ShrinerMagazineFall2021

The Fraternity’s

Highest Honor TWO IMPERIAL POTENTATES PRESENT AWARDS OF MERIT

2020 Awards of Merit Presented by Imperial Sir Jeff Sowder

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AWARD OF MERIT

GARDNER BURTON, SCIMITAR SHRINERS Gardner Burton of Little Rock, Arkansas, owns a commercial and residential insurance agency, and has served on many insurance agency and regulatory boards in Arkansas. He is a member of Magnolia Lodge #60 in Little Rock. He became a Shriner in 2004, served as Potentate in 2013 and is Hospital Transportation Chairman. He has also served on the Interna- tional Development Committee, as a Captain of the Guard Aide and as an Imperial Potentate’s Aide, and has been on the Board of Governors of the Shreveport hospital since 2014. Burton has counseled his Masonic and Shriner brothers through many difficult situations, maintaining a great sense of dignity while navigating the many challenges that have come before nobles in Arkansas. Burton and his wife, Lynn have been married for 27 years and have one son. MIKE CLEVENGER, ALADDIN SHRINERS Mike Clevenger of Worthington, Ohio, owned a CPA firm for many years before retiring in 2018. He joined New England Lodge #4 in 1980. He became a Shriner in 1981 and served as Potentate in 2003. He has been active in the Ambassador Club, Patrol, Licking County Shrine Club and the Cabiri. He was appointed an Imperial Potentate’s Aide in 2019. Clevenger is an accomplished presenter and teaches leadership at Shriners International seminars. He and his wife, LuAnne have been married for 45 years and have one son and one granddaughter. PAT ROBERTS, NAJA SHRINERS Pat Roberts of Deadwood, South Dakota, is trained in business and accounting and has worked in several settings, includ- ing motels, restaurants, casinos, car dealerships and travel. He was raised a Master Mason at Deadwood Golden Star Lodge #7, and is a member of the Scottish Rite. He joined Naja Shriners, where he served as a 10-year Divan member, was Potentate in 2001 and belongs to the cowboy and clown units. He is an Emeritus Member of the Colorado Corporation with Shriners Hospitals for Children and has served Shriners International on the Jurisdictional Lines committee. He and his wife, Annie have been married for 40 years and have four children and 10 grandchildren.

RON CAPPS, MIDIAN SHRINERS Ron Capps of Wichita, Kansas, taught high school, worked for Boeing Commercial Airline Company, and later joined the family business. He was raised a Master Mason at Bester G. Brown Lodge, is a member of York Rite and Scottish Rite and received his Honorary 33rd Degrees. He joined Midian Shriners in 1981, served as Potentate in 2002 and has been Treasurer since 2019. He has served on the Ambassadors Committees, as Membership Chairman and as Assistant Circus Chairman. He is a member of the Oriental Band and the Association of Shrine Oriental Bands and was the Central States Shrine Oriental Bands Association President in 1991. He is an Emeritus Member of the Board of Governors of Shriners Hospitals for Children — St. Louis and is on the Board of Governors of Shriners Children’s Texas. He and his wife, Bonnie have been married for 26 years and have one son. JANET LACHUT Janet Lachut made history in Houston when she became the first woman to receive this award. Her husband, Wayne Lachut, would have served as the 2020-2021 Imperial Potentate with Janet by his side as First Lady if he had not passed away in 2016. Lachut was an accomplished, dedicated and beloved Shriner. Despite her loss, Janet has continued her own journey with the Shriners, working tirelessly since 2016, mostly behind the scenes. She has helped at the Shriners Children's Open and the East-West Shrine Bowl, assisted our National Patient Ambassadors at events, and contributed in many other ways. “We honor this Lady with the Award of Merit,” said Imperial Sir Sowder, “because she was along Wayne’s side every step of the way during his Shrine journey.” Lady Janet and Wayne have two sons and two grandchildren.

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SHRINER MAGAZINE: PRIDE AND TRADITION