The Rotary Club of Amarillo History - 1918 to 1930 

The second and third yeas of Rotary in Amarillo were foundation years ....for the Club.  During 1918-19 and 1919-20, because of the numerous problems growing out of war conditions, the men of the group had many reasons for being concerned about their individual affairs.  They might have withheld their time and energy from this new Club, a novel thing, in their town.  These two critical year, however, were years of stability and significant growth for Rotary.   Ross Rogers lent able assistance to the 1918-1919 year when he began publication of the Club bulletin - Wheels. 

Guy H. Faller, the only man who has served two terms as president of Amarillo Rotary, was the chief officer during these important terms.   His tireless efforts and leadership qualities are credited with much of the Club's success at that time. Ed Hardin, a Charter member, said of Mr. Faller's job, "Guy had led our club 'out of war' and through the difficult readjustment months following, and did it in superb fashion."

Like the two preceding years 1920-21 was a part of the readjustment period.  But Rotary, following the strong systematic personality of her president, Hermon Pipkin, continued to grow and be felt in the community.  Writing in October, 1942 Hermon Pipkin penned these words, in reference to the program of Rotary. "Eternal principles and the sustained efforts that make them effective are more important in human relations than men and agencies which temporarily deal with them."

Ross Rogers as president of our Club in 1921-22 cast his imposing shadow across the future of Amarillo.  It was during his executive year that the men of Amarillo realized Ross was a business and civic potential.   In June, 1928, Ross wrote of the Rotary Club of Amarillo, "To date my presidency of the Club is the high point of my life. Amarillo Rotary is an outstanding and orthodox Club and we are grateful to the pioneer members who established it."

One of Amarillo Rotary's great achievements, the internationally recognized Boy's Life Survey, was made during Ross Roger's term. 

Frank Ryburn became president for 1922-23 and his administration carried forth the upsweep movement that the previous year had initiated and the Club like all of Amarillo surged into a "boom" period. 

The next six years of Rotary were greatly colored by the period of growth through which the whole north plains area moved.  Oil and gas leasing and the discovery o the Hutchinson County Field thrust Amarillo into an era of expansion and development. 

Such Club presidents as Ernest O. Thompson, Rue Parcells, Tom Gallaher, Guy Saunders, J. Howard Paul and Fred Bone were men whose executive abilities and vocational experiences qualified them to keep abreast with the rapid growth of the entire North Plains area of the state. 

Commercial and industrial organization and cooperation were not enough.  The spirit of Rotary - (he ideals of service and respect for a fellow man's vocational problems)-was essential in laying the broad foundation of the Amarillo business and civic structure. 

During 1923-24 Ernest Thompson led the Club.  "Ernest O," as some called him gave the local Club the spirit of bigness: effective, forceful, bigness. 

Rue P. Parcells was president in 1924-25.   Rue was the man of the hour - a president with the ability to make Rotary's new strength and objectives a positive part of the permanent fiber of the Amarillo structure.   Rue carried the ideals of Rotary into numerous phases of the civic and social life of our community., This was the year every member of the Club attended a district convention on an all expense-paid basis. 

The great Rotary Revolving Education Scholarship Fund of the Amarillo Club was subscribed and established during Rue's administration.  Rue described Rotary as "the greatest service organization in Amarillo and in the world."

Tom Gallaher, Sr., was elected president for 1925-26.  Mr. Gallaher, evolving into a highly influential personality and business man fitted into this period of Club history in a most efficient manner.   Tom, his railroads and the area he served were at full steam.  Here again the leader of the Club was a man for the time--a man of Rotary depth. 

Guy Saunders accepted the presidency for 1926-27 with a great deal of humility.  It was an honor for one of the founders of Rotary in Amarillo.  The essence of Rotary had long been a part of Guy's make-up. His year provided much consideration of "service above self" as a valuable must in business.  President Guy helped Rotary to be a great stabilizing force in the lives of the members during this hectic boom inception year. 

Guy Saunders speaks of Rotary's value with these words: "The monument of Rotary in Amarillo is not a concrete thing,.  It exists in those almost tangible qualities in the lives of all our members - young and old - the qualities of confidence, unselfishness and respect for the next fellow."

J. Howard Paul carried the Club through 1927 - 28 and to a new high membership of one hundred twenty-four.  During his term every member came to understand and respect each Rotarian's individual problems and personalities.   Individual qualities came to be recognized among our greater attributes of the genuine Rotarian. 

During the latter part of this term Rue Parcells was elected to the District Governorship.  Fred Bone took the helm for our group in 1928-29.  With Fred Bone came much of the dignity of old England - and Fred made no "bones" about it. President Fred projected the strength of Rotary into numerous civic projects and encouraged the Boy Scout work which had had a big boost in Guy Saunders' administration. 

Allen Early, Sr., one of those truly great citizens of Amarillo was the chief in 1929 - 30.  Allen in his dignified manner and with a good sense of humor stressed "pure" Rotary.  He caused the membership to see the real value of Rotary attendance and classification standards.