Buena Park Moose History Through the Eyes of

Gary R Stromme PG

Lodge Governors

1. Clyde W Allen — (1959 to Unknown?) MID: 00001084. He was the Lodge Chartered Governor. Reenroll 06/12/1971 sponsor by Raymond W Rollins. Move to 5200 Goshen Springs RD, A-69, Norcross, GA 30093-2571. Dues expire 06/30/1992.

2. Carl Myers - (Date Unknown) MID: 00067506, Enroll: 01/01/1950,25 Club: 01/02/1972, Fellowship: 06/14/1966, Pilgrim 1978, DOB: 09/24/1906. Previous Lodge Garden Grove Moose. He once said he would be the only Pilgrim from the lodge while he was alive, he was until he died.

3. Stan Krahlaski - (Date Unknown?)

4. Jerry Rouleau - (Date Unknown?)

5. Raymond W Rollins - (5/1/73?) MID: 00080761, Enroll: 03/27/1968, Moose Legion: 03/30/1968, Fellowship: 06/09/1979, DOB: 05/01/1928. His sponsor was Clyde W Allen, MID: 00001084. He was also the lodge Secretary, on and off with Ronald Noxsel

6. Doug Hawkes - (5/1/74) Could have been related to Eugene D Hawk, Enroll: 01/22/1922, MID: 01921649, DOB; 07/21/1939.

7. Francis Flesner (5/1/75) MID: 00030212. A machinist, he started and made the lodge large gavel award. To win and take over the award, the lodge officers from a different lodge would have to go to the lodge that had the gavel. They would then take over the officer’s stations and do the lodge’s opening ritual to win the gavel. The visiting officers would then give back the officer’s stations to continue with the lodge business. Brother Francis would stamp the date on the gavel the date the award was won and by what lodge. The Buena Park Lodge was the last to win it from Garden Grove in 1986. At one time it was stolen by La Habra Moose for fun then recovered.

8. Axel Nielsen — (5/1/76) He originally joined the Manhattan Beach Moose Lodge in 1960. He then transferred to the Garden Grove Lodge in 1969. He then transferred to the Buena Park Lodge in 1972. On 3/4/77 he drew up the first plans for the new building. It was also the year that I met Susan Nielsen and became the MC for Axel’s and Betty’s Ofalonnie Polynesian Hawaiian show along with the Britt’s family. One of the first shows that we did was for the Buena Park Moose Lodge. Axel received his Fellowship Degree and was a District President.

9. Ray W Rollins - (5/1/77) MID: 00080761, Enroll: 03/27/1968, Moose Legion: 03/30/1968, Fellowship: 06/09/1979, DOB: 05/01/1928. Second time as Governor, that same year on I married Susan.

10. Wiliam Parrott - (5/1/78) On 6/19/78 the 5,440 sq. ft. valuation for the new building was $125,000. Sold part of land to finance new building. On 1/19/79 demo permit was given on the old building. On 1/25/79 the start of the new building began. The building was going to have a larger social quarter but was squared down. The women’s bathroom was larger but we needed a room for the slot machines which is now a storage room. The hall had a large stage that band like the Platers, Drifters, Freddy Fender, America just to name a few that preformed on. We had a dressing room for the stage but now it is a storage room and the women’s office. The secretary’s office was smaller at one time but took away part of the stage. In 2007 the officers decided the stage was not important for the lodge, it is now a storage area. We also put up a Memorial to remember and honor the members that passed away while they were a member of the lodge.

11. Axel Nielsen - (5/1/79 - 1/21/81) Second time as Governor, on 5/16/79 Ron Noxsel becomes the lodge electrician. On 9/20/79 George Kovacevich is asked to help get the lodge building permits through the Buena Park building department. On 4/23/81 lodge received the final on building. On the sold land next door, the new building went up in 1984.

12. Larry Shuttleworth - (1/22/81) MID: 01488989, Enroll: 12/15/1968,25 Club: 06/06/1978, Life Member: 08/01/1988, Moose Legion: 03/16/1980, Fellowship: 01/09/1983, DOB: 10/22/1940. Had been a member of East Heights Lodge 2241 before transferring into the Buena Park Lodge. He had put Bingo into the lodge twice a week bringing in approximately $5,000 a week for the lodge.

13. Leslie B Parks JR - (5/1/82) MID: 01726942, Enroll: 06/09/1968,25 Club: 12/28/1983, Fellowship: 09/15/1984. In March 1983 I join the Buena Park Moose Lodge. I was 27 years old at the time and Axel Nielsen was my sponsor.

14. Larry Shuttleworth - (5/1/83) MID: 01488989, Enroll: 12/15/1968,25 Club: 06/06/1978, Life Member: 08/01/1988, Moose Legion: 03/16/1980, Fellowship: 01/09/1983, DOB: 10/22/1940. Second time as Governor. When he moved out of state, he was in the 225 division of the 25 club with 237 members. As gratitude for his service the lodge gave him a lifetime membership.

15. Leslie B Parks JR - (9/7/83) MID: 01726942, Enroll: 06/09/1968,25 Club: 12/28/1983, Fellowship: 09/15/1984. Second time as Governor. Took over from Larry Shuttleworth when he moves out of state.

16. Ronald Noxsel - (5/1/84) MID:00069398, Enroll: 04/03/1968,25 Club: 09/29/1981, Moose Legion: 03/25/1973, Fellowship: 09/16/1978, DOB: 09/18/1929. Clyde W Allen was his sponsor. He was a tax man. He was the lodge secretary before and for many years later on and off.

17. Donald Britt - (5/1/85) MID: 00010775, Enroll: 4/22/1997, Moose Legion: 12/13/1980,25 Club: 04/02/1986. Put on a lot of BBQ’s for the lodge. I learned about the Moose Legion, sponsored by Donald Britt and conferred in the Orange Coast Moose Legion 203. Donald Britt and I attend all of the Moose Legion 203 committee meetings which was held on a different day as the Legion Celebrations. On 09/13/1997 Donald Britt received his Fellowship Degree. Thirty-three years later Legion 203 became Southern California Moose Legion 6. In November 1985 on Thanksgiving Day that year, Axel Nielsen passed away.

18. William Land - (5/1/86) MID: 01806329, Enroll: 06/15/1982, Moosesaver: 08/05/1986, Moose Legion: 03/19/1983, Fellowship: 11/11/1988, DOB: 09/01/1937. Seeing that the lodge savings was dwindling which Axel Nielsen had built up, I became more involved in the lodge. I was appointed Sergeant-At-Arms. The lodge had a firework stand and I was asked to be a chairman for a second one, a Red Devil stand on Knott and Crescent. It cleared $2,000 the same as the Gorilla, the other stand did. I was also appointed in the Orange Empire District 27 as Publicity Chairman.

19. ClarkD Payne-(2/1/87) MID: 01655736, Enroll: 07/01/1981, Moose Legion: 03/22/1986, Fellowship: 09/19/1987, DOB: 03/07/1936. His sponsor was Ronald G Noxsel. I was appointed the Prelate in the Buena Park Moose Lodge.

20. Jack Lee Herring - (5/1/87) MID: 00391479.1 was elected as Junior governor. The Lodge hired as Administrator, Joe Eckhart, MID: for $30,000 a year and with his experience we made our first, second, and third Merit Award. Membership grew from 323 to 336 members.

21. Gary Reyamon Stromme - (5/1/89) MID: 01996130. Enroll: 03/01/1983, Life Membership: 10/20/1992, Moose Legion: 03/22/1986, Fellowship: 05/28/1990, DOB: 11/13/1955. Sponsor was Axel Nielsen. I brought in the first dart board and started dart tournaments. The lodge had Teen Club meetings and dances. Bingo twice a week banked the lodge $20,000 to $30,000 a month. Brought in the Platers for the Moose Legion Celebration. I was appointed the Orange Empire District 19 Prelate. I became the Moose of the Year in the Buena Park Moose Lodge. That year I signed up 13 new Members and the lodge had an increase of 80 members. Every lodge officer signs up at least one new member except the Jr Governor. The lodge made its second Merit Award along with earning a Shinning Star Award for largest percentage increase in membership from 336 to 416 members. Moose Director General Paul J. O’Hollaren changes the official regalia of the Moose Fraternity. The lodge voted to purchase all the lodge Fellows a jacket and tie the following year. The lodge purchased a large outside bin to help with storage.(See Gary’s Moose Resume)

22. Harry F Flowers - (5/1/90) (NO Photo) MID: 02586749, Enroll: 04/01/1986, Moose Legion: 03/21/1987,25 Club: 02/21/1994 DOB: 06/18/1926. He put up the lodges first Flag Pole and fired Joe Eckhart that did a lot of harm to the lodge. Shortly after that he stepped down as Governor, and did not earn Past Governor honor. I became the lodges Junior Past Governor and Orange Coast Moose Legion Treasure. In May of that year I received the Fellowship Degree in Chicago. The lodge bought its first computer and Fellowship jackets for all of the Lodge Fellows. Jack Herring and I went down and got our Past Governors pictures taken.

23. William Land - (9/12/90) MID: 01806329, Enroll: 06/15/1982, Moosesaver: 08/05/1986, Moose Legion: 03/19/1983, Fellowship: 11/11/1988, DOB: 09/01/1937. Second time as Governor, took over for Harry Flowers. I became Orange Empire District 19 President. The lodges in the district was La Habra, Fullerton, Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Buena Park, and Los Alamitos. When Los Alamitos closed down a few years later we received their Social Quarters Rules which we have posted and their outside Moose Lodge sign, this is at our front entrance now. The District earned the 4 Star Award and received 2nd place for District Scrap Book, I was the chairman. The big money makers that year was a firework stand. A District Picnic at Brothers of Saint Patricks’ which every lodge had an adult and a kid’s booth including a dunk tank. I brought in stars from the TV show American Gladiators along with three bands that donated their time. Later that year we had an overnight bus trip to Nevada casinos. In January 19911 became a member of the 25 club and went to the National Convention in New Orleans. It rained so hard I could not make it to the hotel where the 25-club dinner was being held, even though it was only a block away from my hotel. The district hosted the first drug congress which I was able to supply the bus to take the students around. The lodge membership raised $300 for our new Moose Fraternity sign on the street and I donated the other $900 to pay for it.

24. Jack Lee Herring - (5/1/91) MID: 00391479. Second time as Governor. I became East Moose of Moose Legion 203, now called Moose Legion Chaplin. This year the California/Nevada Moose Association held its Convention at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel. The lodge had five vehicles, one being Oli Olson’s motorhome to transport 600 delegates to our lodge. Everyone was asked to sign the guest book when they came into the lodge. Jack Herring would cook and carve the meats from Baron of Beef to Rack of Lamb in front of the guest when they ordered their meals. For entertainment, the lodge had performing on stage the original group “America”. The lodge made an extra $12,000 from the Convention that year. In October 19911 became State Membership Committeeman and Past District President. The District Received 2nd Place for District Scrap Book, I was the chairman.

25. Larry Casebeer - (5/1/92) (NO PHOTO) MID: 08260337, Enroll: 8/31/1988, Moose Legion: 6/01/1991. Did not complete his year. In May 1992 I Became Moose Legion Vice President of Orange Coast Legion 203.

26. Stephen Pent - (8/12/92) (NO PHOTO) MID: 04308003, Enroll: 11/25/1987,25 Club: 12/07/1992, Moose Legion: 03/06/1993, Fellowship: 06/13/1994, DOB: 02/21/1944. His sponsor was Ralph Sentner, MID: 04042017. In June 1992 I was appointed Assistant Outer Guard for the Moose International Convention in Orlando, Florida and also Membership Department Coordinator. The student drug conference came back to Anaheim and when Disneyland would not donate the tickets, I bought all of the tickets for the 100 students and their chaperones to Disneyland.

27. Dean Coil - (5/1/93) In May 19931 was elected Moose Legion President of Orange Coast Moose Legion 203.1 formed the Moose Raiders and we enrolled 80 new Moose Legionnaires. The Raiders did so well we decided to have our own convention in Pahrump Nevada. I gave away a trip to the International Convention in Las Vegas the next year. For a membership promotion I had a Moose Legion conferral on a boat in New Port Beach harbor. Afterwards we Raided an Elks lodge in New Port Beach. In June 1983 I was appointed Assistant Inner Guard of Moose International convention in Chicago, Illinois and reappointed Membership Department Coordinator.

28. Clarence A Grande JR - (5/1/94) (NO PHOTO) MID: 09441010, Enroll: 04/04/1993, Moosesaver: 04/12/1993, Moose Legion: 06/05/1993, DOB: 08/19/1951. Along with his brother Nathan D Grande and I took 2nd Place in novice California/Nevada State Ritual team. Clarence took the Ritual Governors part. Paul Miller was also part the lodge Ritual team.

29. Gary Reyamon Stromme - (12/1/94) MID: 01996130. Enroll: 03/01/1983, Life Membership: 10/20/1992, Moose Legion: 03/22/1986, Fellowship: 05/28/1990, DOB: 11/13/1955. Second time as Governor. Took over as Governor when Clarence A Grande JR moved out of state for a new job opportunity. Do to miss handing of Moose Lodge funds our Administrator, Gean Duncan had to be replaced at the same time by Ronald Noxsel. Soon after Wade Saunders replaced Ronald Noxsel. We started that year the Annual Cheating Chili Cook-off and salsa Contest.

30. Robert Hathway - (5/1/95) (NO PHOTO) MH): 02089715. Short term. He was on the lodge Ritual staff.

31. Robert M Field - (10/31/95 - 4/30/97) MID: 08288982, Enroll: 03/22/1990, Moose Legion: 03/20/1999,25 Club: 04/10/1997, DOB: 09/29/1946. Long time Governor but could not become District President. I bought the Karaoke, 100 disks, set-up for $4,000 and donated it to the lodge. I ran it twice a week for a year and when I would sing the Streak, he would really get into it, he would take off his shirt. In 1996 Dennis Kuhns joined the Buena Park Moose Lodge and takes over the job of KJ for running the Karaoke.

32. John Claspell - (5/1/98) MID: 00017202, Enroll: 5/24/1978, Moose Legion: 3/20/1999, DOB: 4/08/1942. Brought in his Governor’s photo in 2012 when he saw it was not up on the wall.

33. Robert M Field - (5/1/99) MID: 08288982, Enroll: 03/22/1990, Moose Legion: 03/20/1999,25 Club: 04/10/1997, DOB: 09/29/1946. Second time as Governor.

34. Jerry Taaffe Jr - (5/1/2000) MID: 09924618, Enroll: 06/26/1996, Moosesaver: 08/05/1996, DOB: 09/30/1957. His Sponsor was John Sohner. Ran a Meat Department. When it came to a chili Cook-off Contest, he was hard to beat. Later he transfers to Bull Head City, AZ and received his Fellowship Degree in 2013.

35. Dennis C Kuhns - (5/1/2001) MID: 09907440, Enroll: 04/24/1996, Moosesaver: 06/05/1996, Moose Legion: 07/21/1996, DOB: 12/08/1951. He joined the Buena Park Moose Lodge in 1996 and became very active cooking in the kitchen. We had more cooking functions in the lodge because of him. Weekly Friday night dinners, Sunday breakfasts, and started up the Iron Moose Food monthly challenge. After being Governor, he became District President, and Moose Legion President. He earned his Fellowship Degree. Then became the second Pilgrim 5/23/2009 in the Buena Park Moose Lodge. Moose Pilgrim Dennis passed away in 2018.

36. Jerry Taaffe Jr. - (5/1/2002) Second time. He transferred to the Bull head City, Arizona Moose Lodge years later and earned his Fellowship Degree in 2013.

37. Dale Gallop - (2002?) MID: 00032516, Enroll: 12/29/1977, Moosesaver: 03/31/1996, Moose Legion: 12/17/1978, DOB: 05/20/1938. Honorary Past Governor. For all of his hard work as Administrator, getting the lodge out of hot water with the IRS and he was moving out of state the lodge gave him the title of Honorary Past Governor.

38. Guv Chichester - (5/1/2003) (NO PHOTO) Did not complete his term as Governor.

39. William J Peterson - (5/1/2004) MID: 02486612, Enroll: 09/26/1985,25 Club: 03/19/1996, Moose Legion: 06/21/1986, Fellowship: 09/09/1995, Pilgrim: DOB: 07/09/1929. He started out at West Anaheim Moose Lodge. When his lodge closed, he transfers to Buena Park Lodge. I made him my Sergeant- At -Arms when I was Moose Legion President in 1993 then he advanced to Moose Legion President, and finally Moose Legion Secretary. He earned his Fellowship Degree then he became the third Pilgrim in the Buena Park Moose Lodge. Moose Pilgrim Bill transferred to the Garden Grove Lodge and has now passed away in 2019.

40. M Craig Harding - (5/1/2005 - 4/30/07) Was a bartender, cook, a maintenance man, and an ice maker repair man. He became District President and won Top District President Award. 2004 He started Coach Thibodeau’s Caddyshack Golf Tournament. Every year 80% of the proceeds goes to Hope School in Buena Park and 20% to Mooseheart. He earned his Fellowship Degree.

41. Thomas Cook - (5/1/07 - 4/30/09) In 2008 No Smoking in the lodge was legally in forced. I donated $2,000 for a new smoking patio.

42. Matthew M Brvden - (5/1/09 - 4/30/11) Earned his Fellowship Degree.

43. Bob Schumacher - (5/1/11) Buena Park Moose hosted the Buena Park City Memorial Day Celebration. 2011 the International Convention came to Anaheim. Over 1,300 moose came to the Buena Park Moose Lodge.

44. Matthew M Brvden - (5/1/12 - 4/30/14) 2012 was the first year that the Buena Park Moose held a Youth Awareness Congress with eleven students in attendance. Clara Lemus was a finalist sponsored by Buena Park Women of the Moose. 2013 Social quarters remodeled. I sponsored Erik Estrada in the Moose Legion during a Safe Surfing event, donating a Cop in the Box to the Buena Park Police Department. Second Youth Awareness Congress was held at the lodge with sixteen students in attendance. In keeping up with the tradition and honor, Ron and Ray Honea and I put up new brackets to hold more Past Governors and Past Senior Regents pictures. The First Annual Moose Masters 4 club golf event.

45. Rick Harmor - (5/1/14 - 4/30/16) Tony Tapia and Linda Molthen put on the 1st Quartermania fund raiser. In 20161 ask to promote and chair the Heart of the Community committee.

46. Alfred E Germaine - (5/1/16 - 4/30/18) MID: 00033728, Enroll: 05/23/1979, Moose Legion: 06/08/1985, passed away 2020 before he received his Fellowship. In 20161 was still the Heart of the Community Chairman; the lodge took an Honorable Mention from Moose International. In 2017 the lodge took Silver. In 2018 the lodge took Silver and 1st in the California/Nevada Moose Association.

47. Chris Maher - (2019) Honorary Past Governor. He took over as lodge Administrator when Dennis C Kuhns passed away. A big part in receiving a $25,000 Grant from Moose International for a new roof. He put in many hours working with me on the Youth Awareness Committee.

48. David Darling - (2018 - 6/30/20) Remodeled men’s bathroom, Social Quarters, added TVS, remodeled kitchen. 2019 the lodge took Gold, 1st in the California/Nevada Moose Association and 4th in the Moose Fraternity for Heart of the Community. In 2019 the Buena Park Congress had Twenty-six students attend, three finalist and one $12,000 scholarship winner, Nguyen “Harley” Tran. In 2020 the Buena Park Congress had Thirty-three students attend, three finalists, then 2/16/2020 Covid-19.

49. Mike Conway – (07/01/2020 – 04/30/21) Covid-19! Remodeling the Meeting Hall.

50. Russ Duke - (05/01/21 - 04/30/22)

51. David Darling - (05/01/22 - 04/30/24 )