermit’s continuing projects with
communities in Mexico. Odessa developed an inter-country visitation
with the Rotary Club of Camargo, a small club in District 411 in
Mexico. Lubbock embarked on a Community Service Project of assisting
the South Plains Food Bank.
In recent years PDG John Tyler (Midland) was transferred by
his company to Aberdeen, Scotland when he promptly joined the
Aberdeen St. Fittick Rotary Club, became Treasurer for District 101,
established the first RYLA Camp in the United Kingdom, and served as
its Camp Director. It was widely know throughout the western world
of Rotary that the Club and District who enjoyed the presence of PDG
Tyler was fortunate.
Governor Beil, still stressing Rotary Information, held the first
President-Elect Training Seminar on March 23, 1985 at South Plain
College in Levelland. Attendance by presidents-elect was reported as
excellent. Topics covered pertained to the job of club president. In
addition to Governor Beil, those helping on the program included
PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock,) PDG Jack Selby (Lubbock,) DGN Jack
Biscoe (Midland,) Phil Gentry (Pampa,) Rob Lindsey (Plainview,) H.O.
Abbott (Sweetwater,) and Mike Schaffner (Brownfield.)
Two District Assemblies,
training programs for incoming club officers, directors, and
committee chairmen, were conducted by DGN Jack Biscoe and Governor
Beil at Lubbock on April 28th and Amarillo on May 5th. Forty-seven
of the District’s 49 clubs were represented at the Assemblies.
Registrations totaled 146 Rotarians. Program participants included
several PDG’s, current club presidents and officers, and chairmen of
District Committees.
Don
Nelson (Pampa,) Chairman of the Group Study Exchange Committee
reported that planning for the Exchange with District 198 in
Switzerland scheduled for 1985-1987 was progressing very well. The
Committee selected Rotarian Pat Northcutt (Dalhart) as Team Leader.
The four business and professional members of the team included
Eldon Davidson (Amarillo,) Ronnie Hanbury (Dalhart,) Paul Elam
(Seminole,) and Paul Hopper (Big Spring.) The District 573 team was
scheduled to depart for Switzerland in August, 1986.
The District Conference
convened on April 26-28, 1985 at Big Spring in the Dorothy Garrett
Coliseum at Howard College. A record attendance of 717 Rotarians and
guests attended the meeting and 48 of fifty clubs plus three
provisional clubs were represented. Members from both Big Spring and
Greater Big Spring Rotary Clubs cooperated to stage the Conference.
They included Troy Fraser - Conference Chairman; Carl Bradley -
Budget; Bill Hicks - Pre-Registration and Treasurer; Drew Mouton -
Registration; Scott McLaughlin - Physical Arrangements; Steve Fraser
and Bob Lewis - Promotion; Tommy and Ann McCann, Johnny and Cinda
Stanley and Linda Fraser - Decorations; Terry Wegman - Publicity;
Oliver Cofer - Printing; Walton Morrison - Credentials; Hayes
Stripling, Jr. - Hospitality; Bob Riley - Exhibits; Robert and
Claudie Patterson - Youth Exchange; Billye McLaughlin - Gifts; Don
Davis - Sports; Linda Fraser and Joan Beil Ladies Events; Lowell
Jones - Housing; Sonny Choate - Sergeant-at-arms; Bill Nehls - Food;
Jerry Worthy - Entertainment; PDG Ralph McLaughlin - Past Governor’s
Banquet; Hal Boyd - Advisory Council; Johnny Rutherford -
International Night; Carroll Kohl and Chuck Condray - New Members
Breakfast; John Beddow - Motivational Luncheon; Jim Weaver -
Governors Banquet; Craig Jones - Sunday Brunch; Jon Oden (Amarillo)
- Resolutions; Howard Welborn (Lubbock) - Bulletin Competition; John
Wilson - Song Leader; and Keith Ross - Pianist.
PDG Jesus Guillermo
Villarreal Rodriguez of Matamoros, Tampico, Mexico served as the
Special Representative to the Conference for Rotary International
President Carlos Canseco. He was accompanied by his wife Lydia and
one of their daughters. They complimented the District efforts
toward establishment of World Community Service projects in Mexico
very well. “Chuy”, an attorney, was very well received by the
Conference and exhibited enthusiasm, interest in and knowledge of
Rotary, and warmth. Interestingly, “Chuy” could not speak English
six months before he came to the Big Spring Conference. He studied
the language with help from his daughter, Adriano, and did a superb
job when he spoke. He was clearly understood by his audiences.
The First Plenary
Session on Friday, April 26, included a business meeting, a report
on the status of the District by Governor Beil, introduction of Tom
Amason (Amarillo West) as District Governor Nominee for 1986-87,
reports on Boys RYLA by Walter Johnson (Amarillo) and Girls RYLA by
Don Markham (Amarillo East), a report on the Diabetic Camp, and a
discussion of a Re-Districting Proposal that was under
consideration.
International Fun Night was held at the Coliseum. Food of
international flavor was abundant, a variety of music included a
western band, a mariachi band, a Scottish bagpiper, and an Oompah
band. Almost 400 Rotarians and guests had a ball.
The Saturday Plenary
Sessions included a panel discussion on membership and development,
reports on the Rotary Foundation, Group Study Exchange, and Youth
Exchange, Scholarship programs, and Vocational Service projects. At
the Motivational Luncheon Doug Parson (Midland) introduced the new
Paul Harris Fellows and Sustaining Members, and DeWitt Thompson
(Lubbock) received a Metal of Merit Award for his six years of
service to Youth Exchange.
Other awards were presented as follows: Most Improved Club
Attendance: Amarillo; Individual Attendance Award Drawing: Tom
Rogers (Monahans;) Greatest Percentage Membership Increase:
O’Donnell; Bulletin Competition: Dimmitt, Canyon, and Southwest
Lubbock; and Conference Attendance Award: Spearman.
Saturday evening the
Governor’s Banquet took place at the Coliseum. Special
Representative “Chuy” Villareal delivered the address to a large
group of Rotarians and guests. The Conference concluded Sunday
morning with a brunch, memorial service and devotional.
May was a banner month
for establishing new clubs. Three more breakfast clubs were
chartered. Metropolitan Lubbock was chartered on May 16, 1985 with
47 members. PDG Jack Selby and Governor’s Representative John
Elliott led the way for this club. Meeting time was set at 7:00 a.m.
on Fridays at the University City Club in Lubbock.
The Greater Odessa
Rotary Club held its charter night on May 22, 1985. Governor’s
Representative Bob Covington and PDG Louis Rochester reported that
the third club in Odessa had its first meeting on March 5th. The
breakfast club set its meetings for 7:00 a.m. on Tuesdays at the
Hilton Hotel in Odessa.
The Pampa Sunrise Rotary Club was chartered on May 31, 1985. Help in
forming this breakfast club came from Governor’s Representative
LaWayne Hogan, PDG Farris Oden (Amarillo), Phil Gentry, Don Nelson,
and the rest of the Pampa Rotary Club. PDG Jack Selby (Lubbock)
performed the ceremony.
In his end of the year report to Rotary International Governor Beil
was asked to list clubs with outstanding activities, techniques or
procedures and to indicate their nature. He cited the Lubbock Rotary
Club and the Rotary Club of Amarillo for their outstanding club and
community service projects; Kermit and Andrews for their
international service projects; Big Spring for recruiting; and
Floydada and Big Spring for consistent good attendance at club
meetings.
Governor Beil
was proud to report that four clubs in the District qualified for
R.I. President Carlos Canseco’s Presidential citation award: Pampa
(Phil Gentry, President), Amarillo East (Mark Ensign, President),
Levelland (Neal Ellis President), and Amarillo West (Olen C. Wilson,
Jr., President).
The
District Committees that were described as ‘particularly active’
included RYLA, Group Study Exchange, Youth Exchange, World Community
Service, Attendance, Vocational Service, and Membership Development.
Governor Beil was particularly appreciative of the many hours of
service rendered by Hal L. Boyd (Big Spring) - District Secretary;
Carl Bradley (Big Spring) - District Treasurer; John Colvert
(Amarillo) - District Extension; Troy Fraser (Big Spring) - District
Conference Chairman; and John Elliott (Lubbock), Ed Self
(Plainview), Tom Amason (Amarillo West), and Bob Covington (Odessa)
- Governor’s Special Representatives; and Phil Gentry (Pampa) for
tireless service as discussion leader at District functions, new
club founder, and Club Presidential Citation Award winning Club
President.
District
Treasurer Carl Bradley (Big Spring) reported that as of July 1, 1985
the District General Fund contained a balance of $21,399.37. The
Boy’s R.Y.L.A. balance was $20,644.57 and Girl’s R.Y.L.A. accounts
held $9,305.42.
PDG Ralph
McLaughlin (Big Spring) Chairman of the District Rotary Foundation
Committee reported another banner year in Foundation support.
Approximately $65,000 was contributed by members and the number of
new Paul Harris Fellows exceeded 60.
At the end of the year District membership hit an
all-time high of 2916 Rotarians and was attributed to the
establishment of four new Rotary Clubs.
The entire District took pride in the accomplishments
of Governor Beil when he was named as a “Presidential Citation
Governor” by President of Rotary International Carlos Canseco. On
July 1, 1985 Past District Governor Beil sat down briefly for a much
deserved rest.
1985 -
1986
Mayhem, misery,
malady, and monkey business continued to provide fodder for
headlines during this Rotary year. Readers will recall that it began
with Prime Minister Botha declaring a state of emergency in South
Africa. Oil prices were falling and OPEC feared loosing its clout.
President Reagan continued to build the American arsenal and
Gorbachev deplored the arms race. Philippines President Marcos was
in trouble over the assassination of one of his rivals and the
Titanic was located by a team of U.S. and French researchers. U.S.
planes intercepted an Egyptian jet carrying the four terrorist who
hijacked the liner Achille Lauro and forced it to land in Sicily.
OPEC abandoned its price structure and concentrated on market share.
The Gramm-Rudman bill was signed into law guaranteeing a balanced
Federal budget by the year 1991. On January 28, 1986 the U.S. space
shuttle Challenger exploded after takeoff killing the crew of seven.
Oil prices dropped below $15 a barrel, OPEC members wrung their
hands, and someone said that the lights were turned off in the oil
patch. President Marcos fled from the Philippines and Imelda left
her shoes behind. Libya made a mistake and fired a missile at a U.S.
war plane. Col. Muammar Qaddafi was visited on two occasions by U.S.
planes. On April 28, 1986 a disaster struck a nuclear power plant at
Chernobyl in the Soviet Union. In June, the government of South
Africa found itself trying to cope with riots, murders,
demonstrations, and sanctions from the Western world. The U.S.
witnessed continuing bank and savings and loan failures.
On July 1, 1985 a friend of long standing in Zone I and
District 573 became President of Rotary International. Dr. Edward F.
Cadman of Wenatchee, Washington assumed the office. His theme for
the year was “You Are the Key.” Rotary celebrated the induction of
the millionth member and ended the year with 22,365 clubs and
1,013,033 members. The Foundation’s Disaster Relief Program was
introduced and the first University Teacher Grants were awarded.
Rotary Foundation contributions totaled $29,753,883 and 931
scholarships were awarded.
Joining President Cadman in the administration of Rotary was
District 573 Governor Jack Biscoe of Midland. Jack was born in
Fredericksburg, Virginia. He went to school there, took his pre-law
training at the University of Virginia and completed his LLB degree
at the National University Law School. He became Special Agent,
Investigation Division for the Department of Agriculture, FSA
Division. Immediately before W.W. II broke out Jack was called by
the U.S. Army and was assigned as Special Agent, Counter
Intelligence Branch. He stayed in Counter Intelligence, serving in a
variety of positions in many locations, and eventually rising to
Assistant Director of Training for the Counter Intelligence School.
Jack met his wife, Maxine, while on an investigation in
the Piney Woods of East Texas. They married and raised five
children, two boys and three girls. They moved to Midland where Jack
became involved in work related to the oil business. He soon headed
his company that was instituted to film and reproduce records for
oil companies and others. Jack moved into the real estate business,
established and operated another company, and took an active part in
the Midland Board of Realtors, the Texas Association of Realtors,
and the National Board of Realtors. He taught real estate courses at
Midland College in his spare time.
Both Jack and his family were active in the junior
baseball program in Midland for eleven years. Jack was President of
the Eastern Sophomore League for seven years, his sons played, and
Maxine and her daughters ran the concession stand. They were active
members of the First Presbyterian Church in Midland
Jack was no stranger to Rotary when he became Governor.
He joined the Midland Rotary Club in 1972 and immediately went to
work. He headed many committees, served as Director for two years,
and became President of the club for the year 1982-83. After that he
took on assignments in the District working on the World Community
Service Committee and served as Special Representative for Governor
Jack Selby. In July, 1984 he attended a 2 day Extension and
Membership Meeting in Dallas, participated on the programs at both
District Assemblies held in May, 1984, and with Maxine attended the
District Conference in Big Spring, the Zone 5-11 meeting in Kansas
City, the eight-day Rotary International Institute in Nashville, and
the International Convention in Kansas City.
After almost two years
of preparation Jack was pinned as Governor of District 573 on July
1, 1985. His goals for clubs in the District included promotion of
the Rotary Foundation, providing more Rotary Information for newer
members, membership growth, more involvement of wives in Rotary, and
awareness of the Four-Way Test. With great anticipation Governor
Biscoe and Maxine began making officials visits to the 53 clubs in
the District. They were greeted by the following club officers:
CLUBS PRESIDENTS SECRETARIES
Amarillo Dr. Jess W. Ghormley Middleton Askew
Amarillo East Mark R. Ensign Frederick Chesser
Amarillo South G. B. Thompson Don McCarty
Amarillo West Jerry McGuire James C. Davis
Andrews Scott Mahon Tom Mitchell
Big Spring Dick G. Fields Hal L. Boyd
Big Spring - Greater Donald Bailey Mike Perry
Borger Norman Flue David Smith
Brownfield Alfred L. Bond Doyle D. Love
Canadian Don Schaef J. J. Hoobler
Canyon Gregory E. Harrison Mark W. Allen
Childress John Lott C. Crews Bell
Dalhart Jack Vanderburg Greg Duggan
Denver City John McCowen L. Calvin Stewart
Dimmitt Jerry Heller Jack Thompson
Dumas Douglas J. Schroer James L. Benson
Floydada James Williams J. M. Willson, Jr.
Hereford Dan Warrick M. A.
Gentry
Kermit Daniel L.
Desilets Herman D. Barrs
Lamesa James R. Edwards David Spraberry
Levelland M. Don Kennedy W. L. Goble
Littlefield Jay Messenger David Keithley, Jr.
Lockney Richard A. Winter
Joe Zorger
Lubbock Robert E.
Allison Bill A. Tarro
Lubbock
- Greater Jim Terry Sammy Biggers
Lubbock - Metro Byron Edwards Mitch Hankins
Lubbock - Southwest Jim Douglass Robert Smith
Memphis Kelly Beckworth W. R. Seeds
Midland Grady S. Blocker Russell O. Smith
Midland West J. Steve Landy Jim Dingler
Monahans Jerry Larned Thomas Rodgers
Muleshoe Paul Wilbanks George E. Hieman
Odessa Ted Campbell Everett O. Berry
Odessa - East Larry D. Riley Edward Wingo
Odessa - Greater Robert G. Porter Keith D. Purvis
O’Donnell John W. Deering Harold C. Hohn
Pampa Lee Waters Paul Payne
Pampa - Sunrise Richard W. Stowers, Jr. Joe Martinez
Panhandle Jack Miller Dale Gabel
Pecos Ben F. Meek, Jr. J. J. Maxey
Perryton Fred D. Lehman Jinks H. Brashears
Plainview Larry McEachern Ricky Riddle
Post Curtis Hudman Robert Wall
Ralls Deane Rodgers Terry L. Hitt
Seagraves Dan Calfee Steve McCormick
Seminole David D. Shuler John L. Shepherd
Shamrock Charles W. Rushing Paul Harding
Slaton Jim Estes Ansil O’Neil
Snyder Larry Don Farmer Frank M. Miller
Spearman Edgar L. Womble Jack T. McWhirter
Sweetwater Jesse C. Moore Frank C. Grevelle
Tahoka Stanley Young Ray Don Box
Tulia Bobby Fite Phil C. Raught
The 8th Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp was held in
the cool mountain air of Camp Summer Life near Taos, New Mexico July
28 - August 3, 1985. Governor Biscoe and Maxine dropped in for a
visit and proclaimed it a great success. He lauded the efforts of
RYLA Committee members John Heetland (Amarillo West,) Walter Johnson
(Amarillo,) PDG John R. Collard, Jr. (Spearman,) Hayes F. Stripling,
Jr. (Big Spring,) Howard Wilkerson (Canyon,) Kenneth Hogue
(Dalhart,) Sonny Choate (Big Spring,) and all of the other
Counselors and speakers who participated in the Camp.
The Diabetic Camp for
children, one of the District 573’s newest projects that was adopted
from the Lubbock Southwest Club, was held at Camp Butman near Merkle
on July 29 - August 7, 1985. The Camp, directed by the Department of
Pediatrics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, catered to
diabetic children ages 8 through 16 and was under the leadership of
Dr. S. K. Varma, M.D.
The
first Camp RYLA for Young Ladies was held at Camp Summer Life near
Taos on August 12 - 17, 1985. This new District Project culminated
the efforts of a host of Rotarians led by Rex M. Wilt (Amarillo
East,) Chairman of the RYLA Camp for Young Ladies. Don Markham
(Amarillo East) was the Camp Director and was assisted by Billye
McLaughlin (Big Spring,) Lee and Bob Covington (Odessa,) and a host
of Counselors and speakers. Emphasis was placed on the importance of
citizenship responsibilities, the free enterprise system, and how
Rotary attempts to stress moral values and the ideals of service.
Approximately 50 young ladies attended this camp. Governor Biscoe
predicted a bright future for this activity.
Governor Biscoe
assembled many of the District’s best to assist him implement the
programs of Rotary. He selected the following Rotarians to be his
Special Representatives: Tom Amason (Amarillo West,) Walter Johnson
(Amarillo,) Mark Landrum (Hereford,) Camal Dakil (Midland,) Mac
Bates (Dalhart,) Roy Ward (Lubbock,) Michael Schaffner (Brownfield,)
Charles Kessie (Canadian,) Bill Moss (Monahans,) Steve Fraser (Big
Spring,) Lee Perry, Jr. (Andrews,) Robert Lindsey (Plainview,) Nicky
Summitt (Tahoka,) and Boyd Williams (Shamrock.)
District Committee Chairmen included Tom Wurster -
Treasurer; R. O. Smith - Secretary; PDG J. M. Willson (Floydada) -
Historian; PDG Charles Beil (Big Spring) - Nominations; Billy D.
Looney (Midland) - Public Relations; Jon Oden (Amarillo) Resolutions
and Legislation; Bob Covington (Odessa) - Extension; John Heetland
(Amarillo West) - RYLA; Don Markham (Amarillo East) - Girls’ RYLA;
Cliff Breaud (Lubbock) - District Conference; PDG John Seay
(Midland) - Rotary Foundation Promotion; Don Nelson (Pampa) - Group
Study Exchange; Jim Reynolds (Lubbock) - Foundation Alumni; PDG
Ralph McLaughlin (Big Spring) - Special Grants and 3H; PDG Rig
Edwards (Sweetwater) - Development/Planned Giving; Dr. Harley
Oberhelman (Lubbock) - Scholarships; PDG Wayne Sturdivant (Amarillo)
- Development/Annual Giving; Cliff Chapman (Big Spring) - Paul
Harris Fellows; John M. Deaver (Memphis) - Community Service; Ed
Freeman (Dimmitt) - Interact; Idris Traylor (Lubbock) - Rotoract;
DeWitt Thompson (Lubbock) - Service to Youth; PDG Paige Carruth
(Canyon) - World Community Service; Richard Damron (Amarillo) -
Youth Exchange; PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock) - Delegate, Council on
Legislation; PDG Ralph McLaughlin (Big Spring) - Alternate Delegate,
Council on Legislation; Bill Clanton (Midland) - Club Service; Jim
Peterson (Amarillo) - Membership Development; Ronald Schwisow
(Midland) - Free Enterprise; and Harvey Rhoads (Midland) -
Vocational Service.
In
July, Don Nelson (Pampa) reported that his Group Study Exchange
Committee was involved with planning for the District to receive the
Group Study Exchange team from Switzerland later in the year.
Richard Damron (Amarillo) assumed the chairmanship of the Youth
Exchange Committee with the blessings of DeWitt Thompson (Lubbock)
and said that a large number of students would be involved in the
Exchange during the year. PDG Paige Carruth (Canyon) conducted an
interest survey throughout the District concerning World Community
Service projects.
The
Rotary Club of Lubbock, the club that sets the standard for
inter-city meetings, hosted its District 573 Inter-city meeting on
Sept. 19, 1985. All Rotarians in the District were invited to be the
guests of the Lubbock Club and meet with the featured speaker
President of Rotary International Dr. Edward Cadman. President Ed’s
home club was Wenatchee, Washington. The evening was spiced with
fellowship, hospitality and good humor. One of the outstanding
portions of the evening was the awarding of 21 Paul Harris Fellows.
Rotarians who were aware of the accomplishments of the Lubbock
Rotary Club’s Inter-city meeting recognized it as a project rivaled
by very few other clubs in the World of Rotary.
PDG Charles Beil, Chairman of the District Nominations
Committee reported that Tom Amason resigned as District Governor
Nominee due to a change in his business career. The Committee
proposed the name of Roy L. Ward of the Lubbock Rotary Club to
become District Governor for the year 1986-87.
District Secretary R.O.
Smith (Midland) reported that membership in the District had slipped
to 2882 Rotarians as of August 31, 1985. Attendance for that month
averaged 80%.
Governor
Biscoe joined the throngs of Rotarians in the District who urged
PVPRI Rex Webster to allow his name to be placed in nomination for
the Presidency of Rotary International. A letter dated Sept. 2 from
the Governor to Rex listed this as one of the Governor’s objectives.
Alas, Rex continued to decline the nomination.
Governor Biscoe and
Maxine led a fine delegation of PDG’s and their spouses to the Zone
5-11 meeting in Galveston October 3-6. The Zone Institute was an
educational opportunity for PDG’s, current Governors and Governor
Nominees to receive instruction in the “do’s and don’ts” of being a
governor and gain from the opportunity of keeping current on what
was going on in Rotary.
The annual Paul Harris Fellow dinner was held November 16, 1985 at
the Lubbock Club in Lubbock. Rotarians from throughout the District
gathered to learn of the great works of their donations. One of the
newest projects of the Foundation, PolioPlus, was certainly
attracting attention and gaining momentum. On December 31, 1985
Rotary International reported that District 573 had contributed
$41,278.75 for the year, bringing total contributions to the
Foundation to $763,692.30.
One of the great programs of Rotary, PolioPlus, had been
announced by R.I. President Carlos Canseco in 1984-85. By the time
the 1985-86 year began the program was in its organizational stages,
momentum was building, and the story was being told. Governor Biscoe
asked PDG Ralph McLaughlin to head the program in District 573.
Rotary International set a goal of $120 million, assigned District
573’s share at roughly $450,000, and almost buried PDG McLaughlin
with literature on how to accomplish it. Fund raising of this
magnitude was unknown in the District. With guarded optimism, PDG
McLaughlin began to put together his team, served notice to the
clubs in the District what was coming, and tried to make ‘PolioPlus’
a household word.
In
February, 1986, Richard Damron (Amarillo), Chairman of the District
Youth Exchange Committee reported that clubs in the District were
currently hosting 16 youth from overseas and that 12 of our youth
were in various countries attending high school. He predicted that
more would be involved in the following year.
The Levelland Breakfast
Rotary Club received its charter on the evening of Feb. 14, 1986.
Robert Watkins was the club’s first president, Bill Watson served as
Secretary-Treasurer, and Guy Miles was named president-elect.
Leadership for organizing the club came from the three men mentioned
plus W. L. Goble and PDG Burnett Roberts of the Levelland club.
Governor Jack Biscoe was the featured speaker for the evening. The
Levelland Breakfast Club began a tradition of making each past
president a Paul Harris Fellow.
April, 1986 was a busy month for Rotary in District 573. The
President-Elect Seminar was held April 12th at the South Plains
College in Levelland. M. Don Kennedy, President of the Levelland
club served as host for the meeting. Governor Biscoe, DGN Roy Ward
(Lubbock,) and District Committee Chairmen and PDG are served as
instructors for the meeting.
On the 13th of April the Group Study Exchange Team from
District 198 in Switzerland arrived. The Team Leader was Rotarian
Viktor Oberlin and the five team members included Peter Buri
(newspaper editor,) Felix Dettwiler (teacher,) Urs Harri (chemical
products technician,) Samy Holzach (Credit Swiss,) and Peter Wehrli
(ordnance surveyor.) The team visited many clubs in the southern
part of the District first then moved into the northern part on
April 27th. They finished their visit at the District Conference in
the middle of May.
Don
Nelson (Pampa), Chairman of the Group Study Exchange Committee,
announced in April that the District GSE team had been selected to
go to Switzerland the following year. Members of the selection
committee included Fred Beatty (Amarillo,) Mark Berman (Midland,)
Tom Draggo (Borger,) Troy Fraser (Big Spring,) Jim Reynolds
(Lubbock,) Jeff Smith (Muleshoe,) and Pat Northcutt (Dalhart.) The
GSE team selected Pat Northcutt (Dalhart) as Rotarian Team Leader.
Team members and their sponsoring clubs included Eldon Davidson
(Amarillo East,) Paul Elam (Seminole,) Ronnie Hanbury (Dalhart,)
Paul Hopper (Big Spring,) and Clayton Hubbard (Greater Big Spring.)
DeWitt Thompson, Youth
Exchange Committee chairman reported a great deal of activity in his
May, 1986 newsletter. Fifteen foreign students were hosted in the
District during the year and went on a skiing trip to Angel First,
New Mexico in March. They also presented a program at the District
Conference in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Forty-four applicants from
foreign countries made applications to come to District 573 during
1986-87: 24 for the summer and 21 asking to spend the academic year.
DeWitt reported that 39 students had applied to go overseas in
August, 1986: 17 for the school year and 22 for the summer.
On the 26th of April the
District Assembly for incoming club officers and directors was held
at Wayland Baptist College. DGN Roy Ward, Governor Biscoe, District
Committee Chairmen, and several PDG are served as presenters at this
meeting. DGN Ward recalled that about 100 Rotarians were present for
the Assembly. District Governor Alan Anderson (San Angelo) was the
luncheon speaker. The PolioPlus campaign that was in its
organizational stage received emphasis from PDG Ralph McLaughlin.
Governor Biscoe convened
the District Conference in Lubbock at the Holiday Inn Civic Center
on May 15-18, 1986. President of Rotary International Ed Cadman sent
Howard Weaver of Vista, California as his Special Representative. He
was accompanied by his wife, Doris, and they were considered to be
real assets to the Conference.
Dr. Clifford J. Breaud of the Rotary Club of Lubbock was
Conference Chairman. He was assisted by Randy Wright - Treasurer,
David Cobb - Registration, Richard Dickey - Transportation, Virgil
Barber - Decorations, Howard Welborn - Program Design/Signs, J. B.
Potts - Hospitality, Alan Davis - Sports Events, Jay Harris -
Promotion, PDG J. Davis Armistead - PDG Dinner, Rob Allison -
Governor’s Banquet, A. B. Watkins - Sunday Breakfast & All Faith
Service, Byron Edwards - First Plenary Session, Al Griggs - Second
Plenary Session, Jim Terry - Third Plenary Session, Governor Biscoe
- Motivational Luncheon, Pam Allison and Moggie Breaud - Ladies
Luncheon, Whit Victory - Sergeant-at-Arms, Bill Whiteside - Music,
and Joe Stephenson - Printed Programs.
The four Rotary Clubs of Lubbock joined together in
serving as hosts for the Conference and were led by Lubbock Club
President Rob Allison, Southwest Lubbock Club President Jim
Douglass, Great Lubbock Club President Jim Terry, and Metropolitan
Lubbock Club President Byron Edwards.
Governor Biscoe cited the highlights of the
Conference that occurred on Friday and included the program given by
the GSE Team from Switzerland, the presentation by the 15 Youth
Exchange students being hosted in the District, reports given on the
Boys’ and Girls’ RYLA Camps, an overview of the Diabetic Camp, and
the Hawaiian Luau held at the Lubbock Plaza Atrium that evening.
Entertaining music was performed by the Roy Roberts Group. Saturday
was filled with stimulating Plenary Sessions, a luncheon address by
Dick Bass, the Dallas mountain climber who had scaled the highest
peaks on seven continents, and the Governor’s Banquet that included
the awarding of trophies to winners of the sporting events, the
pinning of eleven Paul Harris Fellows, and an address by Special
Representative Howard Weaver.
The Rotary International Convention was held in Las Vegas,
Nevada and a large group of Rotarians from District 573 was in
attendance.
At year’s
end, June 30, 1986, District Secretary R. O. Smith (Midland)
reported that the 54 Rotary Clubs in the District had a membership
of 2903. Governor Biscoe’s year-end report to Rotary International,
the Treasurer’s report, and data on contributions to the Rotary
Foundation were unavailable.
1986 - 1987
This
Rotary year was a year of good news - bad news. First, the good
news. Russia was in a tizzy trying to improve relations with Western
Europe. Western leaders were being invited to Moscow for wining and
dining while high level Kremlin diplomats were visiting the powers
of Europe. Gorbochev announced the withdrawal of Russian troops from
Afghanistan and said that Russia would continue the moratorium on
nuclear testing that was about to expire. ‘Glasnost’ (openness)
became the catchword describing Gorbachev’s orchestration of his
program. With great anticipation the world watched as President
Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev held a summit meeting in
Reykjavik, Iceland. President Reagan turned up the heat by
championing the U.S. Strategic Defense Initiation (Star Wars.)
In other news, Libya’s Muammar Qadaffi learned that he
had been hoaxed by President Reagan’s ‘disinformation’ campaign
regarding U.S. efforts to force his ouster. IBM and General Motors
suspended business in South Africa, and Ivan Boesky was convicted of
insider dealings and fined $100 million. Attorney General Edwin
Meece reported that $30 million in proceeds from arms sales to Iran
had been diverted to Nicaraguan ‘contra’ rebels. President Reagan
was shocked and fired key aide Lt. Col. Oliver North and accepted
the resignation of National Security Advisor John Poindexter. Jim
Wright of Ft. Worth was elected Speaker of the House of
Representatives, succeeding Tip O’Neill of Massachusetts.
About 150 banks failed during the year, mostly in
agricultural and petroleum producing regions. Savings and loan
associations continued to tremble. Takeovers and rumors of takeovers
caused increased speculation in the stock market. Program trading
propelled the market to new highs and a record drop in September,
1986. In Texas, oil was selling below $15 a barrel, mortgage
foreclosures multiplied, and unemployment hit 9%. OPEC wrung its
hands along with plenty of other folks in the Lone Star State.
Chrysler acquired American Motors, Pennzoil pinned Texaco
to the wall with a $12 billion judgment, Iran-Contra hearings began
in Congress, Citicorp put $3 billion in reserve to cover Third World
debt losses, and the defense contractor WEDTECH Corp.’s kickbacks
involved many high level Washington officials in that scandal. Iron
Curtain countries were wooing NATO, Margaret Thatcher, and U.S.
Secretary of State George Schultz. President Reagan called for the
Berlin Wall to be torn down.
On July 1, 1986, M.A.T. Caparas of Manila, Philippines, was
installed as the President of Rotary International. His theme was
“Rotary Brings Hope.” The 150,000th Paul Harris Fellow was
recognized during his year. Rotary abided by the U.S. Supreme Count
decision and permitted clubs in the U.S. to admit qualified women as
members. Contributions to the Rotary Foundation totaled $47.8
million during the year and over 1300 scholarships were awarded.
Membership in Rotary grew to 1,038,747 in 23,095 clubs world wide.
Roy L. Ward of the
Lubbock Rotary Club became the Governor of District 573 at the same
time that R.I. President Caparas was pinned. Governor Ward was
president and CEO of Ward and Company, Inc., owners and operators of
several Texas funeral homes and one casket company. He earned a B.
S. degree from Wayland Baptist University and a Master’s Degree from
Southern Methodist University. Community involvement included
membership on the Board of Directors of the Southwest Lubbock
National Bank, the American Cancer Society, and the First Methodist
Church. Governor Ward had served as a board member, Secretary, and
President of the Lubbock club, was a Special Representative for
Governor Jack Biscoe during his year, and organized the District
Assembly held in April in Plainview prior to his inauguration. He
was married to Mary Ann Perkins who was reared in Petersburg, Texas.
She graduated from Texas Tech University and was an Interior
Designer. Roy and Mary Ann raised two sons.
Club Presidents and
Secretaries that served during the 1986 - 87 year included the
following Rotarians:
CLUBS PRESIDENTS SECRETARIES
Amarillo A. H. Barclay Middleton Askew
Amarillo East Frederick J. Chesser Walter F. Kelley
Amarillo South Hank W. Sandhaus John H. Robinson
Amarillo West Robert I. Hutcheson Bill Rice
Andrews Wayne Eppler Eddie _________
Big Spring Paul L. Shaffer Hal L. Boyd
Greater Big Spring Drew Morton Mike Perry
Borger Don A. Kremer Ben Conner
Brownfield Dr. Jess Borum Phil Porter
Canadian Don Beard J. J. Hoobler
Canyon Bob L. Bybee Mark W. Allen
Childress Tom Sheriff C. Crews Bell
Dalhart David Guest Greg Duggan
Denver City Joe Robinson L. Calvin Stewart
Dimmitt Jack Thompson Henry Ramalkers
Dumas Arthur Davidson Mike Thomas
Floydada J. Randy Hollums J. M. Willson, Jr.
Hereford Mike Rowls Jack
Mars
Kermit Julian M. Dawson
Lee Ruthledge
Lamesa Sam
Saleh David Sprayberry
Levelland Michael Gentry W. L. Goble
Levelland Breakfast Guy Miles William T. Watson
Littlefield Bruce A. Peel David Keithley, Jr.
Lockney Joe C . Zorger
George A. Schuster
Lubbock
Thomas B. Craig III Bill A. Tarro
Greater Lubbock Kevin McMahon Jim Shute
Lubbock Metro Joe Grimes Ronald Lewis
Lubbock Southwest Alfred D. Griggs Richard E. Smith
Memphis Jerry West W. R. Seeds
Midland C. Wallace Craig Russell O. Smith
Midland West Wesley D. Graham Raymond Dumont
Monahans Richard Ratliff Thomas Rodgers
Muleshoe Bill Liles GeorgeE. Nieman
Odessa David Lyons Everett O. Berry
Odessa East John E. McCollum Mark Banet
Greater Odessa W. Sam Glenney Keith D. Purvis
O’Donnell Melvyn Dutton Harold C. Hohn
Pampa Jerald D. Outlaw Paul Payne
Pampa Sunrise Limmie C. Baker R. Wilkerson Jr.
Panhandle Bill Shumate ________________
Pecos Bill Hopper J. J. Maxey
Perryton Robert J. Meyers David A. Landis
Plainview W. H. Sheets David Morphis
Post Steven Traw Robert Wall
Ralls Don Arple Kelly Wing
Seagraves Stephen D. McCormick David Wilson
Shamrock Robert G. Robinson Joe Ed White
Slaton David G. Tucker Ben W. Gwin
Snyder Jeff Lowrance Frank M. Miller
Spearman Ronnie Lusby Jack T. McWhirter
Sweetwater Timothy D. Fambrough Frank C. Grevelle
Tahoka John T. Krey Ray Don Box
Tulia Marshall L. Shelton Phil C. Raught
District 573’s three camps for young men and women were
held in July and August. The Diabetic Camp enjoyed another
successful week at Camp Butman (near Merkle) and was held July 29 -
August 7, 1986. The 10th Boys’ Camp RYLA convened at Camp Summer
Life in New Mexico (near Taos) August 3 - August 8 and was attended
by almost 100 young men, some of whom came from Wyoming and
Nebraska. Rex Wilt (Amarillo East) reported that the second Girls’
RYLA was well attended and a huge success. It was held at Ceta
Canyon (near Canyon) on August 12 - August 17. All three camps were
monumental tasks, involved many Rotarians, and were successful
endeavors because of widespread support from most of the clubs in
the District.
On the
World Community Service front, Kermit Club President Julian Dawson
described his club’s project with a small village in Mexico. He
reported that since 1961, the club has collected goods during the
year that might be useable, stored them, then delivered them in mass
during the Christmas season to the village.
Group Study Exchange
leader Pat Northcutt (Dalhart) reported the conclusion of his team’s
visit to District 198 in Switzerland. The team found the trip
exciting and the hosts hospitable. The team spent a week in each of
5 areas: Basel, Solothurn, Aarau, Luzern and Lugano and made trips
to Bern, Geneva and Zurich. Non-Rotarian team members included Eldon
Davidson (Amarillo,) Paul Hopper (Big Spring,) Paul Elam (Seminole,)
Clayton Hubbard (Midland,) and Ronnie Hanbury (Dalhart.)
Tahoka club president
John Krey presided over the celebration of his club’s 50th
anniversary on October 30, 1986. PVPRI Rex Webster was the featured
speaker and was joined by other dignitaries from the District to
take note of that milestone.
PDG Charles Beil, Chairman of the Paul Harris Committee,
convened the annual Paul Harris Dinner on Nov. 8 at the Mission
Country Club in Odessa. Paul Harris Fellows and Sustaining Members
from all parts of the District were in attendance and were treated
to an address by PDG Henry Pick of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Governor Ward selected
the following Rotarians to carry out the programs of Rotary in the
District during his year. His Special Representatives included Rufus
Grisham (Lubbock,) Don Kennedy (Levelland,) Dee Justice (Post,) Joe
Brooks (Odessa,) Bill Hubbs ( Pecos,) Owen Thornton (Lockney,) Steve
Fraser (Big Spring,) Charles L. Kessie (Canadian,) Walter Johnson
(Amarillo,) Aaron Hutto (Hereford,) and Lester Wiles (Borger.) The
District Secretary was David Cobb (Lubbock,) the District Treasurer
was Phil Houchen (Lubbock,) and the District Historian was PDG J.M.
Willson, Jr. (Floydada,)
District Committees were headed by the following Rotarians:
PDG Jack Biscoe (Midland) - Nominations; Billy D. Looney (Midland) -
Public Relations; Jon Oden (Amarillo) - Resolutions and Legislation;
Bob Covington (Odessa) - Extension; John Heetland (Amarillo West) -
RYLA; and PDG John R. Collard, Jr. (Spearman) - Interclub
Activities. PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock) headed the Rotary Foundation
Committee and was assisted by Don Nelson (Pampa) - Group Study
Exchange; Charles Neil (Lubbock) - Foundation Alumni; PDG Louis
Rochester (Odessa) Special Grants and 3H; PDG Rig Edwards
(Sweetwater) - Development/Planned Giving; Harley Oberhelman
(Lubbock) - Scholarships; PDG John R. Collard, Jr. (Spearman) -
Development/Annual Giving; and PDG Charles Beil (Big Spring) - Paul
Harris Fellows.
Bill C.
Clanton chaired the District Club Service Committee and was assisted
by W. H. Tinney (Lubbock) - Membership Development; PDG John R.
Collard, Jr. (Spearman) - Rotary Information; Howard Welborn
(Lubbock) - Club Bulletin; PDG Davis Armistead (Lubbock) -
Attendance; Ronald Schwisow (Midland) - Free Enterprise; and PDG
Ralph McLaughlin (Big Spring) - Four-Way Test.
The District Community
Service Committee was chaired by John M. Deaver (Memphis) and he was
aided by Ed Freeman (Dimmitt) - Interact; Charles Neil (Lubbock) -
Rotoract; DeWitt Thompson (Lubbock) - Service to Youth; PDG Paige
Carruth (Canyon) - World Community Service; and Richard Damron
(Amarillo) - International Youth Exchange. John Heetland (Amarillo
West) chaired Boy’s RYLA, Rex Wilt (Amarillo East) headed Girl’s
RYLA, and Jerry Casstevens (Lubbock) led the Diabetic Camp group.
Meanwhile, PDG Ralph
McLaughlin was actively pursuing the PolioPlus campaign begun a year
earlier. He selected 13 Rotarians to serve as Area Coordinators and
they included Al Griggs (Lubbock,) PDG Burnett Roberts (Levelland,)
Bob Brown (Lamesa,) PDG Jack Biscoe (Midland,) Lee N. Perry, Jr.
(Andrews,) Conrad Dunagan (Monahans,) W. H. ‘Dub’ Sheets
(Plainview,) PDG Rig Edwards (Sweetwater,) Lee Cornelison (Pampa,)
Walter Johnson (Amarillo,) Tom Sheriff (Childress,) Buck Campbell
(Muleshoe,) and PDG John R. Collard, Jr. (Spearman.)
PDG Ralph held training
sessions with the coordinators, had them select and train local club
coordinators, put together a visitation schedule for the 54 clubs in
the District, and began telling the story of the aims of PolioPlus.
The Rotary year of 1986-87 was a busy one for PolioPlus team with
much recruiting, training and scheduling taking place.
On December 11th, 1986 a
new twist was added to the Lubbock Inter-City meeting. It was hosted
by the combined efforts of the four Rotary Clubs in Lubbock. More
than 400 Rotarians and guests gathered at the Lubbock Civic Center
and were treated to a speech by the Honorable Lloyd Bentsen, the
senior Senator from Texas. It was a grand night for Rotary in
District 573.
In
mid-year, Governor Ward sold his funeral and cemetery business
interests and moved to Mineral Wells. This greatly increased the
time involved in travel for the governor but all commitments were
met during the remainder of the year.
Don Nelson, chairman of the District Group Study Exchange
Committee announced in March, 1987 that District 573 had been
granted an exchange with District 217 of Belgium for 1987-88. He
said that we were scheduled to host the Belgians in April-May, 1988.
District 573
participated in the first President-Elect Training Seminar that was
held in San Antonio March 13 - 15, 1987. The PETS conference was a
joint effort by the nine Rotary Districts in the State of Texas to
provide in-coming club presidents with essential Rotary information.
Over 300 Rotarians were in attendance, 30 of who were from District
573. Faculty participants from the District included PVPRI Rex
Webster (Lubbock,) PDG Ralph McLaughlin (Big Spring,) PDG Jack
Biscoe (Midland,) DG Roy Ward (Mineral Wells,) Lester Wills
(Borger,) and Larry Johnson (Odessa.)
The District Assembly was held in Brownfield on April
25th, 1987. DGN Ed Self (Plainview) presided and was assisted by
Basil Marhofer, R.I. Director-Elect from Kansas. Governor Ward,
PDGs, and District Committee chairs made presentations to the
incoming club officers.
Another ‘first’ occurred when the District Conference was convened
outside of the District. The Inn of the Mountain Gods near Ruidoso,
New Mexico was the setting and the conference spanned May 7 - May
10, 1987. PDG Jack Selby and Rob Allison were Co-Chairmen for the
event and worked long hours during the year planning the events.
They were assisted by Bill Tarillo - Registration; Virgil Barber -
Decorations; Sam Biggers - Sergeant-at-arms; PDG Earl Wilbur - Golf;
Tom Craig - Tennis; George Keeling - Publicity; PDG Davis Armistead
- PDG Dinner; A. B. Watkins - All Faith Service; Charles Neil -
Plenary Sessions; Lester Wiles - Governor’s Banquet; Bill
DeTournillon - Audio and Video; Kevin McMahon - Budget; PDG John R.
Collard, Jr. - Resolutions; and PDG Ralph McLaughlin - PolioPlus.
R. I. President M.A.T. Caparas sent PDG Richard H.
Kendall of Indianapolis, Indiana to the Conference as his Special
Representative. PDG Kendall was one of the International Campaign
Coordinators for PolioPlus. He was accompanied by his wife Ann. (PDG
Kendall served as R.I. Vice President in 1992 until his untimely
death in September.)
Governor Ward opened the conference Thursday afternoon, May 7. After
introductions were made Governor Ward gave a report on the state of
the District, PDG Jack Biscoe (Midland) announced that the District
Nominating Committee proposed J. D. Cage (Muleshoe) to be District
Governor during 1988-89, and Special Representative Richard H.
Kendall covered the international aspects of Rotary and PolioPlus.
Other speakers included District Treasurer Phil Houchin (Metro
Lubbock,) Club President Elect Larry Davidson (Odessa East,) Club
President Wesley Graham (Midland West,) and David Norris (Andrews.)
Friday’s Second Plenary Session was hosted by Walter Johnson
(Amarillo) and concerned Club Service. Membership Development was
discussed by Bill Tinney (Metro Lubbock,) Hugh Barclay (Amarillo)
addressed Classifications, Rotary Information treated by Jerry Huff
(Amarillo,) and Club Projects received attention from Walter Johnson
(Amarillo.)
Later that
morning Youth Activities were discussed by Tom Sheriff (Childress) -
Interact; Tommy Patterson (Southwest Lubbock) - Diabetic Camp;
Billye McLaughlin (Big Spring) - Girl’s RYLA; and PDG John R.
Collard, Jr. (Spearman) - Boys’ RYLA.
Sporting events were staged Friday afternoon and the
evening was filled with a Mescalero Apache Indian “Pow Wow” and a
Western Bar-B-Que Dinner.
Saturday began with a Plenary Session devoted to
International Service. PDG Ralph McLaughlin outlined the PolioPlus
campaign, William Buhler of Roswell discussed the “Nifty-Fifty,”
Richard Damron presented a status report on Youth Exchange and Don
Nelson (Pampa) and Pat Northcutt (Dalhart) related Group Study
Exchange experiences. That evening Special Representative Rick
Kendall was the featured speaker at the Governor’s Banquet.
The Conference closed
Sunday morning with a report concerning Conference Resolutions and
an All Faith Service led by A. B. Watkins (Lubbock). Attendance at
the Conference totaled 296 Rotarians and guests.
Governor Ward reported
that membership figures for the District ended on a positive note.
He began the year with 2,903 members and ended with 2,913, a gain of
10. Contributions to the Rotary Foundation were good, PolioPlus was
set to begin, and District 573 finances were in the black.
CHAPTER VII
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE
BEAUTY OF ROTARY
1987 -
1988
As this was written
we were moving into the final decade of this historical update. Most
readers of this narrative will recall the events and people who made
the news during this Rotary year. Beginning in July President Reagan
nominated Robert H. Bork for an associate justice seat on the
Supreme Court and the Democrats had a field day with it. Col. Oliver
North began giving testimony before House and Senate committees on
the Iran-Contra scandal and the U.S. Navy began escorting Kuwaiti
oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. Iran and Iraq continued their war
while many still wondered who to cheer on in that conflict even
though the U.S. government supported Iraq. Senator Joseph Biden, Jr.
(Dem.- Delaware) quit the race for president when accused of
plagiarizing his speeches. October 19, 1987 became known as “Black
Monday” when the Dow Jones industrial average plunged over 508
points. In November Soviet leader Gorbachev denounced Joseph Stalin
for “enormous and unforgivable” crimes and Boris Yeltsin, the Soviet
Communist Party Chief of the city of Moscow was ousted by the
party’s Central Committee.
The new year of 1988 began with the University of Miami
beating the University of Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl and the
Washington Redskins winning over Denver’s Broncos in Super Bowl
XXII. After rejecting Judge Bork, the Senate confirmed Anthony M.
Kennedy as an associate justice of the Supreme Court and the primary
season began with the Iowa caucuses. Vice President Bush and
Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis were the front runners.
Panama made the news with Gen. Noriega’s indictment by a U.S.
Federal grand jury, street riots by unpaid Panamanian workers, and
an increase of troops at U.S. bases. President Reagan and Soviet
leader Gorbachev consummated a treaty in Moscow in the early summer
agreeing to eliminate intermediate nuclear forces worldwide.
Such was the state of
affairs going on worldwide during the presidency of Charles C.
Keller who was inaugurated as President of Rotary International on
July 1, 1987. Charles’ home club was in California, Pennsylvania and
his Rotary theme for the year was “Rotarians - United in Service -
Dedicated to Peace.” Rotary moved into its new world headquarters
building in Evanston, Illinois, irrelevantly referred to as “Mecca”
by some Rotarians who shall remain nameless. Contributions to the
Rotary Foundation continued to increase. A total of $118.2 million
was donated with $101.2 million allocated for the PolioPlus fund.
The Endowment grew to $2.3 million and 1,382 scholarships were
awarded. The international convention was held in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania and was attended by 16,316 Rotarians and guests.
District 573 was well represented. Membership in Rotary totaled
1,056,888 at the end of the year and the number of Rotary clubs grew
to 23,679.
District
leadership passed to one of District 573’s premier Rotarians on July
1, 1987, an attorney from Plainview, Texas named Edward L. Self.
District Governor Self was a board certified specialist in Family
Law matters. He had degrees from Texas Tech University and the
University of Texas School of Law. Professional service to the
community included serving as President of the Hale County Bar
Association and teaching law classes at Wayland College.
Governor Self joined the
Plainview Rotary Club in 1973 and served as its president in
1978-79. His talents were immediately recognized and he was called
on to serve as a group representative for three District Governors
and was tapped as a District Conference Chairman. Before becoming
Governor of the District he had attended several District
Conferences, District Institutes, and International Conventions. As
District Governor Nominee he and his wife attended the Zone 5-11
meeting held in Little Rock, Arkansas, the PETS seminar for
in-coming club presidents which was held in San Antonio, the
District Institute in Brownfield, the District Conference in
Ruidoso, and spent an intensive week at the Rotary International
Institute held in Nashville, Tennessee. Together they attended the
International Convention in Munich, Germany.
Governor Self was
married to Mary Anna and they raised two sons. They were members of
the Plainview Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder. In
their spare time they enjoyed raising llamas, wilderness hiking, and
fishing. All members of the family were Paul Harris Fellows and
Governor Self and Mary Anna were Benefactors of the Rotary
Foundation.
A funny
thing happened on Governor Self’s way to his July 1, 1987
inauguration. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Rotary International
could not expel clubs that admitted women as members and the R.I.
Board announced that R.I. would not attempt to do so. Consternation,
anguish, and hand wringing prevailed. Amid heated debate the R.I.
Council on Legislation had voted at its last two meetings not to
admit women (with their wives watching from the balcony). In
District 573 Fred Chesser, outgoing President of the Amarillo East
Rotary Club, presented this dilemma to his club upon his return from
the Munich R.I. Convention. They looked the controversy squarely in
the face and promptly admitted two women, Doris Rogers and Vicky
Covey in mid July 1987, providing leadership that other clubs in the
District soon began to follow.
There can be no doubt that admitting business and
professional Women and Rotary was a milestone in our history. Rarely
do two milestone occupies the same time span but such was the case
in 1987-88. PDG Ralph McLaughlin had laid the ground work for
Rotary’s PolioPlus campaign in prior years and it bore fruit during
Governor Self’s year. PDG McLaughlin accompanied all of the Area
Coordinators on several of their club visits. Area Coordinators
included Burnett Roberts (Levelland,) Lee N. Perry, Jr. (Andrews,)
Dub Sheets (Plainview,) PDG Rig Edwards (Sweetwater,) Lee Cornelison
(Pampa,) Buck Campbell (Muleshoe,) PDG John R. Collard, Jr.
(Spearman,) Bob Brown (Lamesa,) Al Griggs (Lubbock,) PDG Jack Biscoe
(Midland,) Conran Dunagan (Monahans,) Walter Johnson (Amarillo,) and
Tom Sheriff (Childress.) No attempt was made to pressure clubs to
meet arbitrarily set goal for fund raising. The story was told of
Rotary’s intent to eradicate polio from the earth and clubs were
asked to set their own monetary goals. Neither PDG McLaughlin nor
the Area Coordinators were prepared for what happened. Rotary had
assigned the District a goal of $450,000. The District Team hoped to
raise $100,000. By the time the visits were completed clubs had
pledged $629,616 toward PolioPlus. When the books were tallied at
the end of the fund raising effort District 573’s contributions
totaled $751,022!
Three
clubs were particularly noteworthy in the PolioPlus annals. PDG
McLaughlin was thrilled to announce that the first major gift,
$50,000, was made by Dorothy Garrett, the wife of a former Big
Spring Rotarian. That gift was responsible for generating another
substantial gift of $8,800. The Big Spring club set the pace for the
campaign with commitments totaling $62,300
Monahans was visited by PDG McLaughlin and Area
Coordinator Conrad Dunagan. Pat Ramsey was the local Club
Coordinator. With less than $2,000 in mind as a suggestion, the club
was asked to set their own goal, provided they were interested in
the program. They were interested in the program. The club pledged
and raised $50,000.
Plainview was another bright spot. W.H. ‘Dub’ Sheets was the Area
Coordinator and Mike Graves was the local Club Coordinator and was
assisted by club members Rick Riddle, Kevin Moseley, Bobby McCall,
James Thomas, and Ken Halbleib. DGN Ed Self made his presence known.
After the program was presented, club member Gene Owen said that a
trust he was administering for James and Eva Meyer would match
dollar for dollar all funds raised by the rest of the club. When the
dust settled, Plainview’s contribution amounted to over $131,000.
One of the most
unsurprising events occurred when Ralph McLaughlin was named an
Outstanding West Texan for 1987 by the West Texas Chamber of
Commerce. We knew it long before that.
Governor Self and Mary Anna began the round of
official club visits in early July after spending time at Camp RYLA
for boys which was held at Camp Summer Life in Northern New Mexico
June 27 - July 2, 1987. Our second RYLA camp for young women was
held at the same location between July 26 - 31 and the Governor and
his first lady were in attendance. District 552 (New Mexico) was
invited to participate, which they did, and Governor C. Neal Johnson
(Artesia) wrote a nice letter of appreciation to Governor Self.
Governor Self reported that both camps were of exceptional quality
citing those who organized them and the people who presented the
programs. Howard Wilkerson (Canyon,) the perennial registrar for
Boys’ RYLA, attended a coed RYLA Camp as counselor that was
co-sponsored by Districts 544 and 545 in Colorado in late July,
1987. Surprisingly, Mr. Wilkerson reported that the world did not
come to an end because of the coed factor.
Lest ye forget that District Governors and their spouses
are moral beings, be advised that they are impressed by delegations
that meet them at the airport, see their names in lights on hotel
marquees, and read their names in headlines in the local papers.
When Governor Self and Mary Anna drove into Seminole on August 27,
1987 for their official visit they noticed hundreds of American
flags lining the streets. Fearing they had scheduled their visit on
the wrong date, they were surprised to learn that the flags were in
their honor.
Governors
can also occupy dog houses. Governor Self, in his enthusiasm,
scheduled three official visits in one day. Lubbock Metro for
breakfast, Brownfield for lunch, and the Levelland clubs that
evening. On the way home late that night Mary Anna said, “I’ve had
it.” The Governor didn’t do that again.
Governor Self was assisted in the administration of
the District by the following club presidents and secretaries:
CLUBS PRESIDENTS SECRETARIES
Amarillo Jerome “Jerry” Huff Middleton Askew
Amarillo East John Boyd Herb McGregor
Amarillo South Don M. McCarty Jerry ermesmeyer
Amarillo West James C. Davis Bill Countiss
Andrews David B. Norris Craig Ansinec
Big Spring Keith Wiseman Hal L. Boyd
Big Spring Greater Steve Fraser Lee George
Borger Miles Mixon Gary Schneck
Brownfield Joe Sears Ed Pfeiffer
Canadian Bill J. Morgan J. J. Hoobler
Canyon William F. Tirey Randy L. Croslin
Childress Tommy Sims Mike Naylor
Dalhart James E. Garrison Barry Muller
Denver City Craig D. McPherson Johnny Proctor
Dimmitt Eddie Sutton Doug E. Ware
Dumas James L. Benson Ronnie Welch
Floydada Steven D. Hale J. M. Wilson, Jr.
Hereford Ike Stevens Steve
Wright
Kermit Jerry McGuire
Lane Nutt
Lamesa Wendell
Burnside E. C. Goodman, Jr.
Levelland Ted Holder W. L. Goble
Levelland Breakfast Terry Scott Bryson William T. Watson
Littlefield Roger Garms David Keithley, Jr.
Lockney Dan B. Smith C. L.
Mooney
Lubbock Danny Johnston
Bill A. Tarro
Greater Lubbock
Bill de Tournillon John Zwiacher
Lubbock Metro William Tinney Dennis Lauranzano
Lubbock Southwest Tommy Patterson Stan Williams
Memphis Hal Davis Henry Bradford
Midland John Williams Dan G. Teed
Midland West Paul T. Wurster Stanley Garrison
Monahans John Tatum Curtis Howard
Muleshoe Tommy Gunstream Robert Leopard
Odessa Larry Johnson Ray Cole
Odessa East Larry Davisson Thomas R. Ziegler
Odessa Greater Gene Ater Russ Kyler
O’Donnell David Smith Harold Hohn
Pampa Mike Ruff Paul Payne
Pampa Sunrise Blake Wilson Rich.Wilkerson Jr.
Panhandle Gerald Berry Don
Markham
Pecos Monte Kesey
Harold Elder
Perryton David
A. Landis Douglas W. Kile
Plainview Frank Curry Kenneth Halbleib
Post Robert L. Wall Robert L. Wall, Sr.
Ralls Kirk A. McLaughlin
Kelly Wing
Seagraves Daylan
Sellers Joe B. Key
Seminole
John Kildow John L. Shepherd
Shamrock Ken Wischkaemper Joe Hall
Slaton Coy Evans Ansil O’Neil
Snyder Lee McNair Frank M. Miller
Spearman Scott Beedy Jack T. McWhirter
Sweetwater Bill Clark Frank Grevelle
Tahoka Stanley M. Gill Ray D. Box
Tulia Jimmy R. McClendon Edon McClurg
October 22, 1987 was the date that the Lubbock Rotary
Club held its Inter-city meeting which had been a star in the crown
of Lubbock club and District 573 for many years. The arena was
packed by local and District Rotarians to hear Rotary International
President-Elect Royce Abbey make the main address of the evening.
Visiting dignitaries also included New Mexico’s District 552
Governor Neal Johnson and Sue and PDG Chino Moreno and Maria from
District 411 (Northern Mexico.) Sweetwater won the award for most
members in attendance from furtherest away.
Attendance champions for
the month of October, 1987 included 5 clubs with over 90%: Odessa
Greater (98%,) Shamrock (96%,) Canadian (96%,) Floydada (95%,) and
Levelland (93%.)
While
speaking of attendance, Governor Self and Mary Anna, along with a
number of our Past District Governors and spouses attended the three
day Zone 5 - 11 Institute in Arlington, Texas October 1 - 4. PDGs,
DGs, and DGNs from the six-state area were briefed and inspired
annually at these meetings regarding the programs of Rotary.
District 573 Rotarians
were proud to learn that Dan Smith, President of the Lockney Rotary
Club and his family were named “1987 Family of the Year” by the
Texas Farm Bureau. It was nice to learn that others recognized the
talents of our club members.
The District Extension Chairman, PDG Charles Beil reported in
November that Colorado City had been granted a provisional charter
for a new Rotary Club. PDG Beil was assisted in this undertaking by
Keith Wiseman, President of the Big Spring club and other Big Spring
Rotarians. On Feb. 23, 1988, a date that coincided with the 83rd
Anniversary of the founding of Rotary International, a charter for
the club was issued and a gala was held on March 17th, 1988. Larry
Cook was president of the club. Other officers included Robert
Ramage - President Elect; Fred Thompson - Vice President; Mike
Hemphill - Treasurer; Rex Thackerson - Sergeant-at-arms; and Don
Bennett, Gary Flock, Ray Mayo, and Jack Starr were the club’s
Directors. Sharleen Formby presented a Paul Harris Fellow to Mark
Piland in honor of PDG Marshall Formby. What a night!
On the international scene Becky Smith, Rotary Foundation
Scholar from Lubbock was reported back in the District in December,
1987 fresh from completing her year of graduate study in Buenos
Aires, Argentina. Jacqulyn Hohertz, sponsored by one of the Lubbock
clubs was studying journalism at Deakin University in Geelong,
Australia. A World Community Service project was reported by
Monahans club president, John Tatum. The club sponsored a school
lunch program for children in Palomas, Mexico.
Governor Self began his
year by stating a list of goals that he hoped to achieve. They
included serving personally as a resource for clubs, promoting
PolioPlus, increasing membership, adding a couple of clubs,
promoting the District Conference and Assembly, involving clubs in
the District projects of Youth Exchange, Group Study Exchange,
Scholarships and RYLA. Research of the records show that he not only
achieved these goals but exceeded them in most instances.
He appointed a talented
group of Rotarians to assist him. Dr. Robert Lindsey (Plainview) was
tapped to be his District Secretary, Ricky Riddle (Plainview) served
as District Treasurer, and Al Griggs (Lubbock) was selected as
Historian. Area Representatives included Tom Sheriff (Childress;)
Marshall Shelton (Tulia;) W. H. “Dub” Sheets (Plainview;) Bruce Peel
(Littlefield;) Robert Elliott (Spearman;) Robert Meyers (Perryton;)
Fred Chesser (Amarillo East;) Bob Capps (Lubbock;) Melvin Dutton
(O’Donnell;) W. Sam Glenney (Odessa;) Richard Ratliff (Monahans;)
Bud Powell (Denver City;) and Tim Farbrough (Sweetwater.)
District Committee
Chairmen named included PDG Jack Selby (Lubbock) - Vocational
Service; PDG J. Roy Wells (Lubbock) - Nominations; Jon Oden
(Amarillo) - Resolutions; Jerry Casstevens (Lubbock) - Diabetic
Camp; PDG Ralph McLaughlin (Big Spring) - PolioPlus; James Thomas
(Plainview) - Public Relations; PDG Charles Beil (Big Spring) -
Extension; Norman Huggins and David Morphis (Plainview) - District
Conference; and “Ron” Schwisow (Midland) - Free Enterprise.
PDG J. Davis Armistead
(Lubbock) chaired Club Service and was assisted by David Hutcheson
(Amarillo) - Membership Development; PDG Roy Ward (Mineral Wells) -
Rotary Information; Howard Welborn (Lubbock) - Club Bulletins; and
PDG Jimmy Willson (Floydada) - Attendance.
Community Service and
Rotaract was chaired by Troy Fraser (Big Spring.) He was assisted by
Tommy Sims (Childress) - Interact.
PDG Louis Rochester headed the International Service and
World Community Service committees with the able help of Richard
Damron (Amarillo) - Youth Exchange; PDG John R. Collard, Jr.
(Spearman) - Boys’ RYLA; and Rex Wilt (Amarillo) - Girls’ RYLA.
PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock) chaired the Rotary Foundation
Committee and was supported by Don Nelson (Pampa) - Group Study
Exchange; Dr. Harley Oberhelman (Lubbock) - Scholarships; PDG J. Roy
Wells (Lubbock) - Special Grants and 3-H; and PDG Jack Biscoe
(Midland) - Paul Harris Fellows.
February 6, 1988 was the date that a Rotary Information
Seminar was held in Amarillo. Club officers, board members, and
committee chairman were invited to assemble and learn more about
Rotary. Despite an uncooperative weather situation, 55 Rotarians
attended the event staged by Amarillo East’s Fred Chesser and crew.
Discussion leaders included PDG Davis Armistead (Lubbock,) Charles
Woodburn (Amarillo,) Frank Beaman (Odessa Greater,) and visiting
dignitary PDG Milt Morales, (Independence, Mo.) That evening the
District Paul Harris Fellow Dinner was held with PDG Milton Morales,
accompanied by his wife Virginia, providing the main address. John.
T. Boyd (Amarillo East) served as master of ceremonies and over 130
Rotarians and guests were in attendance.
Notable anniversaries
occurred in four clubs during March and April, 1988. Rotarians and
dignitaries gathered in Odessa on the evening of March 9th to
celebrate their 50 years of existence. Club President Larry Johnson
noted that their charter was issued on March 9, 1938 and that they
were sponsored by the Big Spring Rotary Club.
Club President Daylan
Sellers of Seagraves presided over his club’s 50th anniversary two
nights later on March 11th. Representatives from the Midland Rotary
Club were on hand and were recognized as the sponsoring club back in
1938.
Shamrock Club
President Ken Wischkaemper called his club to order on the evening
of April 7, 1988 for a bash that recognized their 50th anniversary.
Their charter was issued on April 7th, 1938 and their sponsoring
club was the Pampa Rotary Club. Shamrock Rotarians took their club
seriously. Attendance for the month of April was reported to be
97.4%. It makes one wonder which Rotarian missed a meeting.
Midland Rotarians
assembled on the evening of April 14, 1988 to recognize the granting
of their charter which occurred on March 9, 1928. Club president
John Williams reviewed the 60 years of the Midland’s clubs
accomplishments and recognized representatives of the Sweetwater
Rotary Club, their sponsoring club.
April 11, 1988 was the arrival date of the Group Study
Exchange Team from Distinct 217 (Central Belgium) to our District.
Team leader Paul Keymeulen and his wife Lieve led a group of four
women for a four week visit to different part of our District and
included: Annick De Wulf, Brigitte Bequet, Anne-Marie De Kimpe and
Francine Verhulst. This was the first all-women GSE in our District.
Our return visit to Belgium was scheduled for the Rotary year
1988-89 and was led by PDG Ralph McLaughlin and wife Billye and was
to be composed of entirely of women. Beth Duke, now a member of the
Amarillo West Rotary Club, was a member of that team.
April 12th was a significant date in District 573’s
history. The Midland Daybreak Rotary Club was issued a provisional
charter by R. I. and was sponsored by the Midland Rotary Club.
Extension Chairman PDG Charles Beil promoted the effort, PDG John
Seay lent his assistance, and on May 19th, 1988 Midland Club
president John Williams presented charter pins to the twenty-five
charter members of the club. Officers included Roger Hyatt -
President; Gary Pierce - Vice President; James Smith - Secretary;
Henry Herman - Treasurer; Charles Scott - Sergeant-at-arms; and
Bobby Burns, Richard Harvey, Jerry Larned, and Mike Rhoden as
Directors.
The District
Assembly was held in Brownfield on April 25, 1988. Club president
Joe Sears and members of the Brownfield club did a fine job of
hosting the assembly, a training program for incoming officers and
committee chairmen. Forty-four of the 54 clubs in the District were
in attendance which totaled 122 Rotarians. R.I. Director Basil
Marofer was the motivational speaker at the luncheon and performed
at his usual best.
The
District conference was held in Plainview May 6-8, 1988. Forty of
the 54 clubs in the District were represented at the conference.
Total registration was 323 Rotarians and guests. Governor Self was
exceptionally pleased with the program content and participants at
the conference. The President of Rotary International sent PDG Don
Foppiano and his wife Shirley to be his official representatives at
the conference. They came from Fresno, California and performed
their duties with distinction.
The international aspects of Rotary were prominently
displayed at the conference. The Group Study Exchange Team from
District 217 (Belgium) was led by Paul Keymeulen and one of the
statements that he made was remembered: “When I die, I may not go to
heaven, because I don’t know if they let Belgians in. If they don’t,
let me go to Texas, because Texas is as close as I’ve been.” The
Youth Exchange program was another conference highlight. Between 50
- 60 youth exchangers representing 15 countries were in attendance
and were the hit of the conference. Becky Smith, Foundation Scholar,
reported on her year of study in Argentina, the Boys’ and Girls’
RYLA participants thrilled the audience, and PDG Henry Pick from
District 552 (New Mexico) entertained and inspired the group with
his wit and humor.
PDG
Ralph McLaughlin gave his most impressive report on the PolioPlus
campaign and cited 15 clubs that had exceeded $200 per member in
donations. PDG Davis Armistead was chosen as Delegate and PDG Ralph
McLaughlin as alternate to the Rotary International Council on
Legislation scheduled to meet in Singapore in 1989. One of the best
knows Rotarians in the District was certified as District Governor
Nominee at the Conference, Mr. Bob “Tumbleweed Smith” Lewis of Big
Spring. He was slated to be Governor for the 1989 - 90 Rotary year.
Presidential Citation
Awards were issued to 14 clubs by Governor Self at the end of his
year. R.I. President Charles Keller had established an eight point
criteria for clubs to meet, with citations going to clubs that met
any five of them. Criteria included membership growth, new projects,
attendance at District Assembly and Conference, meeting PolioPlus
objective, increasing Foundation support, sponsoring a new club, and
sponsoring a new Interact or Rotaract club. The clubs meeting those
challenges included Amarillo, Amarillo South, Amarillo West, Big
Spring, Levelland, Littlefield, Greater Lubbock, Lubbock Metro,
Midland, Monahans, Greater Odessa, Pampa Sunrise, Spearman, and
Sweetwater.
PDG Charles
Beil, Chairman of a very active Extension Committee, reported that
organizational efforts were underway toward establishing the third
new Rotary Club during the 1987 - 1988 year. PDG Beil, working with
Special Representative Glenn Bickel and Frank Curry, President of
the Plainview Rotary Club, was pleased to announce that the
Plainview Sunrise Rotary Club was chartered on June 3, 1988. The 20
member club was headed by Gene Arnold - President; Whitelaw Hunt -
President-elect; Dana Segler - Vice President; Jerry Bratcher -
Secretary; Richard Green - Treasurer; Charles Baldwin -
Sergeant-at-arms; and David Teel, Jack L. Mars, Ricky M. Cross and
Floyd Evans - Directors.
The District 573 Summer Camp for children with diabetes was
held June 4 - 11 at the Plains Baptist Assembly. Governor Self was
please to report that sponsoring clubs jumped from 21 the previous
year to 37 during the 1987 - 1988 year. Fifty two children between
the ages of 6 to 16 attended and spent the week learning about their
disease, its management, and having fun.
Governor Self closed his
year by reporting that District membership had substantially
increased by a whopping 74 members, going from 2723 Rotarians at the
beginning of this year and ending with 2797 names on club rosters.
1988 - 1989
The month of July saw no abatement in turbulence
continuing in the Middle East, Northern Ireland, Central America,
Africa, and Eastern Europe. Business was good for the arms
manufacturers of the world. On the home front Republicans Bush and
Quayle campaigned against Democrats Dukakis and Benson. The Security
and Exchange Commission levied charges against Drexel Burnham
Lambert and its junk bond department head, Michael Milken, for
insider trading, and big-time business mergers continued when RJR
was acquired by a Wall Street Investment firm in a $25 billion deal,
while Kraft became part of Phillip Morris.
To no ones surprise
former Philippines President Marcos and his wife Imelda were
indicted by a U.S. grand jury on racketeering charges and the
Bush-Quayle ticket swept the November election. There was dancing in
the streets of Waxahachie when Texas was selected as the site of the
Superconducting Super Collider, but sadness prevailed on Dec. 21st
when a Pan Am 747 flying from London to New York blew apart over
Lockerbie, Scotland killing 270 people.
On January 7th, 1989 the World War II generation took
note of the death of Emperor Hirohito of Japan which ended a 62 year
reign. George Bush became the 41st president of the U.S. and F.W. de
Klerk took the reigns of leadership in South Africa. The thrift
industry in the U.S. was on the skids and Washington’s attempts to
rescue it profoundly changed the processes of economic life in
America. The U.S.S.R. continued to disintegrate. Russian troops were
pulled out of Afghanistan in February, 1989 while Soviet Premier
Gorbachev and Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze circled the globe
telling everyone what nice folks they were and touting the first
multicandidate parliamentary elections held since 1917. The block of
nations in Eastern Europe wanted the Russians out of their borders.
Former Texas Senator
John Tower went through the meat grinder of confirmation hearings
when named to be secretary of defense and was rejected by the U.S.
Senate on March 9th. Rep. Newt Gingrich (GA) was selected as the
House Republican whip, and Rain Man won an Academy Award as best
picture.
On March 24 the
oil tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground on a reef in the Gulf of Alaska,
causing a massive oil spill and a month later an explosion inside a
gun turret on the battleship Iowa killed 47 American sailors.
Comedienne Lucille Ball died at the age of 77 in April. Speaker of
the U.S. House of Representatives Jim Wright announced his
resignation after being charged with violating House rules regarding
the acceptance of gifts and outside income. In June, 1989 the world
took note of the death of Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini and deplored
China’s slaughter of scores of prodemocracy demonstrators at
Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
Rotary continued to march to the drum beat of what was right,
good, and proper. Royce Abbey of Greenvale, Victoria, Australia was
inaugurated as President of Rotary International on July 1, 1988 and
championed his theme “Put Life into Rotary - Your Life.” The
triennial Council on Legislation that met in Singapore voted to
allow all Rotary clubs to admit qualified women and Rotary Clubs
were chartered in Hungary and Poland after a 50 year absence.
Contributions to the Rotary Foundation Annual Programs Fund totaled
$23.2 million and PolioPlus recorded contributions of $58.2 million.
The Endowment grew to $4.7 million and the 250,000th Paul Harris
Fellow was designated. Educational scholarships awarded during
President Abbey’s year totaled 1,371. Near the end of his year the
R.I. Convention was held in Seoul, Korea and attracted 38,878
registrants.
District
573’s first officer for the year 1988 - 89 was a rancher from
Muleshoe, Texas, J. D. Cage. He and his wife Julie made official
visits to the following club leaders:
CLUB PRESIDENT SECRETARY
Amarillo Edward R. Scott, Jr. Middleton Askew
Amarillo East Walt Kelley Jack Owen
Amarillo South Richard L. Hanna Larry B. Turner
Amarillo West Bill Rice Gary Moore
Andrews Eddie McNett Robert L. Barber
Big Spring J. Hooper Sanders Hal L. Boyd
Big Spring Greater Corky Harris Daniel Cowan
Borger Gary Schneck Jack B. Wiggins
Brownfield Phillip Porter Wm. McGowan II
Canadian George L. Cook J. J. Hoobler
Canyon Mark Allen Randy Croslin
Childress Jay V. Morris Michael R. Naylor
Colorado City Larry G. Cook Kevin Wright
Dalhart C. L. Jones Barry Muller
Denver City Ed Rodgers Warren New
Dimmitt Henry L. Ramaekers Gary Ross
Dumas Danny Brookmole Ronnie D. Welch
Floydada Ed Henderson J. M. Willson, Jr.
Hereford Dennis Hicks Jimmy
Bell
Kermit Shirley V. Smith
Dan Desilets
Lamesa Tom C.
Anderson James R. Edwards
Levelland Carl L. Reed W. L. Goble
Levelland Breakfast Thomas M. Hesse William T. Watson
Littlefield Tom W. Sawyer David Keithley, Jr.
Lockney Paul Schacht Robert
McDonald
Lubbock Charles V.
Neil Whit Rix Victory
Greater
Lubbock Barry Orr Robert E. Vanslyke
Metropolitan Lubbock Dennis Lauranzano Tim Leslie
Southwest Lubbock Mike Cunningham Larry R. Davis
Memphis Henry M. Bradford James T. Clayton
Midland Billy Sewell Chap. Snodgrass
Midland Daybreak Roger A. Hyatt James G. Smith
Midland West Mike Dobey Jerry Crooker
Monahans Mike Fletcher Curtis Howard
Muleshoe George Nieman Ray Day
Odessa Bernard T. W. Sedate Raymond M. Cole
Odessa East Jim A. Brown Bob L. Gordon
Greater Odessa Don Blair James L. Butler
O’Donnell Tommy E. Woolam Harold C. Hohn
Pampa Jim Olsen Paul Payne
Pampa Sunrise Lee Cornelison Charles Williams
Panhandle Dale Gabel Don Markham
Pecos James M. Ivy Harold G. Elder
Perryton Joe R. LaMaster Bill Bailey
Plainview Rick Riddle Don Dickson
Plainview Sunrise Gene Arnold Jerry Bratcher
Post Victor Ashley Robert L. Wall, Sr.
Ralls Gene C. McLaughlin
Kirk McLaughlin
Seagraves
David Wilson Larry N. Daniel
Seminole Charles M. Opeil John L. Shepherd
Shamrock James C. Fling Joe B. Hall
Slaton Ansil O’Neil David J. Davis
Snyder Ralph Williamson Frank K. Miller
Spearman Troy Morris Jack T. McWhirter
Sweetwater Larry S. May Frank Grevelle
Tahoka Gregory L. Henley Clint Gardner
Tulia Ed Harris Eldon McClurg
Governor Cage selected a dedicated and hard working group
of Rotarians to conduct the work of Rotary throughout the District
during his year. Committee chairs included the following: Robert
Lepard (Muleshoe) - Secretary; Randy Fields (Muleshoe) - Treasurer;
and Curtis K. Shelburne (Muleshoe) - Historian. The Governor’s
Special Area Representatives were Roy Sparkman (Pampa,) Jack T.
McWhirter (Spearman,) Mike Bowles (Hereford,) W. H. Sheets
(Plainview,) Harvey Bass (Muleshoe,), Fred Chesser (Amarillo East,)
Bob Capps (Lubbock,) Melvin Dutton (O’Donnell,) Dick Sivalls
(Odessa,) Tim Fambrough (Sweetwater,) Bill Hubbs (Pecos,) and David
Schuler (Seminole.)
The
District Vocational Committee was chaired by PDG Jack Selby
(Lubbock;) PDG Ed Self (Plainview) oversaw Nominations; Jon Oden
(Amarillo) - Resolutions; Jerry Casstevens (Lubbock) - Diabetic
Camp; PDG Ralph McLaughlin - PolioPlus; W. L. Goble (Levelland) -
District Liability Insurance; John Dawson (Amarillo West) - Public
Relations; PDG Charles Beil (Big Spring) - Extension; Ron Bailey
(Lubbock) - Free Enterprise; PDG J. Davis Armistead (Lubbock) -
Council on Legislation; and PDG Ralph McLaughlin (Big Spring) -
Alternate Council on Legislation.
PDG Davis Armistead (Lubbock) headed the District Club
Service Committee and was assisted by John Boyd (Amarillo) -
Membership Development; John Elliott (Lubbock) - Rotary Information;
Olan Burrows (Muleshoe) - Club Bulletins; and Ted Holder (Levelland)
- Attendance. The area of Community Service was chaired by Troy
Fraser (Big Spring) who also headed Rotaract duties. Troy was
assisted by Tommy Sims (Childress) who promoted Interact.
The International
Service Committee was chaired by PDG Louis Rochester (Odessa) with
help from Richard Damron (Amarillo) who handled Youth Exchange. PDG
John R. Collard, Jr. (Spearman) was overall RYLA chairman and
doubled as chair of Boys’ RYLA. He was assisted by Rex Wilt
(Amarillo) who oversaw the operations of Girls’ RYLA.
The District Rotary
Foundation Committee was chaired by PVPRI Rex Webster (Lubbock.) His
sub-committee chairmen included Don Nelson (Pampa) - Group Study
Exchange; Harley Oberhelman (Lubbock) - Scholarships; PDG Burnett B.
Roberts (Levelland) - Special Grants and 3-H; and PDG Ralph
McLaughlin (Big Spring) - Paul Harris Fellows.
Official visits were
interrupted by visits to Boys’ RYLA (July 1 - 15) and Girls’ RYLA
(July 24 - 27,) meetings for young people that were held at Camp
Summer Life near Taos. As in past years, both the organizers and the
attendees stressed the importance and success of RYLA.
The great Lubbock
Inter-city meeting was held on the evening of October 10, 1988.
NBC’s Willard Scott was present during the reception and was
presented with a Paul Harris Fellow award. Dinner was followed by an
excellent speech by PDG Gerald Fisher from Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Rotarians from all over the District accepted the Lubbock Rotarian’s
invitation to join them on this special evening.
Governor Cage and Julie,
DGN Bob Lewis and Susan, PDG Rex Webster and Madge, PDG Ralph
McLaughlin and Billye, John R. Collard and Marjorie, PDG Charles
Beil and Joan, PDG Davis Armistead and Cora, and PDG Ed Self and
Mary Anna attended the Zone 5 - 11 Institute Sept. 29 - Oct. 2 in
Wichita Kansas where they met R.I. President Royce Abbey, Immediate
Past President Chuck Keller, and RIVP Basil Marhofer. Zone meetings
continued to draw the best of Rotary for training and motivation.
Returning home Governor Cage conducted a Rotary
Information Seminar in Lubbock for club officers. PDG Milton Morales
from Independence, Missouri was the seminar counselor.
One of the longest
running Vocation Service projects in the District was conducted by
the club in Sweetwater. Their Rural/Urban Party had been staged
annually for over 50 years. PDG Rig Edwards and club historian Davis
Clark described it as follows:
“According to our ‘unguaranteed’ records, it started on a
rather conservative basis back in the 1930’s with each club member
allowed to invite only one rural guest. The first year we had 49
guests and a speech by one of our club members. The second year
there were 57 guests and 57 club members. Originally we held it in
the fall but during WWII it was moved to the spring months where it
stayed. The guest list was expanded to include all farmers and
ranchers in the Sweetwater area, it became one of the club’s major
budgeted items, and the Rural/Urban Committee had to work like the
dickens. Programs originally were agriculture related but moved
toward entertainment in later years. During the 1950’s we had four
to five hundred guests, but the number of farms today is about 1/3
the number then. We still have a large number of guests and a larger
percentage of the rural population than ever. Club members strive to
make our guests welcome at this event, we feed them a good meal, and
see that they are entertained by the best. It is a great club
project. (Ed. Note: PDG Rig Edwards and Mary Emma, and PDG Woody
Pyeatt and Mildred had lots of experience in making folks welcome in
Sweetwater.)
In late
January, 1989, PDG Davis Armistead and wife Cora attended the
International Council on Legislation in Singapore. He reported that
the Council approved Proposed Enactment 89-54 which permitted all
Rotary Clubs to admit women. Amarillo East had already done that.
Three clubs celebrated
milestone anniversaries during the year. Mike Fletcher, President of
the Monahans club presided over their 50th anniversary celebration
on March 2nd. Tommy Woolam and fellow O’Donnell Rotarians marked
their 50th anniversary on April 10th, and Seminole held a bash on
their 50th anniversary on April 20th with club president Charles M.
Opeil presiding.
Governor Cage and DGN Lewis led many of the District’s in-coming
club presidents to the President Elect Training Seminar (PETS) in
Dallas on March 17-19. Three weeks later DGN Bob Lewis and wife
Susan journeyed to Phoenix, Arizona for the R.I. Assembly held April
8 - 16, 1989. It was originally scheduled for Acapulco, Mexico but
the Mexican government refused to permit Rotarians from South Africa
to enter the country so R.I. moved the Assembly to Phoenix. DGN
Lewis was immersed in Rotary for more than a week.
Governor Cage invited
the Youth Exchange students visiting the District to his ranch at
Muleshoe in April, 1989. Of the 22 students, 18 attended with their
host families and watched calves being branded and dehorned, then
went to the sand dunes for a hamburger cookout.
The District Assembly
was held in conjunction with the District Conference. The Assembly
Coordinator was Gary Moore (Amarillo West.) Governor Cage opened the
Assembly at the Harvey Hotel in Amarillo on Thursday morning, 9:00
A.M., May 4, 1989 and DGN Bob Lewis (Big Spring) and other District
Committee chairmen outlined their plans for the coming year before
the assembled incoming Rotary Club officers and club chairmen.
The District Conference
was hosted by the four Rotary Clubs in Amarillo and the Canyon
Rotary Club. The thirty-second Conference for the District convened
at the Harvey Hotel on Friday, May 5th, 1989. The Conference
planning committee included Charles Ashcraft (Amarillo) - Chairman;
Fred Chesser (Amarillo East) - Co-Chairman Chairman; Joe Don Parrott
(Amarillo West) - Treasurer; Mark Allen (Canyon) - Meeting Places,
Registration, Housing, and Transportation; Mark Simmons (Amarillo
South) - Decorations, Printing, and Exhibits; Doris Rogers (Amarillo
East) - Ladies Activities, Receptions, and Banquets; Andy Andreu
(Amarillo) - Promotion/Publicity, Awards and Prizes; Pete Minden
(Amarillo East) - Entertainment, Sports and Games; and Howard
Wilkerson (Canyon) - Sergeant-at Arms, Credentials, Resolutions, and
Necrology.
The
Conference opened with the Governor’s State of the District address,
introductions of the DGN Bob Lewis (Big Spring) and DGD Bill Hubbs
(Pecos,) a report by PDG Davis Armistead (Lubbock) on the Singapore
Council on Legislation, and World Community Service activities by
Jim Anderson (Amarillo East) and Shirley Smith (Kermit.) The Special
Representative of R.I. President Royce Abbey to the Conference was
PDG Jim Starr from Yuba City, California who was accompanied by his
wife Ila Mae. The afternoon was devoted to tours, golf, and fun and
games. That evening, David Gleason (Amarillo) was Master of
Ceremonies for “A Taste of Amarillo” at the top of the town, The
Amarillo Club.
Saturday
morning featured programs on fund raisers: Colorado City’s flag
rental presented by Robert Ramage, Borger’s Classic Car Show
described by Robert Sepulveda, and Perryton’s Christmas Gift and
Cherry Pie Auction detailed by Joe R. LaMaster. Community Service
projects were reported by Ralph Williamson (Snyder) as he described
their Neighborhood Sharing project and Larry May (Sweetwater) told
how their Rural-Urban Day worked. Fred Neslage (Pampa) provided the
details of how they indoctrinate new members into their club.
The noon luncheon was
hosted by Mike Bowles (Hereford) and featured Amarillo’s most famous
citizen, T. Boone Pickens of Mesa Petroleum, as the speaker. That
afternoon reports were given on the following District Projects:
Benefactors by PDG Charles Beil (Big Spring,) Scholarships by Dr.
Harley Oberhelman (Lubbock,) Group Study Exchange by George Fielding
(Lubbock,) Diabetic Camp by Jerry Casstevens (Southwest Lubbock,)
RYLA by PDG John R. Collard, Jr. (Spearman,) and Youth Exchange by
Richard Damron (Amarillo.) That evening everyone enjoyed a reception
at the Amarillo Civic Center, music by the Amarillo College Avanti
Strings, and a great speech by R. I. President Royce Abbey’s Special
Representative PDG James M. Starr.
The final program of the Conference was held Sunday
morning at the All Conference Breakfast. Governor Cage presided,
Curtis Shelburne (Muleshoe) was the speaker, Jon Oden (Amarillo)
presented the Conference resolutions, and everyone held hands and
sang Auld Lang Syne. There were 258 Rotarians who attended the
Conference and their guests boosted the total to almost 500
registrants.
The Rotary
Diabetic Camp was held in June, teaching diabetic children that they
can lead happy, normal lives when they follow good health practices.
Dr. Mike Bourgeois, Texas Tech Health Science Center physician, and
30 of his volunteer staff hosted 63 children with diabetes, aged 6 -
16.
On June 3rd, 1989
Governor Cage and Julie were hosting the District Conference
Committee at their ranch in Muleshoe. Everyone parked their cars at
Governor Cage’s home and went to the sand dunes on his ranch for a
cookout. While there a tornado struck the Cage’s home, destroying it
along with two cars of his guests. Governor Cage reported that when
he throws a party it really raises the roof.
Governor Cage reported a
balance of $28,912.53 in the District Treasury as of June 30, 1989.
He also reported that the District would be able to award one
scholarship in each of the following two years, that there were 18
Benefactors, 838 Paul Harris Fellows and 473 Sustaining Members of
the Rotary Foundation. Membership in the District totaled well over
2700 Rotarians.
1989 -
1990
Every Rotary year
has been accompanied by changes taking place in the world’s
governments, alliances, and international relationships and this was
a banner year for those sorts of things. Perhaps the most dramatic
shift occurred in the Communist-bloc countries of Eastern Europe.
Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and East Germany established new
governments with non-communist themes. The Berlin wall tumbled in
November, 1989, and suddenly our mortal Russian enemies became our
poor, destitute friends in need. In other areas, the strong grip of
apartheid in South Africa loosened a bit and several Central
American countries started waging peace in their area. President
Bush sent more troops to Panama to oust Panamanian General Manuel
Noriega in late December, launched a war on drugs, called for a
stepped-up space effort, and signed a record $166 billion bailout of
the U.S. savings and loan industry. The F.B.I. stung 46 Chicago
Mercantile futures traders following a two year undercover
operation.
Noted
individuals that made the news during this year included U.S. Rep.
Mickey Leland (D-TX) who was killed when his airplane hit a mountain
in Ethiopia, Pete Rose who was banned from baseball for betting on
the game, Governor Douglas Wilder of Virginia, who became the first
black elected governor in the U.S., and basketball great Kareem
Abdul Jabbar and tennis ace Chris Evert, who retired gracefully from
their respective courts. Nelson Mandela, South African black
nationalist leader in prison for 27 years, was freed. Buster Douglas
knocked out Mike Tyson, Jessica Tandy won an Oscar for her role in
“Driving Miss Daisy,” and the crew of the space shuttle Discovery
put the near-sighted Hubble Space Telescope in an orbit 381 miles
above Earth. President Bush broke his “read-my-lips” pledge on June
26, 1990 when he agreed with Congress that tax revenue increases
were necessary to reduce the budget deficit.
While politics as usual
was going on worldwide, Rotary as usual was in full swing. Hugh M.
Archer, a member of the Rotary Club of Dearborn, Michigan, was
installed as President of Rotary International on July 1, 1989. His
popular theme was “Enjoy Rotary.” During his year the 25,000th
Rotary club was chartered in Mexico and the Rotary Clubs of Moscow,
Russia, and Prague, Czechoslovakia were established. President
Archer immediately went to work using the resources of Rotary to
improve East-West relations.
During his year contributions to the Rotary Foundation Annual
Programs Fund totaled $31.4 million and PolioPlus grew by an
additional $31.5 million. The Endowment totaled $5.8 million and
1,204 ambassadorial scholarships were awarded that year. The total
number of Rotary clubs increased to 25,163 and had membership of
1,121,230. President Archer held his convention in Portland, Oregon
and it was attended by 21,053 Rotarians and guests.
Joining President Archer
as an officer in Rotary International was District 573’s most famous
Rotarian, Bob “Tumbleweed Smith” Lewis, who was installed as
Governor of the District effective July 1, 1989. Governor Lewis was
prepared to lead the District, having been an active Rotarian for 12
years. He joined Rotary in 1978 and served the Big Spring Rotary
Club in many capacities before becoming its president in 1983 - 84.
He was well acquainted with Rotarians all over the District because
of his numerous speaking engagements, his membership on the District
Public Relations Committee, and his involvement in RYLA. His
training as Governor Nominee was certainly not lacking for he
attended the District Institute held in Lubbock, all District
Conferences beginning in 1984 plus the one in Amarillo in 1989,
P.E.T.S in Dallas, the Zone 5 - 11 meeting held in Wichita, Kansas,
the week-long International Assembly in Phoenix, and the
International Conference in Seoul, Korea. He married Susan Zack of
Big Spring. Susan accompanied him on his travels and was an active
contributor to the causes of Rotary. Susan authored a speech
entitled “Let There Be Peace” which surpassed her expectations where
demand was concerned. In the speech she told of their experiences on
Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, related later in this narrative.
She was asked on many occasions to deliver the speech at RYLA,
before civic groups and schools. The speech merited a George
Washington Honor Medal from Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. The
award was presented to her at a special and moving ceremony by Big
Spring Club President Cheryl Sparks in November, 1993. Susan was
involved in the development of Girls’ RYLA and remained active in
it. Susan and Governor Lewis raised two sons, Kevin and B.Z.
Hardly anyone called Governor Lewis ‘Governor Lewis.’ He
was known as ‘Tumbleweed Smith.’ He came by the name through his
radio program, which featured people with interesting stories to
tell. The Sound of Texas was syndicated throughout the state of
Texas. He owned an ad agency and a production company, which
produced radio and television commercials, films and slide-tape
presentations.
He held a
lectureship in Broadcasting, which began in 1974 at the University
of Texas of the Permian Basin. He earned a B.A. degree in English
from Baylor University and a M.A. degree from the prestigious School
of Journalism at the University of Missouri.
Governor Lewis’ talents
were recognized by numerous awards that he was granted including the
Governor’s Award for Tourism, The West Texas Chamber of Commerce
Cultural Achievement Award, Two Freedoms Foundation Awards and two
CLIO Awards for excellence worldwide in commercial production. He
received the “Best Program” award from Western Public Radio of San
Francisco and has collected awards from 28 States for news work. He
had numerous publications in every type of media in existence.
Civic affairs included
being an Adviser for the Texas Commission on the Arts. He served as
a board member on the Ranching Heritage Center and worked with the
Convention and Visitors Committee, Texas Chamber of Commerce.
Governor Lewis related
in his first newsletter that while in Seoul at the 1989 Rotary
International Convention he encountered several other Rotarians and
spouses from the District: Doyle and Doris Moore of Amarillo, PDG
Charles and Joan Beil and Hayes and Dorothy Stripling of Big Spring,
Ed and Sandra Pfeiffer of Brownfield, and Jim and Sandy Shute, David
and Gayland Cobb and Merle and Connie Blosser, all of Lubbock. After
the Convention ended the three couples from Big Spring went to
China, eventually visiting Tiananmen Square in Beijing where pro
democracy demonstrations had been going on for weeks. Governor
Lewis, never missing an opportunity for a story, visited with
students, signed autographs, presented a Texas flag to a student as
a show of support, was lauded over a loud speaker as a leader of
Texans behind their movement, and received a storm of applause from
the protesting students. No doubt he was probably noticed by the
Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, a risky position in China
at the time. Tragedy struck Tiananmen Square one day after the group
from Big Spring returned to their homes. The Chinese Army sent their
tanks and guns to Tiananmen Square killing scores upon scores of
students in an act of suppression all too typical of tyrannical
leadership. Governor Lewis stated that the freedom taken so much for
granted by many Americans received special attention by the three
couples from Big Spring who were in China such a brief time ago.
Some of the funds
raisers reported in the District included Colorado City’s special
events flag rental, Perryton’s Cherry Pie auction, Borger’s Classic
Car show, Snyder’s Neighbor Sharing Program that repairs homes for
people needing help, Andrews’ Chili Supper, and Sweetwater’s
Rural/Urban Day for farmers and ranchers in the area.
Boys’ RYLA was held at
Camp Summer-Life near Taos July 9-13, 1989 and Girls’ RYLA was held
at the same location two weeks later July 23-28. Governor Lewis and
Susan attended both and reported great work being done by the
volunteers running the programs.
Four young ladies who were members of the Group Study
Exchange Team that went to Belgium in April - May, 1989 were
reported back in the District and ready to report on their
adventure. They were Robin Bostic of Lubbock, Beth Duke of Amarillo,
and Alice Haynes and Denise Crenwelge of Big Spring.
Governor Lewis began his
official club visits early in July, 1989, calling on 57 Rotary Clubs
and working with the following leadership in each club:
CLUB PRESIDENT SECRETARY
Amarillo Doyle Moore Middleton Askew
Amarillo South Jerry L. Hermesmeyer Dwayne Gresham
Amarillo East Herb McGregor Eldon Davidson
Amarillo West Bill Countiss Ken McCarty
Andrews Craig Ancinel Larry Morris
Greater Big Spring Murray Murphy Max W. Webb
Big Spring Bob E. Riley Hal Boyd
Borger Jeff Turner Pat O’Daniel
Canadian Dr. Mike King Randy L. Croslin
Childress Dr. H. P. Olay Mike Naylor
Colorado City Robert Ramage Kevin L. Wright
Dalhart Gregg Duggan Kelly Ferguson
Denver City Johnny L. Proctor Jim D. Millsap
Dimmitt Danny Rice Scotty Abbott
Dumas K. Erich Schaefer Ronnie D. Welch
Floydada Percy Edwards J, M. Willson, Jr.
Hereford Steven Wright
Roland Saul
Kermit Mike Ramos
Dan Desilets
Lamesa Wayne C.
Smith Dick Edwards
Levelland
Joe Tubb Hugh L. Bradley
Levelland Breakfast Chris Roberts Guy Miles
Littlefield Jim Bone David Keithley, Jr.
Lockney Owen Thornton Robert
McDonald
Greater Lubbock Jim
Shute Stan Weaver
Lubbock C.
David Cobb Danny D. McLarty
Southwest Lubbock Merle Blosser David L. Parsons
Metropolitan Lubbock Phillip Houchin Kirk Thomas
Memphis Dr. Ronald E. Berry James T. Clayton
Midland West Ralph A. Gates Steve H. Sparkman
Midland Ronald C. Schwisow Chap. Snodgrass
Midland Daybreak Richard Harvey James Smith
Monahans Lowell McDaniel Tom Swindle
Muleshoe Terry J. Hutto Bret McCasland
Odessa Chuck Hornung Raymond M. Cole
Greater Odessa H. Warren Gardner Paul R. Petterson
Odessa East John V. Long Bob Gordon
O’Donnell Roy W. Willis Truett Hodnett
Pampa Robert K. Williams, Jr. Paul Payne
Pampa Sunrise Charles J. Williams Joe Martinez
Panhandle Douglas A. Harvey Don L. Markham
Pecos John Gibson Harold G. Elder
Perryton Robert Holland III Rich. Lamberson
Plainview David R. Morphis David R. DeBusk
Plainview Sunrise Whitelaw Hunt Jerry Bratcher
Post Charles Hardin Robert Wall
Ralls Kelly Wing Howard Hayes
Seagraves Jon Key Bill Perkins
Seminole Melvin Kinnison John Shepherd
Shamrock Boyd Williams Joe B. Hall
Slaton David J. Davis Kevin R. Kern
Snyder Eddie Johnson Frank M. Miller
Spearman Milton R. Naylor Frank Grevelle
Tahoka Ray Don Box Clinton J. Gardner
Tulia Wayne Elliston Blake Goldston
Rotarians worldwide were saddened to learn on Sept. 1,
1989 of the death of PVPRI Rex Webster of Lubbock. He served his
family, community, church, Rotary Club, District 573 and Rotary
International in ways that exemplified “Service Above Self.” His
obituary was carried in the Governor’s Sept. newsletter and the
October issue of The Rotarian.
The November 17, 1989 Paul Harris Dinner held at the Lubbock
Country Club was dedicated to Rex’s memory and the featured speaker
was Past Director Mike Pedrick of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Governor Lewis
reported that the District’s Rotary Foundation goal for the year was
$89,000 and that $41,000 had been collected. He reported 23 new
Benefactors, 31 new Paul Harris Fellows, one of who was his wife
Susan, 850 total Paul Harris Fellows, and 500 Sustaining Members in
the District.
Jubilation
returned to the District when Rotary International reported that PDG
Ralph McLaughlin of Big Spring was selected a director of R.I. for
the years 1991-93. Competition for one of the fourteen directorships
comes from Past District Governors in 25 districts covering 8
states. PDG McLaughlin would represent Zones V & 11.
Governor Lewis selected
a stellar group of Rotarians to carry out the work of Rotary in the
District during his year. Key responsibilities went to three Big
Spring members: Carl Bradley got the job of District Treasurer,
Sonny Choate agreed to serve as District Secretary, and Tommy
Churchwell became the District Historian. PDG J. D. Cage (Muleshoe)
handled Nominations, Jon Oden (Amarillo) took care of Resolutions,
and Jerry Casstevens (Southwest Lubbock) did his usual good job of
looking after the Diabetic Camp. PDG and Incoming Director of R.I.
Ralph McLaughlin (Big Spring) continued to chair PolioPlus and W. L.
Goble (Levelland) provided District Liability Insurance. John Dawson
(Amarillo West) chaired Public Relations, PDG Charles Beil (Big
Spring) continued as Extension chairman, Ron Bailey (Lubbock) became
the head of District Free Enterprise, and PDG John R. Collard, Jr.
(Spearman) continued to serve as RYLA head.
The District Club
Service Committee was chaired by PDG J. Davis Armistead (Lubbock)
and he was assisted by Ansil O’Neil (Slaton) - Membership
Development; John Elliot (Lubbock) - Rotary Information; Howard
Welborn (Lubbock) - Club Bulletins; and Ted Holder (Levelland) -
Attendance. PDG Jack Selby (Lubbock) chaired the Vocational Service
Committee and Troy Fraser (Big Spring) chaired Community Service,
assisted by Tommy Sims (Childress).
PDG Louis Rochester (Odessa) headed the International
Service Committee and personally worked on World Community Service.
He was assisted by Richard Damron (Amarillo) who looked after the
Youth Exchange program.
PDG, PDRI, and PVPRI Rex Webster agreed to chair the Rotary
Foundation Committee in his last year of life. He was assisted by
George Fielding (Lubbock) -Group Study Exchange; PDG Burnett Roberts
(Levelland) - Special Grants and 3-H; PDG Edward Self (Plainview) -
Paul Harris Fellows; and Dr. Harley Oberhelman (Lubbock) -
Scholarships.
Governor
Lewis chose some outstanding Rotarians to be his Special
Representatives to area clubs. They included Lee Cornelison (Pampa,)
Jack T. McWhirter (Spearman,) Jack Thompson (Dimmitt,) Gene
McLaughlin (Ralls,) Ted Holder (Levelland,) Jim Cook (Amarillo
West,) Bill de Tournillon (Lubbock,) Joe Sears (Brownfield,) Larry
Johnson (Odessa,) Jerry Worthy ( Big Spring,) John Tatum (Monahans,)
and David Shuler (Seminole.)
On January 4th, 1990 Governor Lewis addressed the Perryton
Rotary Club on their 50th Anniversary. It was a gala affair at the
Country Club, called to order by club president Robert Holland III
and was complete with corsages, boutonnieres, and a French Youth
Exchange student, Oliver Dietrich, playing classical music on the
piano. Two charter members were present: Walter LaMaster and Dan
Archer.
Sharleen Formby
struck again. Sharleen, widow of PDG Marshall Formby (Plainview)
made Robin Bass, daughter of Rex and Madge Webster, a Paul Harris
Fellow in January, 1990.
On the evening of February 22nd the Rotary Clubs of Odessa
and Midland held a joint meeting to exchange ideas on how to promote
U.T. Permian from an upper level University to a four year
institution. The room was filled with movers and shakers of the
first order that liked the joint-club approach to this matter.
Rotary International
held its International Assembly for in-coming District Governors in
Dallas March 6 - 14, 1990. DGN Bill Hubbs (Pecos) and wife Pat were
in attendance. Governor Lewis was a participant and told the 484
assembled DGNs and leaders of Rotary from around the world of the
RYLA programs in District 573.
The President Elect Training Seminar, PETS, was hosted by the
Midland Clubs on March 16-18, 1990. PDG Ralph McLaughlin chaired the
affair, a massive job of selecting faculty, encouraging the 500
in-coming presidents in the Texas Districts to attend, and managing
the myriad details that accompany such a meeting. District 573
Rotarians who were selected to be on the program included Governor
Lewis, PDG J. D. Cage (Muleshoe,) PDG Ed Self (Plainview,) PDG John
Tyler (Houston, although we still claim him,) PDG John R. Collard,
Jr. (Spearman,) PDG Rig Edwards (Sweetwater,) PDG Ed Schmidt
(Odessa,) PDG Jack Selby (Lubbock,) PDG Charles Beil (Big Spring,)
DGN Bill Hubbs (Pecos,) PDG John Seay (Midland,) Gary Moore
(Amarillo West,) Jim Weaver (Big Spring,) Ron Schwisow (Midland,)
and PDG Louis Rochester (Odessa.) Susan Lewis and Billye McLaughlin,
both from Big Spring, conducted the Spouses Seminar. A booklet
compiled by Billye McLaughlin was used and was entitled, “Enjoy
Rotary: A Compilation of Things Your Spouse Knows About Rotary But
Never Tells You.” PETS was such a success that it became the envy of
the Rotary world.
During
the 1989-90 Rotary year, the Rotary Club of Midland consummated a
World Community Service project with the Rotary Juarez Industrial
Club. Midland club president Ron Schwisow and club director Susan
Snelson led the club in obtaining over 950 upper grade desks and 300
grade school desks and chairs. These were sent to the Rotary Club in
Juarez for distribution in outlying colonia schools. The Midland
club joined other clubs in the District with long standing projects
in Mexico, notably Andrews, Levelland, and Kermit. Jim Millsap,
secretary of the Denver City Rotary Club reported that his club was
involved with the San Carlos Rotary Club in Guaymas, Mexico,
furnishing between 50 - 75 school desks for distribution in that
area.
Governor Lewis
convened the Thirty-Second District Conference on April 20, 1990 at
the Inn of the Mountain Gods, Ruidoso, NM. PDG Louis Rochester
(Odessa), and Donivan Williams (Odessa) worked with 21 committees
and over 75 Rotarians during the better part of the Rotary year
putting the conference together. Festivities, Rotary information,
and fellowship began on Thursday evening, April 19th with incoming
presidents and spouses visiting with DGN Bill Hubbs (Pecos) and Pat.
Friday was filled with a major address given by Margaret Keys,
speaking expert from Austin and supporter of Girls’ RYLA, who urged
the audience to get out of their “comfort zone” and do meaningful
things. A paper airplane flying contest was held, song leader Larry
Johnson unveiled the song “Enjoy Rotary,” and delegates got in the
mood for Rotary. Golfing, shopping, and sight seeing were pursued
that afternoon and a western party and barbecue was held at the
Flying J Ranch that evening, complete with an old fashioned
shoot-out.
The President
of Rotary International sent PDG L. T. White (Sherman, Texas) and
Patsy to the Conference as his special representative. PDG White,
immediate past chairman of PETS, retired school administrator, and
Rotarian of long standing was at his motivational best at the
conference.
Saturday
plenary sessions were filled with reports of club and district
projects, Carl Bradley (Big Spring) reported the District in solid
financial shape, and PDG J. D. Cage announced the selection of Dr.
Jim Cook (Amarillo West) as the choice for Governor for 1991-92. W.
L. Goble (Levelland) was named Outstanding Rotarian of the year, Big
Spring was cited for having the most new members present, Odessa had
the most members at the conference, and the O’Donnell club was
awarded a prize for having the largest percentage increase in
membership. Perryton was named the Outstanding Club of the Year. GSE
chairman George Fielding (Lubbock) gave an update on the forthcoming
GSE trip to Paraguay and Argentina and announced that PDG Charles
Beil was named Team leader. Richard and Leslie Damron (Amarillo)
were recognized for their 12 years of contributions to the District
Youth Exchange program.
Governor Lewis entertained the crowd on Saturday evening with his
recordings of Rotarian’s voices collected during his year. Dr.
Marvin Baker (Levelland) won the big door prize that evening, two
American Airline tickets to anywhere they fly.
The conference closed
Sunday morning with a presentation delivered by Dr. Robert
Rothstein, Dean of Admissions at UTPB in Odessa, an expert in child
behavior, who suggested raising children by ignoring the behavior
you don’t like and rewarding the behavior you do like.
Governor Lewis reported
that 334 Rotarians and guests attended the Conference and that 43 of
the clubs in the District were represented. He declared the
conference to be a huge success.
The District Assembly was held May 19, 1990 and was
hosted by President Roy W. Willis and other members of the O’Donnell
club. Presenters included Governor Lewis, DGN Hubbs (Pecos,) Gary
Moore (Amarillo,) Harold Elder (Pecos,) PDG Ralph McLaughlin (Big
Spring,) PDG Charles Beil (Big Spring,) Stan Smith (Odessa,) Lee
George (Greater Big Spring,) Tommy Patterson (Lubbock,) PDG John R.
Collard Jr. (Spearman,) PDG J. D. Cage (Muleshoe,) and PDG Ed Self
(Plainview.) They met with incoming club officers and committee
chairmen in a planning session for the year 1990-91.
The Diabetic Camp was held near Floydada June 9 - 16 and
was attended by 40 - 50 diabetic youngsters. Expertise was provided
each year by the Department of Pediatrics, Texas Tech Medical
School. Jerry Casstevens and Tommy Patterson, both from Lubbock,
continued to provide leadership for the program.
At the beginning of the
year Governor Lewis announced a goal of raising $89,000 for Rotary
Foundation programs. Near the end of his year he reported over
$123,000 had been donated.
The Rotary International Convention was held June 24 - 27,
1990 in Portland, Oregon. Not only was District 573 well represented
at the convention, but it was well represented on the program as
well. Governor Lewis was the featured program at the Texas Breakfast
held on the morning of June 25th. On July 1, 1990 PDG Lewis and wife
Susan, back home in Big Spring, heaved a great sigh of relief.
CHAPTER VIII
Thoughts on Women and Rotary,
World Community Service,
and Apples
1990 -
1991
Communism was
hitting the skids and Gorbachev wanted to be everyone’s best friend.
Some old enemies were switching sides but the Middle East continued
to be very dependable for creating turmoil. On August 17, 1990 Iraq
seized control of Kuwait and the posturing of nations and the U.N.
began. That wasn’t the only trouble spot, however. Several Soviet
Republics voiced their desire to be independent from the USSR,
Marion Barry, Mayor of Washington, D.C., was convicted on a drug
charge and violence was renewed in South Africa.
Bright spots appeared in
some areas during the fall of 1990. The Supreme Soviet passed a new
law guaranteeing freedom of religion, East and West Germany were
rejoined, and Gorbachev won a Nobel Peace Prize. General Motors
created the Saturn Corporation, its first new division since
acquiring Chevrolet in 1918. The U.S. Senate entertained the news
media with its ethics hearings known as “the Keating five,” trying
to determine whether five Senators exerted undue influence on behalf
of Charles Keating, a savings and loan mogul.
In late November John
Majors replaced Margaret Thatcher as Britain’s prime minister and
the U.N. gave Saddam Hussein until Jan. 15th to get out of Kuwait.
Lech Walesa was elected President of Poland in December.
The new year began with
a mini-war. On Jan. 16th, an international force led by the U.S.
began air and missile attacks against Iraq and Saddam Hussein ran
for cover. President Bush shut the war down on Feb. 27th, leaving
Hussein in power in Iraq. That same day the Senate Ethics Committee
announced that the Keating Five had exercised misconduct, created an
appearance of impropriety, and used poor judgment.
The Los Angeles Police
Department got some unwanted publicity when four of its officers
were filmed beating motorist Rodney King. Yugoslavia began to
self-destruct when leaders were unable to reconcile differences of
who should run what. Gorbachev made a visit to South Korea that
angered Russia’s old ally, North Korea, but that was the least of
his worries. The USSR was in political and economic disarray. Food
was scarce, shortages of everything shut down much of its production
of goods, and Boris Yeltsin was elected Executive President of the
USSR’s Russian Republic. In the Philippines Mount Pinatubo volcano
erupted causing the evacuation of Americans from nearby Clark Air
Force Base.
Rotary
continued to be a positive source of peace and good will. Paulo V.C.
Costa was chosen to be Rotary International’s President. He was
installed on July 1, 1990 and was instrumental in getting the Rotary
Peace Programs granted official program status. President Costa was
from Santos, Brazil and championed his theme for the year “Honor
Rotary with Faith and Enthusiasm.” Another program was started,
“Preserve Plant Earth,” and more than 2,000 Rotary Clubs undertook
environmental projects. Awards were presented to Rotary
International for the production of its environmental video, We Are
the Guardians.
Contributions to the Rotary Foundation Annual Programs fund totaled
$36.7 million and PolioPlus attracted $11.9 million. The Endowment
grew to $6.5 million and 960 ambassadorial scholarships were
offered. President Costa held his convention in Mexico City and
attracted 15,638 Rotarians and guests. Worldwide there were 25,582
Rotary clubs with 1,143,296 members at the end of this Rotary year.
Rotary in District 573
continued to enjoy top talent in its leadership. Bill Hubbs of the
Pecos Rotary Club assumed the governorship on July 1, 1990 and
applied his considerable interests and expertise to the affairs of
the District. Governor Hubbs was reared in Pecos, attended Texas
A&M, Tarleton, and Sul Ross Universities. He married a beautiful
princess, Patricia Enger. Pat was born in Seattle, and lived in
Alaska and Arkansas before moving to Pecos where she met Bill. It
was obvious that she was a child bride. Together Pat and Governor
Hubbs raised three sons. His military service was in the navy in
Korea, he was a three term mayor of Pecos, and a member of the
Baptist Church. A rather interesting hobby centered around a P51
Mustang he acquired in 1969.
Governor Hubbs business interests included radio
broadcasting, ranching, farming, real estate development, management
and sales, gas and oil production, and commercial water sales.
His civic
responsibilities were quite lengthy. Some of his more notable
contributions included many years service with the Pecos Chamber of
Commerce (president ‘76,) the Pecos Rodeo & Fair Association
(president ‘64-’67,) Pecos Little League (past president,) United
Fund (director,) Salvation Army (director,) the Baptist Geriatric
Hospital Center Complex in San Angelo (trustee,) West of the Pecos
Museum (trustee,) Boy Scouts of American (district director,) and
the Texas Municipal League (president ‘85.) The list goes on and on.
Governor Hubbs’
experience with Rotary dates back to his early childhood. In 1940
when he was 7 years old and his father, Barney, was president of the
Pecos Rotary club he went to the Rotary International Convention in
Havana, Cuba where he promptly got the measles, was attended by a
physician from El Paso, and hid out to keep authorities from
quarantining the hotel. Governor Hubbs joined the Pecos Rotary club
in 1957 and served as its president in 1971 - 72. He was selected to
be a Special Representative by Governor J. D. Cage in 1988 - 89 and
became District Governor Nominee the following year. It was a busy
time of preparation for the governorship. Pat Hubbs dutifully
accompanied the Governor Nominee on his travels. During 1989 - 1990
they visited both RYLA Camps, the Diabetic Camp, attended the
District Paul Harris Dinner, and went to the Zone 5-11 meeting in
January, 1990 held in Corpus Christi, Texas. DGN Hubbs attended the
week long Rotary International Assembly held in Dallas in March,
presented a program at the PETS meeting held in Midland in March,
joined Rotarians at the District Conference at Ruidoso in April,
helped with the District Institute held in O’Donnell in May, and
attended the Rotary International Convention in Portland, Oregon in
June. When he was inaugurated as District Governor on July 1, 1990
he and Pat really started to travel.
Our District’s first female president was installed
this year. She was Karen Houchin, president of the Ralls Rotary
Club. President Houchin was an attorney practicing in Crosby,
Dickens, and Floyd Counties.
Governor Hubbs and Pat visited both of the RYLA camps held in
the cool mountains of New Mexico near Taos in July, 1990. At Boys’
RLA there were 83 young men and an attendant host of Rotarians from
the District. At Girls’ RYLA 71 young ladies were treated to “the
best” District 573 had to offer. Both camps were deemed to be
successful by those who spent the hours organizing them.
Ted Holder, Orlo Sundre,
and John Garcia, members of the Levelland Rotary Club were honored
early in the year by their Chamber of Commerce. They were named
Ambassadors of the month for their efforts of collecting and
delivering clothing to an orphanage in Mexico.
Scott Foster, president
of the Denver City Rotary Club described his club’s World Community
Service project in the Governor’s January 1991 newsletter. The
Denver City club contacted the San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico concerning
a vocational school being built there, the first in Mexico. Help was
needed to equip it. Denver City Rotarians collected school desks,
computers, and typewriters, put them on a trailer, tarped it, and
President Foster, Secretary Larry Holder, and President Elect Jim
Millsap headed for Mexico. They almost didn’t get the “contraband”
out of the U.S. Then they almost didn’t get it into Mexico, but
after three days they finally succeeded. Jim Millsap’s narrative of
the project made interesting reading. It makes one wonder if bribery
doesn’t work anymore.
Official visits to the District’s 56 clubs began in early July,
1990. Governor Hubbs worked with the following club officers during
those visits:
CLUBS
PRESIDENTS SECRETARIES
Amarillo George Sell Middleton Askew
Amarillo South Dwayne R. Gresham Victor B. Glenn
Amarillo East Jack Owen Herbert McGregor
Amarillo West Gary Moore Garet von Netzer
Andrews Bob Barber Calvert Shortes
Greater Big Spring Lee George Gene Piercefield
Big Spring James T. Weaver Ed Benz
Brownfield William J. McGowan II Robert B. Dumas
Canadian Marlin Marcum J. J. Hoobler
Canyon Kevin Raef Randy L. Croslin
Childress Larry Norton Mike Naylor
Colorado City Don Wood Kevin L. Wright
Dalhart Phil Davis John Plunk
Denver City Scott Foster Larry Holock
Dimmitt Robert Jones Paul
Garcia
Dumas Ronnie Welch Jim
Phillips
Floydada Bill Hardin
J. M. Willson, Jr.
Hereford
Wes Gulley Joan McPherson
Kermit Chuck Alderson Donelle Edwards
Lamesa E. C. Goodman, Jr. James R. Edwards
Levelland W. L. Goble Buford A. Duff
Levelland Breakfast Bill Powell Guy Miles
Littlefield Terry Gunn David A. Keithley
Lockney Jerry P. Cooper Robert McDonald
Greater Lubbock Sammy Biggers Bob Strange
Lubbock George M. Brewer Danny D. McLarty
Southwest Lubbock David Seim Ray. McNeice, Jr.
Metropolitan Lubbock Larry
W. White Kenneth Condray
Memphis Donny Spicer James T. Clayton
Midland West Gary Baker Scott F. Farris
Midland Thomas E. Segulja James D. Ross
Midland Daybreak John K. Schmidt James G. Smith
Monahans Curtis Howard Tom Swindle
Muleshoe Dr. Bruce Purdy Bert McCasland
Odessa Stan Smith Raymond M. Cole
Greater Odessa James L. Butler Jack W. Hampton
Odessa East Jim D. Moore John V. Long
O’Donnell Harold C. Hohn C. Truett Hodnett
Pampa Dr. Harry D. Griffith L. Paul Payne
Pampa Sunrise _________________ _______________
Panhandle Charles A. Gill Don L. Markham
Pecos Ken W. Winkles, Jr. Stephen A. Peters
Perryton William B. Bailey Edgar L. Womble
Plainview Ken Halbleib Tiffin Wortham
Plainview Sunrise Jerry Bratcher Richard Green
Post John E. Strubhart Jagdish D. Patel
Ralls Karen Houchin Howard Hayes
Seagraves Bill Perkins Don Giddens
Seminole Gary Dugger James Satterwhite
Shamrock Don Schaef Joe B. Hall
Slaton Joe Sentell Frank M. Miller
Spearman Eddie D. Gage J. T. McWhirter
Sweetwater Richard A. Bowman Frank C. Grevelle
Tahoka Gary McCord Clint Gardner
Tulia Eldon McClurg Blake Goldston
Lee George (Big Spring) announced that the District Youth
Exchange Program had sent three students to Europe: Scott Wheatley
(Brownfield) - Denmark; Dee Ann Birdsong (Sweetwater) - France; and
Michael Guide (Amarillo) - Finland. He also reported that 10 inbound
students were studying in Amarillo, Big Spring, Colorado City,
Lubbock, Perryton, Hereford and Plainview.
Vijay Kurki Gowdra,
graduate student from India studying civil engineering at Texas
Tech, was a recipient of a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship. The
Lubbock Rotary Club was his host club.
More international news concerned the District’s
Group Study Exchange team. Team members departed October 13, 1990
for a 5 week visit to Argentina/Paraguay District 484 and included
William Mills (Pampa,) Paul Nabors (Big Spring,) Mark Swindler
(Odessa,) James Tipton, Jr. (Big Spring,) and team leaders PDG
Charles Beil and wife Joan (Big Spring.)
With the number of District and club projects continuing
to grow, it was essential for Governor Hubbs to select dedicated and
capable Rotarians to assist him in serving the programs of Rotary in
District 573. He chose the following: Harold Elder (Pecos) -
Secretary; Roy Ackerman (Pecos) - Treasurer; Tommy Churchwell (Big
Spring) - District Historian; PDG Bob Lewis (Big Spring) -
Nominations; Jon Oden (Amarillo) - Resolutions; Jerry Casstevens
(Southwest Lubbock) - Diabetic Camp; PDG Ralph McLaughlin (Big
Spring) - PolioPlus; W. L. Goble (Levelland) - District Liability
Insurance; John Dawson (Amarillo West) - Public Relations; PDG J. D.
Cage (Muleshoe) - Extension; Ron Bailey (Lubbock) - Free Enterprise;
PDG John R. Collard, Jr. (Spearman) - RYLA; PDG Davis Armistead
(Lubbock) - Club Service; Ansil O’Neil (Slaton) - Membership
Development; John Elliott (Lubbock) - Rotary Information; Howard
Welborn (Lubbock) - Club Bulletins; Ted Holder (Levelland) -
Attendance; PDG Jack Selby (Lubbock) - Vocational Service; Troy
Fraser (Big Spring) - Community Service and Rotaract; Tommy Sims
(Childress) - Interact; PDG Louis Rochester (Odessa) - International
Service and World Community Service; PDG Bob Lewis and Lee George
(Big Spring) - Youth Exchange; PDG Charles Beil (Big Spring) -
Rotary Foundation; George M. Fielding (Lubbock) - Group Study
Exchange; PDG Burnett Roberts (Levelland) - Special Grants and 3H;
PDG Ed Self (Plainview) - Paul Harris Fellows; Dr. Harley Oberhelman
(Lubbock) - Scholarships; and PDG Charles Beil (Big Spring) -
Development, Planned, and Annual Giving.
Key people were the Governor’s Area Special
Representatives who included Jay V. Morris (Childress,) Gary Schneck
(Borger,) Henry L. Ramaekers (Dimmitt,) Ed Henderson (Floydada,)
Chris Roberts (Levelland,) Edward R. Scott (Amarillo,) Charles V.
Neil (Lubbock,) Joe Sears (Brownfield,) Dr. Ed Schmidt (Odessa,)
Bill Moss (Snyder,) Mike Fletcher (Monahans,) and Eddie McNett
(Andrews.)
The annual
District 573 Paul Harris Fellows Dinner was held in Plainview at
Wayland Baptist University’s McClung Center on the evening of
November 30th, 1990. It was quite a show
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