On the Occasion of Our 15th Chapter Anniversary In late 1984, Steve McGraw and Jack Tully, both Goldwingers from the Golden Triangle, attended a bike and car show at the Houston Astrodome at which GWRRA had a display booth. (GWRRA was created in 1977.) Talking with the GWRRA folk was enough to pique their interest and get them started down the road to forming a local chapter.
After doing all the legwork and paperwork and linking up with other like-minded Wingers, they created Chapter J in the Texas 1 District, Region H. Our Certificate of Chaptership (which is still in our chapter archives) is dated 1 February 1985.

Surviving records show the names of the following 33 charter members:

(1) First Chapter J Area Representatives (what they called Chapter Directors until the early 1990s).
(2) Second Chapter J Area Representatives. Reva was also an early Newsletter Editor.
(3) Ruby was the Chapter’s first Treasurer. In February, 2000, they were the only charter members still active in Chapter J. GWRRA members since August, 1982—Member #11846.
(4) Staff positions included Asst Area Representative and Ride Coordinator.
(5) Introduced Chapter J to the Old Timer’s Pavilion in Orange which we have used for Chapter events ever since. Attended Wing Ding VII in Knoxville, TN in 1985. GWRRA member since 06/83. Active Chapter members until they gave up motorcycling in 1998.
(6) Of Leone’s Cycle Shop in Beaumont, at their present location on MLK since 1949, and the local Honda dealer since 1959.
* indicates attended Chapter J 15th Anniversary Meeting on 17 February 2000.

The new Chapter J held their “kick-off” get-together on 2 March 1985. Sixty-eight people attended, including 33 from the chapter. Also present were the TX1 State Directors, Hayne & Mary Searcy from Smithville, and the Region H Directors, Jim & Oline Guest.

The first few Chapter J meetings were held at the 1 in 100 Gun Club on Ariola Rd (Hwy 421) on the west side of Lumberton.

Later meeting places included:

Although not on the charter member list, the names of several of our still active chapter members pop up very early in the chapter’s history. These include Charles & Paula Lee (GWRRA members since 9/85), Joe & Gayla Callaway (6/85), Mac & Jean McClammy (8/85), Pat & Maxine Rocknic (2/86), Bill Wheeler (12/86), Beau & Rachel Dobson (8/89) and Roland & Ruth Bailey (10/89). The ‘Green Bar’ for the Chapter J area dated 10-Dec-85 listed 73 local GWRRA members.

Area Representatives/Chapter Directors of Chapter J:

* indicates attended the Chapter 15th Anniversary Meeting on 17 February 2000.

Other Chapter Office Holders (This is not a complete list):
AARs & ACDs: Most of the ARs/CDs, plus Steve McGraw, Steve Stewart, Arnold Ray & Nell Reeves.
Treasurers: Ruby Westbrook (1985 - ?), Arnold Ray Reeves (1991 – 92), Paulette Salisbury (now Burke)(? – 1995), Cheryl Moore (1997), Barbara Preston (1997 – present).
Couples of the Year: Arnold Ray & Nell Reeves** (1995), Ken & Esther Newell*** (1996), Charles & Cheryl Moore** (1997), Ron & Patti Thibodeaux (1998), Lyn & Margaret Herron (1999), Barry & Charlene Steele (2000).
** indicates went on to become District COY
*** indicates went on to become District & Region COY
Chapter Educators: Eric Wonders, Mike Schmidt, Lee & Becky Bosier, Ken & Esther Newell, Lyn & Margaret Herron, Barry & Charlene Steele.
Newsletter Editors: Jean McClammy, Reva Roy, Vickie Chriswell, Ann Osborne, Shirley Raposa, Bobby Bowden, George & Carolyn Abney, Bill Shaw, Cheryl Moore, Michelle Martin, Kenny & Lisa Arceneaux, Dennis & Susie Johnson, Lyn Herron, Rick Marshall.

Chapter Traditions:
The longest chapter tradition is the Central Mall Bike Show in Pt Arthur--begun in the chapter’s first year, 1985, and held every year since. The year 2000 Mall Show will be our 16th Annual. (And Charles & Paula Lee have displayed their bike at every single one!)
The Chapter Christmas Party has been held in the Old Timer’s Pavilion in Orange every year since 1985 or 1986.
The Chapter J Fool’s Run Rally has been held at the Old Timer’s every year since 1989.
The Horror-ween Campout at Wolf Creek (Lake Livingston) has been held every year since 1990.
The Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Ride to Al T’s in Winnie began in 1994.

In 1985, our 33 charter members established a chapter that began strong and that has remained strong and active and that has grown over the years. They created a heritage of which they should feel proud, and for which fifteen years of local Gold Wingers thank them.

Additions, clarifications and corrections to this brief history are welcomed and encouraged, as is the submission of archival chapter documents, newsletters, photographs, &/etc. Contact Dennis or Susie Johnson at (409) 769-7435, or denni_j@sbcglobal.net.