Melvin Arthur Pixley

For more about Mel Pixley & this line-go to pixleyblair.tribalpages.com From the homepage scroll down to 'Stories' to Mel Pixley's Legacy of Dreams. Mel Pixley was born in Wichita, Ks. & grew up in Lincoln, Ne. He attended Nebraska Wesleyan University where he was a star athlete & was later a member of the Board of Trustees. He was a member of Theta Phi Sigma fraternity which later affiliated with Zeta Psi.
He moved to California & became a businessman in Huntington Park, Ca. & in Maywood Ca. where Pixley Park was named for him. He was well-known, loved & respected in the community for his work with youth & charitable organizations. These included Executive Officer of Southern California DeMolay & Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Los Angeles Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children. He was active in numerous organizations, was Past Potentate of Al Malaikah Shrine Temple, served as Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of California & was honored as a 33rd. degree Scottish Rite Mason, the highest degree conferred in Freemasonry.

His life was dedicated to doing for others. I can remember on Thanksgiving and Christmas. He would later excuse himself and go to downtown Los Angeles and serve food to the less fortunate at the Midnight Mission.

Above all, he was a loving father & grandfather & his death was a loss to his family & community.

His philosophy of life can be summed up by the following, which was among his favorites:

For it is in doing and
Giving for somebody else
On this all life's
Splendors depend
And the joys of this life
Life when you sum them
All up are found in the love of
Your family and friends.

It was a philosophy that my father lived by example.

 NOTE: While reading letters my Uncle Ted Blair had sent to his family while attending the USC dental school-he mentions that one of the places he lived was at 642 W. 32nd St, in Los Angeles in 1931. It was right across from the Shrine Auditorium...and that my dad visited him there in 1932. What irony! My dad staying there across from the Shrine that would be such an important part of his (and our lives) years later.

For more about him and his family-go to pixleyblair.tribalpages.com and in the upper right 'Find' box, type the name and click. These lines can also be found on ancestry.com on the tree: Pixleyblair.tribalpages.com

GEDCOM Note

(Research): Here was a young man-23 years old-who came to California during the depression with very little & became a successful businessman & leader in his communities. He went to work for a local trucking business in Huntington Park, went to night school to get the skills he needed to advance himself & eventually bought out that business. With his hard-work, intelligence & enterprise-in less than 7 years after his arrival in California-he owned a business that employed dozens of people. He was known not only as a successful businessman but a one of fine character who gave back so much to his communities, friends & his family. He became a Freemason about 1946 rising to the highest ranks in Masonry in Los Angeles. He was much loved, admired & respected by so many for his wit, wisdom, leadership & caring for others. I owe him so much & 'am so lucky & proud to be his daughter.

A LIFE WELL-LIVED
Melvin Arthur Pixley was born in Wichita Kansas. He attended school in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. In «i»1915 Census«/i» shows the family in Sioux City, Woodbury Co. IA with church affiliation-Congregational. His family settled in Lincoln where they lived at 3619 Madison. The house was probably built by his father. (I have a note that it was built by 'Grandpa Blair'?--difficult to read but that wouldn't make sense.).

THE EARLY YEARS

He attended high school in Wichita, Kansas & Jackson High School in Lincoln, Nebraska and then Nebraska Wesleyan University where he lettered in football, basketball and track. He joined Theta Phi Sigma fraternity which became Zeta Psi, where he later served as an Elder. A «i»'The Wichita Eagle'«/i» newspaper photo c1932 shows his picture with another player.. captioned: "Here are two Nebraska Wesleyan centers who will [play] here Saturday... Melvin Pixley is a well known all around athlete.  He weighs 195 lbs. and has had two years football experience and is the conference 100-yard and 200-yard dash champion, which would indicate he can get down the field on punts.  Pixley is a former Wichita boy having attended intermediate school here several years ago". He also was in the Olympic Trials in 1932-participating in track and field events-including the relay. He received the Nebraska Wesleyan University Alumni Citation in 1956 and was a member of the Board of Trustees for 12 years. 

The Melvin A. Pixley Sportsmanship Trophy was established in his honor and is awarded every year to a deserving athlete. It echoes his belief that its not if you WIN the game but HOW you play it that counts. He was also a donor to the Nebraska Wesleyan Student Center where he contributed money in the names of his wife, daughter and brother-in-law Dr. Ted Blair whose names appear on plaques in the main room. (Ted Blair graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan.) My dad's father worked for the packing house in Lincoln, his mother was a housewife. As a young child, he was ill and bedridden for a time with what may have been Bright's disease-a kidney inflammation. He obviously recovered as witness his fine record in athletics. He always spoke fondly of his dog Jack...a shepherd mix...who was his boyhood companion. In fact, if I had been a boy, I am told I would have been named Jack as well. He and my mother were married in the Great Depression.
They lived in a small apartment and my father worked in a pickle factory for $12 a week. He said that if had hadn't wanted the job, a lot of men would have been glad to have it. During these early years, he and friends ate a lot of chili and crackers. Years later-when my dad was in the Shrine-late at night, after an event-he'd order chili for all. It became a trademark...a hold over from the 'old days'. Another combination was chili & cherry pie. He loved the cherry pies I baked for him. (See notes under A Daughter's Golden Memories)

ON TO CALIFORNIA

Homes: My parents were married in Lincoln, Nebraska & live in the Francine apartments on H. Street & were living there when I was born. Built in the 1900, the building is still there and considered an historic landmark for its architecture. It is now 30 units-apartments & condos & has a Facebook page on which I made an entry. Just before I was born he had a serious mastoid operation on his ear. He would have problems with that the rest of his life. (A diary from my grandmother Blair has an address listed for my mother iin 1934: 1113 H apt D, Jackson apts. That is the address for the Francine apts., I don't know where 'Jackson came from.)

Due to his severe problems with hay fever, he relocated with his wife and daughter to Huntington Park,  California in 1936. My mother's uncle had gone to California to attend the USC School of Dentistry & his parents & younger brother Lea had followed.

They had moved to Huntington Park. (See their notes.) 

My father's parents Leroy & May Pixley would also come to California in the mid 1940s. (See their notes)

My parents came to California when I was 6 months old & lived on a house on Rita St., then bought a house on 2936 Live Oak St. in nearby Walnut Park and finally buying a house c1942 at 3135 California St., Walnut Park which they lived until 1960. This is where I grew up. Then he built a home & moved to 4286 Don Carlos Dr. in Baldwin Hills in 1960. I(In 1985-it sadly burned in the Baldwin Hills' arson fire.) In 1972 they had moved to a home my dad built at 5177 Calzado Dr. in Laguna Hills, where he lived until his death.

The Trucking Business: Upon coming to California he attended night school while working for Otto E. Benedict on Randolph St. in Huntington Park-finally buying him out and becoming the owner of H.P. and L.A. Transfer-a trucking business. He began Furniture Fast Freight and Furniture Freight Forwarding-transporting furniture from manufacturers to retailers from Oakland to San Diego in the 1940s. This was also a warehousing and local moving business. It was first located at 2614 E. Randolph St in Huntington Park & 1355 Market St., San Francisco.
They located to 2160 E. 7th St. in Los Angeles & 341 Cypress St., Oakland, Ca. My Uncle Lea worked for my dad an an accountant before he went into the navy in 1943. Then, his wife my Aunt June, worked in payroll in 1944 & 1945 while Uncle Lea was gone. Later my dad's office was at 3808 Slauson Ave. in Maywood where my dad then got into business investments & real estate & sold the trucking business. My dad's trucking business transported furniture-wholesale to retail-in California. And during WWII his trucks carried supplies, furnishing etc. to military bases like Ft. Ord.
Since is was doing government business, he qualified for the highest 'C' gas rationing card. We were very lucky. I got a real lesson in California geography during the times that I could go with my dad around the state as he met with some of his customers. Who else in school knew where Lodi, Visalia and Delano were? Then there was the 'booming burg' of Pixley, California in the San Joaquin Valley. We would stop & have lunch there. (Years later when my dad would pull into the local café with his PIXLEY license plates on the car...we were the 'hit' of the town.) Folks there had wondered who had them! (I have not confirmed the origin of the name of Pixley, California but presume we must related somehow. This is also the site of the «u»Pixley Vernal Pools Preserve«/u», «i» «/i»Tulare County).
The local Pixley town paper was called the «i»'Pixley Enterprise'«/i». Later, my dad would name his investment business: Pixley Enterprises. I remember sitting at football games at the field at Huntington Park High School and seeing those big green Fruehoff semi trucks with the orange script lettering: 'Furniture Fast Freight'-rolling down Randolph St. on their way to 5808 E. Slauson in Maywood where my dad's offices, docks and warehouse were located. And when the phone rang in the middle of the night--it could only mean trouble--an accident.
Those were the years when treacherous Route 99 over the Tejon Pass-known as the grapevine was a steep grade that caused many an accident due to loss of brakes. Once a truck lost its brakes and rammed into my dad's truck--driving him through a building. Luckily no one was killed that time. Another time I went with my dad to the scene of another accident. A young man had evidently fallen asleep, crossed the center divider and ran head-on into our truck. He died instantly. Fortunately our driver was uninjured--but I'll never forget seeing the other car. In fact, my dad's right-hand-man and good friend, Frank Wadlow was killed in a similar accident while driving back to Southern California. My dad later sold the trucking business to concentrate on real estate and other investments-Pixley Enterprises. His office remained in Maywood until the year before he died when he moved it to Anaheim to be closer to his activities at the nearby Demolay Headquarters.

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In 1967 the City of Maywood established Pixley Park to honor his service to the community. The day of the dedication we all rode in the parade in a car with my dad. It was a wonderful day & tribute it was to him.

From «i»The Daily Signal «/i» the Huntington Park area newspaper- February 23,1972
BIG CELEBRATION TO MARK PIXLEY PARK DEDICATION City's First Step To Maywood '72'

The dedication of the Melvin A. Pixley Park in Maywood on Saturday, March 16 will be the occasion of a full day festivities for the entire community. The red letter day will feature, in addition to the dedication ceremony, a full-scale parade with marching bands, a free barbecue picnic for all the city's children and adults, an exhibition baseball game, a band concert and a brunch for some 100 community leaders and officials. Theme of the entire celebration will be "A Step to "72" to underline planning now underway by the Maywood 1972 Committee to insure steady progress between now and that date of all city functions. The dedication of Pixley Park at 3626 E. 56th St. will get underway at 1 p.m.. The new westside park will be in complete readiness for the occasion with modern playground equipment and a picnic shelter installed, landscaping completed and an entrance fountain erected. Community Leader Pixley, a Maywood businessman for the past 24 years and an outstanding community leader will be present for the event...

Mayor Maymie Anderson will officially dedicate the park with Pixley responding. City Administrator James B. Black will act as master of ceremonies and Mayor pro tem William Gunnell will introduce dignitaries attending. Among those invited are Congressman Del Clawson of the 23rd District, District Attorney Evelle Younger, State Senator Lawrence Walsh of the 30th District, Assemblyman Floyd Wakefield of the 52nd District, Supervisor Ernest Debs and Leo Anderson, potentate of Al Malaikah, their wives, members of the city council and other city officials and department heads. Officers of the Greater Maywood Chamber of Commerce and other other community leaders also will attend. Pixley is a past potentate of Al Malaikah Shrine and currently is serving as ritualistic director. Members of the Pixley Pirates, A Golden State baseball team for boys sponsored by Pixley, will be in charge of the flag ceremonies at the new flagpole at the park. The invocation will be given by Dr. Randall Phillips, pastor of the Wilshire Methodist Church, and Dr. Bill Lawrence of the First Baptist Church of Maywood will give the benediction. 

Following the dedication those attending will join a parade composed of some 1,000 participants including marching bands, a motorcycle unit, clowns, Scouts, veterans and various other local and outside groups as well as a cavalcade of cars. It will continue down Slauson Avenue to Heliotrope Avenue where it will go to Maywood City Park and disband. Earl Shafer, a Los Angeles attorney who has been in charge of the pageant staged for many years at the Shriner's annual North-South All Star game at the Coliseum, will act as parade marshal. Councilman Gunnell will be general chairman of the day. The barbecue at Maywood Park, to which all citizens are invited, will start around 2:30 p.m., with serving to continue until 5 p.m. Free Barbecue The mammoth picnic dinner will be prepared and served by members of the Pescadores Completos... Dick Lauterbach of the Los Pescadores-a group of fishermen (and Shriners) who go on fishing...trips and to which PIxley belongs-will be in charge of the barbecue. The food is being donated by a number of prominent firms, Los Pescadores and other citizens.

Following the picnic lunch there will be a baseball game at the park between the Pixley Pirates and another team to announced later as well as a band concert. Clowns will distribute some 4,000 balloons to the youngsters present, there will be free popcorn for everyone and a number of prizes will be awarded to participants. The day's festivities will conclude with a dance for teenagers at 8 p.m. Prior to the parade, clowns will go up and down Maywood streets inviting everyone to the picnic. Mayor Anderson will be the hostess earlier in the day at a brunch at Anderson's Cuisine in Maywood. Some 100 participants in the dedication ceremony will attend the event at 11 a.m., and afterwards be driven to Pixley Park. "This day promises to be the most important in the history of Maywood," Mrs. Anderson said, "not only in the size and scope of the day's activities but-most important-this is the city's first step to Maywood 1972."

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COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY SERVICE AND FREEMASONRY
My father was involved in some many organizations and activities over the years that its probably impossible to name them all but they include: «u»
MASONIC«/u»: Life member of Harding Lodge # 584 F.& A. M. Master 1954 (later became Hamilton-Harding Lodge #535 Charter member of William B. Ogden Lodge #816 F. & A.M. Member of Southern California Research Lodge Past President Los Angeles Masonic Board of Relief-President 1956 Masonic Service Bureau-Director and President Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of California: By-Laws Committee, Grand Lodge of California 1956-57 Masonic Homes Endowment Fund Committee, 1958-1960 Grand Orator, 1958 Member of the Board of Directors of the California Masonic Foundation Past President-Southern California Past Masters Association- 1975 «u»YORK RITE«/u»: Life member, South Gate Chapter #98, Royal Arch Masons- High Priest-1952 Order of High Priesthood-1952 Member of the Grand Chapter of California Budget & Finance Committee- 1980-81 Life member, Southern California #35 Cryptic Masons Life member, Golden West Commandery #43, Knight Templar

SCOTTISH RITE: Life member of the Los Angeles Scottish Rite Consistory Received the rank and decoration-Knight Commander of the Court of Honour-1963 Coroneted a 33º Mason-1969 Former member of the Personnel Committee Master Kadosh of the Consistory-1970 Junior Warden of the Lodge of Perfection-1971 «u»SHRINE«/u»: Life member of Al Malaikah Temple-Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine Captain of the Golden Boot Patrol-1952 (the Al Malaikah Patrol's 50th anniversary) General Membership Chairman-1953-54 Pageant Director, North-South Shrine Football Game & Pageant- 1952-53 Potentate of Al Malaikah Temple-1960 3 years as Chairman of the Board of Governors, Los Angeles Unit, Shriner Hospital of Crippled Children. Elected Emeritus member- 1980 Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Al Malaikah Auditorium Corporation- 1980-81 Received Honorary Life Memberships in the 60 Shrine Temples located throughout North America. Major Donor to the Al Malaikah building fund-his name appears in the temple foyer-on the Golden Sphinx Wall of Honor «u»

OTHER MASONIC ORGANIZATIONS: Member of Los Angeles Court #84 Royal Court of Jesters Member of the St. Gabriel Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, Sovereign- 1969 Member of the Royal Order of Scotland President of The Robert The Bruce Association-1973 Member Melrose-St. John Council #42 A. M. D. Recipient of the Vierling Kersey Award-1971-from the Ionic Composite Lodge # 520: "for the Mason who has thoughtfully and unselfishly served Masonry and his fellowman"-given to a Mason for his outstanding contributions to youth. Member of the Masonic Press Club «u»

DEMOLAY: DeMolay Honorary Legion of Honor-1953 Life member of the Southern California Preceptory DeMolay Legion of Honor Dean-1967 Appointed a Deputy of the International Supreme Council-1970 Elected an active member in 1972 Executive Officer, Southern California Jurisdiction-1970-77 Grand Junior Steward-1974 Grand Senior Steward-1980 Trustee, International Supreme Council DeMolay Foundation Inc., Member of the Budget & Finance Committee-1981 Past Chairman, California Masonic Associated Youth Organizations Emeritus, Ensign Joseph Sherwayo Mayo DeMolay Loan Fund Trustees Member, Laguna Hills High Twelve Club Chairman, Youth Fund of Southern California Member of the Los Angeles Elks Lodge #99

SERVICE AND SOCIAL GROUPS: Member of the Jonathan Club in Los Angeles, Director, Maywood Chamber of Commerce-1958-9, 1965-7-Vice President-1967 Director, Huntington Park Rotary Club-1962-3, Member of Elk's Lodge #99 in Los Angeles, Honorary Fellowship of the Rotary Foundation from Rotary International-1963 Bob Lynch Rotary International Service Award-1964-5 The Huntington Park Rotary Club established the Melvin A. Pixley- A.F.S. Fund- the interest from which is expended to sponsor a foreign student to study at Huntington Park High School. Life member, Los Angeles Philanthropic Foundation Member of the Board of Directors of the Midnight Mission, President-1972 Past President of The Associates of Saddleback Community Hospital, Laguna Hill

FRATERNITIES: Theta Phi Sigma-Nebraska Wesleyan University which became Zeta Psi, heserved as an Elder.

BUSINESS AND CIVIC GROUPS: Los Angeles B.P.O.E.-Elks Lodge #99 Member of the Los Angeles Jonathan Club; Member of 'Room 614' Member of the California Trucking Association-45 years Member of the Trojan Club of the University of the Southern California Contributor to the Von Kleinsmid Center, School of International Relations at the University of Southern California where he and his daughter's names appear on the wall of donors Contributed to the Student Center-Nebraska Wesleyan University in the names of his wife, daughter and brother-in-law Dr. T.S. Blair whose names appear on plaques in the main room.

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From the Huntington Park Bulletin«/i» newspaper- Thursday, November 8, 1956:
PIXLEY FETED IN NEBRASKA Melvin A. Pixley, 3135 California street was presented with the a special citation* recently at the annual homecoming celebration of Nebraska Wesleyan University at Lincoln, Nebraska, for outstanding activities for others. Mr. and Mrs. Pixley flew to Lincoln for the occasion. He holds numerous honorary memberships and citations in organizations throughout the U. S., and is active in many Masonic Shrine and civic groups. Pixley is past master of Harding Lodge, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, member of the Jonathan club, the Motor Truck association, the Royal Order of Jesters, Elks Lodge 99, Maywood Chamber of Commerce...

• He received the Alumni Loyalty Award in 1956 and also served on the University's Board of Trustees.

GEDCOM Note

"FOR IT IS IN DOING AND GIVING FOR SOMEBODY ELSE"
There are alot of people in this world who think that their father was a wonderful man. I am certainly no exception. And in my father's case, the many who knew him, agreed. If hard work, honesty, integrity, character, a lifelong commitment to the community, to charity, and his fellow man-and a thoughtful, caring nature make a man great-then my father was truly a great man.
He had been at the DeMolay Headguarters in Kansas Cityand was ill by the time he arrived home on Oct. 21st. That evening he took a turn for the worse and in the night was taken to Saddleback Hospital-where he had served as President of their Associates. My children and I arrived that afternoon as did Uncle Ted. My dad never regained consciousness...and he just slipped away from us. As they say in the Shrine-"the Black Camel approached..."

I like to think of it that way. One of the Shriner's wives said that "he died the way he lived, «u»well«/u»." Another one of his friends say that "he wore himself out, doing for others." ('Doing for others' was his motto. And no lived it more fully than he.)

"THE LIGHT OF HIS GLORIOUS DREAMS" These are just some of the tributes that poured in from all over after he died:
This from the Al Malaikahan--the newspaper of the Al Malaikah Shrine Temple, Los Angeles-November 1982 :

                               "GOOD MORNiNG" AT EVENTIDE-MEL PIXLEY 

"Good Morning" Said with enthusiam, that's a good, standard conversation opener. When heard at a "p.m." hour among the Masonic family in Southern California, it has signalled the approach of Mel Pixley, for that's a Pixley trademark. "Good morning!" with the right inflection can be made to mean more than mere reference to time and spoken by the big man it seems to give wings to one's spirit. To Al Malaikah Shriners, their 62nd Illustrious Potentate did not "fade away" when his "Ring the Bell with Mel" year of 1960 ended.

He has come as close to being the Indespensable Man as any the Temple has produced in all of its history. The Masonic concept of the Builder fits Mel to a T.  

A natural leader, he builds the self-esteem of others more than himself. He meets "on the level" and people like to be around him. Golden Boot Patrol He 'Crossed the Sands' at age 34, in Potentate Vierling Kersey's year, and early found his avenue for fun, close fellowship and Temple service in the Al Malaikah Patrol.
The "Golden Boot" Patrol, as the Temple's Senior Unit was known in the decade of the fifties, called Pixley to be its leader in 1952. If you'd like a hint as to Mel's stature, you need only to see the Patrol's 1952 plaque on a wall of the Temple Clubrooms.
There, each of the decade's years is memorialized by an oak shield on which is mounted a bronzed "Arabic" boot of its Captain. Most observant Al Malikahans identify Mel Pixley with big events. If you can remember the Shrine football game of 1953, you'll recall the pageant he directed: 5 divisions, 93 elements, 5,000 paraders. (He rounded out that year with another full-time Shrine duty:
He was Potentate Arch Field's General Membership Chairman as well!) A dynamic producer of parades and Ceremonials, he became known for precision and tight-timing of such events. It is the Ritual role that the Pixley renown is legend.
As Al Malaikah's mammoth stage, "Hollywood" atmosphere and Stagecrafters' skills contributed to the Temples's unparalleled reputation fo super Shrine Ceremonials, so did Mel Pixley contribute the element of perfection in tightly-time Rituals of rare beauty and imagination.

Mel Pixley's "Dream" 

As a Masonic Builder, he turned attention to a longtime ideal, the encouragement of young men, through the Order of DeMolay. "Mel Pixley's Dream" of a first-rate headquarters building for DeMolay in Southern California became a reality, mostly through his zeal and fund raising ability.
Fittingly, he had also been called to serve on DeMolay's Supreme Council. As a Masonic Builder, his service to Al Malaikah hit another high when he became a prime mover in the Renaissance II program for the refurbishment of the Temple complex. His name was among the first major donors to appear on The Golden Sphinx Wall of Honor in the Temple's foyer.

His fellow Nobles continued to elect him to the Temple's Board of Trustees...and his fellows of the Board chose him their Chairman. It was the same during his years of Service on the Board of Governors of Los Angeles Unit, Shriners Hospitals for Crippled Children, where he also served as Chairman. 

Brought Honor to The Fraternity And thus he brought honor to the fraternity, and honor was duly returned: Master of his Lodge; Knight Templar; 33º in Scottish Rite; Royal Order of Scotland; Order of the Red Cross of Constantine; Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge of California. His name is honored at the Midnight Mission, a compassionate fellowship ministering to broken men on society's bitter border in Los Angeles.
The Black Camel
Shortly before Low Twelve in the darkness of October 22, the Black Camel approached Melvin Arthur Pixley, and our Noble Brother, who only a day before had returned home from duty on the Supreme Council of his beloved DeMolay, was called by the Great Architect for higher service.

He left behind a shocked Fraternity, but one consoled through long knowledge that in true Masonic form, his parting from the temporal lodge--and thus, his transitional "Good morning!" to the Higher Presence--was truly "on the square". The next time you Meet, Act and Part...remember Mel Pixley Douglas B. MacMullen Editor-Publisher.

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From «i»The Preceptor«/i»-Order of DeMolay Jurisdiction of Southern California Spring 1983:
DAD PIXLEY LEAVES A LEGACY OF DREAMS
Some men's dreams serve to enlighten their own lives. Other men's dreams enrich the lives of their fellows. There are very few of these second types of men. Sadly, there was one less October 22, when the earthly journey of Melvin Arthur Pixley ended after 70 years among those whose lives he brightened and elevated. Mel Pixley's dream was to improve the lives of those who came after him--the youth of this world. Dad Pixley gave so much of himself for so many years in so many ways to so many people that those whose lives he benefited might not realize the extent of the service he performed for the rest of us. It was his "dream" that became our Dream--a headquarters for the DeMolays of the order's finest jurisdiction.
A former Potentate of Al Malaikah Shrine, he served for three years as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children. His efforts on behalf of the less fortunate youth earned him recognition as a Life Member of 60 Shrine Temples across North America. And, as active as he was in the Masonic Fraternity, his contributions to his community and his neighbors would be considered extraordinary for a dozen men--not just one Dad Pixley.
His giving and giving of himself, without end and with no consideration to his own needs, earned him a Life Membership in the Los Angeles Philanthropic Foundation, a body dedicated to improving the lives of those less fortunate. The Rotary Club of Huntington Park, where Dad Pixley's transportation and commerce business was headquartered, has established a fund to sponsor a foreign student at Huntington Park High School--in the name Melvin A. Pixley.
Nebraska Wesleyan University, where Dad Pixley starred in football, basketball and track, has created a Melvin A. Pixley Athletic Award and Scholarship Fund. Dad Pixley's efforts have been recognized for so many years that the city of Maywood established a Melvin A. Pixley Community Park--in 1967! Only a tremendous amount of energy, borne of a dream of enriching the lives of his many "children", could drive a man to achieve more for the rest of us than scores of others in many lifetimes. Where could he have found the time?...As well as raising a wonderful family? For a man who dreamt of helping others,
Dad Pixley must have had little time to sleep! Those of us in DeMolay, of course, remember him for what he bestowed upon us, most importantly the eight years he served as the Executive Officer of our Southern California Jurisdiction.
His DeMolay history, however stretches back behond our memories, and even beyond our years: Dad Pixley received the Legion of honor in 1952. For his toil for his younger brothers, such as his work as Dean of the Southern California Legion of Honor in 1967, he was honored by being made a Deputy of the International Supreme Council in 1970, and an active Member two years later. In addition to serving as our Executive Officer from 1970 to 1977...he also served the ISC as Grand Junior Steward in 1974 and Grand Senior Steward in 1980... Active...active...active.
Dad Mel Pixley was active 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, translating his dreams into our successes and glories, enriching the lives of all he encountered, touching the lives of many he never met and will never know, but will always love. Our earthly lives will ever be brightened by the light of his glorious dreams.

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From the Huntington Park Daily Signal, Oct 26, 1982:
Maywood businessman-philanthropist Melvin A. Pixley succumbs at 70
Longtime Maywood businessman and philanthropist, Melvin A. Pixley, 70, died Friday at a Laguna Hills hospital. Pixley was born in Wichita, Kans., on July 10, 1912. He attended public schools in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska and attended Nebraska Wesleyan University. In 1936, he moved to California and the Southeast area, purchased the Huntington Park and Los Angeles Transfer company and began his trucking business.

The business continued to grow and he became involved in warehousing and investments. Until 1981, the Pixley Enterprises continued to have an office in Maywood.  

Last year, the office was moved to Anaheim. During his years in the Southeast area, Pixley was very active in the community. He belonged to many civic and service organizations including the York Rite, Scottish Rite and Masonic Orders. Pixley was a director of the Maywood Chamber of Commerce for two separate terms and served one term as vice president.
He also served as a director for the Huntington Park Rotary Club.in 1962 and 1963. He received an Honorary Fellowship of the Rotary Foundation from Rotary International, the Bob Lynch Rotary International Service Award. In 1967 the city of Maywood named a park after Pixley honoring him for his many services to the city. ...Pixley sponsored football teams and baseball teams-(the Pixley Pirates) for many years.
He also gave the city a trust fund which provided the money for Maywood's fourth of July celebration. ....Whenever the park needed equipment...Pixley was always willing to help..."He never let us down". Mr. Pixley is survived by his wife, Bertie; daughter Barbara Pixley; two grandchildren, "Thumper" and "Bootsie" Pixley

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From the«i» Los Angeles Scottish Rite Bulletin«/i»-November 1982:
Hundreds Attend Last Rites For illustrious Melvin Pixley, 33º, who succumbed to a heart attack on October 22. Warm, personal tributes and eulogies were delivered by longtime friends and peers, and also former Grand Orators, Illustrious Ralph H. Head, 33º, PVM, and Illustrious Burton Meyer, Jr., 33º PVM, Past Grand Master. Melvin Arthur Pixley was born in Wichita, Kansas, July 10, 1912. He attended Nebraska Weleyan University where he was a 3-letter man and later served for 12 years on the Board of Trustees.
The University established an athletic and scholarship award there in his name... "Dynamic" fitted Mel to a "T". He belonged to everything and took an aggressive part in every activity he became associated with. Transportation, warehousing, ranching and investments occupied his business life...while Lodge, Scottish Rite, York Rite, DeMolay and Shrine took the other hours of his typical days. Brother Mel was a Past Master of Hamilton-Harding Lodge No. 535, and a member of Southern California Research Lodge.
He served as director and president of the Los Angeles Masonic Service Bureau...on several Grand Lodge committees...was Grand Orator in 1958...and a member of the California Masonic Foundation. Since becoming a 32º Scottish Rite Mason in 1946, he served as Master of Kadosh, of the Los Angeles Consistory in 1970...and was an effective and vigorous general membership chairman.
Sir Mel was invested with the Rank and Decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour in 1963 and coroneted a 33º Inspector General Honorary in 1969. Since completing a highly successful year as Potentate of Al Malaikah Temple in 1960, Noble Mel continued to build an outstanding record of service in the recent construction of the Temple, in addition to ongoing promotion of the Shriners' Hospital for Crippled Children. Many members recall that while he was Potentate of Al Malikah Temple in 1960,

Pixley and his Divan selected and donated the electronic organ for our great new Scottish Rite's Cathedral's main auditorium. Years of "Dad" Pixley's life were proudly devoted to the Order of DeMolay...logically culminating in his appointment as Executive officer for the Southern California jurisdiction. 

He was honored with the Legion of Honor and in 1967 elected Dean of the Southern California Preceptory. 

The Illustrious Pixley was possibly the only Scottish Rite member in the Valley of Los Angeles who had a Park named after him...in the City of Maywood.
He has been named by many other civic groups and was especially proud of his association with the nationally acclaimed Midnight Mission, as a Director of the Board. Sir Knight Pixley was an enthusiastic member of the York Rite Bodies and was a Past High Priest of Melrose Chapter of the Royal Arch. He was a Past Sovereign of the Red Cross of Constantine, a member of the Royal Order of Jesters.

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The August 1983 the new Class of Scottish Rite Masons was named the: Illustrious Melvin A. Pixley, 33º Memorial Reunion Class of 1983 Southland Master Masons Invited to Join Historic 'Melvin A. Pixley Memorial Class In naming this class in Mel's memory, we have elected to "Honor him, who honored us" «i»The Scottish Rite Bulletin«/i»-August & September 1983

Mel Pixley, Late Al Malaikah Past Potentate To be Honored by the Los Angeles Scottish Rite ...to honor the memory of an Al Malaikahan whose extraordinary service to the fraternity endeared him to countless Shriners... «i» Al Malaikahan «/i»newspaper.

Exerpt from the Eulogy delivered by Ralph H Head 33º-Oct. 27, 1982: Whenever men and women join together, as we are doing today, there must be good cause, and would suggest that there we are here for two reasons. We are here to share the loss of Melvin Arthur Pixley, for by sharing that loss, particularly with his family, we lend strenghth and support to each other... And secondly, we are here to celebrate his life. Even though we are lessened by his leave-taking, we celebrate the life of Mel Pixley, because few in our times have contributed so much toward making this a better world...

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Exerpt from the Eulogy delivered by Burton Meyer Jr., 33º-Oct. 27, 1982:
How does one express a fitting tribute for a dear and close friend? Words become inadequate. So many memories bring joy to the heart...Melvin Arthur Pixley was someone very special to each of us... Mel has left a legacy-A legacy of friends and oustanding accomplishments. Working with our youth was soul-satisfying to Mel because he believed , as he said -youth is America's greatest asset...
He brought much happiness to our youth by being a part of their lives. Mel's love for people was evident. Friendship is one of life's treasured values and his loyalty to his friends has become a legend. Mel's principles and manifold virtues set exemplary standards.
He was continually giving to others as a way of life. Mel received satisfaction from serving rather than being served, and never thinking of himself. He was a thoughtful host, always showing warm and gracious hospitality. How do we judge the greatness of a man? Some may say that it is the depth of his intellect and his capacity for human understanding and compassion-or by his commitment to others and his sense of justice. Others may say that it is his ability to lead other men and influence them to believe the cause he espouses. All of these, and more, are the greatness of Mel Pixley...
To the many, many friends to whom he bids farewell, we can say that the world in which we live has been enriched for us because he passed this way. Mel's entire life was reflected in his favorite poem:

For it is in doing and giving For somebody else, On this, all life's splendors depend. And the joys of this world, When you some them all up Are found in the love Of your family and friends.

[That poem was placed on a plaque on the wall at Pixley Park in Maywood.]

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A DAUGHTER'S GOLDEN MEMORIES It is said that any man can be a "father" but it takes someone special to be a "daddy"...I truly had a "daddy"and I was indeed 'daddy's little girl'. (He loved the song of the same name) He called me 'Bobsie', 'your Bobs' and Snooks, and used to lovingly that say I was "worth a quarter"--Years later I had cufflinks made for him from two quarters set in silver hearts. He wore them often.

How lucky I was. All of my friends loved my dad...and still recall the good times we had.  In high school, college & after. A tall and handsome man with a deep, resonant voice, he had a true commanding presence.  He was also a true gentleman. A sentimental man who never missed a birthday or special occasion, sending a thank you note or a note, letter or gift-- just because he was thinking of you.  He used to say that  "the world is yours for the giving"...and give of himself, he did. And how he loved his grandchildren: Randy, he called "Thumper" or 'My Pardner" and his grandaughter Christy, was his "Bootsie".  I only wish they could have known him longer. During the early 1940s my dad would visit his office in Oakland & I would often go along with him. We would travel on the train-the wonderful 'Lark' that left Union Station in LA at 9pm & arrived in San Francisco at 9am.  We always had a roomette...How I loved to fall alsleep listening to the train clicking along the tracks. Or we would take the plane from Burbank airport.  I remember the United DC-3s, my first plane rides. The great service, & good food. (it's true!)  We would 'do the town' in San Francisco.  

Staying at the St. Francis Hotel, there were wonderful dinners in the Mural Room with a floorshow. I remember Harry Owens & his Royal Hawaiians with Hilo Hattie doing the 'Hilo Hop'. And a highlight was my first dance with my dad on the dance floor therre. I was about 8 years old & other dancers would watch us & smile at the dad & his young daughter. It was a wonderful time.
During the war, my dad entertained alot & I was often included in those gatherings. Sometimes we went to nightclubs including: The Florentine Gardens, Slapsy Maxies (Ted Lewis singing "Me & My Shadow") The Biltmore Bowl. Sometimes I would celebrate birthdays in these places. At the Pirate's Den in Hollywood, comedian Doodles Weaver (uncle of Sigourney), said there was "a little lady in the house celebrating her 80th birthday"...The spotlight went on me & everyone laughed..He said he meant 8 not 80! The Mural Room & all of the other venues are gone now, but the memories are not!
In 1947 we spent Easter Week in Las Vegas. It was just starting then. We stayed at the The Flamingo Hotel. (Bugsy Siegel had just "left the scene") In those early trips I remember the days of real stars: Pearl Bailey, Peggy Lee, Betty Grable...on & on...Those were days when a performer with their talent, personality & magnetism-with a single spotlight-could hold an audience without the need for blinding lights, mega-decibel 'music' & lots of 'stuff...
Frank Sinatra & the Rat Pack with Sammy Davis Jr. Dean Martin, Peter Lawford & Joey Bishop: What times those were-the electricity in the room at the Sands when Frankie would come onstage & later his pals would appear. You «u»had«/u» to be there. Also the great lounge shows & he hotel marquees read like a 'Who's Who' of show business. I spoke briefly to our cousin actress Marilyn Maxwell one time when she was appearing in a show there. (See her notes.) I used to ride a friend's horses near the 'strip'.

It really had  a small town feel in those days & it makes me sad to see it now: alot of overgrown faux, crass, overblown megabuildings, overproduced shows & too many people...the heart is gone.  Anyone who remembers the early days, knows what I mean. I'm glad I saw it when I did, (and Hawaii & Honolulu too)-in the good old days. They will never come again. But how many wonderful memories I have--and all those years growing up with the Shriners...

There were the wonderful people I was fortunate to know... Successful professional and businessmen and ladies for which the Masonic fraternity was a place of great comraderie and lifelong friendships--and good works such as the Shrine'rs Hospitals and Masonic Homes. The Shrine Auditorium where Oscar & Emmy Shows have been held...was the site of terrific Shrine Family Shows. I 'd go backstage & meet some the show's stars like Jane Powell, Debbie Reynolds & the aforementioned Joey Bishop. And, because of my dad, I would get great seats for the opera & ballet etc. Those were the days!
There were many members of the "Hollywood Set" set who were Shriners-members of the Beverly Hills & Hollywood Shrine Clubs. My dad was a good friend of Harold Lloyd, the great silent film star who had been Imperial Potentate in 1949. The Shrine Convention was held in Los Angeles-the camels in the parade wore his trademark horn-rimmed glasses. Also Shriners were Cecille B. DeMille , Louis B. Mayer- producers and directors like Mervyn Leroy, and Norman Taurog and actor Ernest Borgnine.
My dad helped initiate Roy Rogers and John Wayne (1970) when they became Shriners. He & Roy Rogers rode on the Shrine float in the Hollywood parade one year. We have some nice pictures of all of this. One memorable evening at the Beverly Hills Shrine Club-during my dad's term as Potentate-they put on a version of the TV Show 'This is Your Life'...showing events in my dads life.
The Shrine Ceremonials at Al Malaikah Temple were truly grand Hollywood productions as some of the members of the Stagecraft & other Shrine organizations were actually involved in movie production. The Sheriff of Los Angeles and the Assistant Chief of Police were members of Al Malaikah as was Vierling Kersey, the Superintendant of the L.A. City Schools.. He was Potentate the year my dad joined. Al Malaikah was the largest Shrine in North America. Those were the days!

Of course the Shriners were known for their zany love of fun.  I can never forget the silliness, laughter and on-going gags...some of which truly went on and on. My father and another Shriner had a $100 bet on something--My dad lost--but sent the money in pennies!---all in a large jar of honey...He won the next bet and got the pennies back in cement!. A Shriner mentioned he was having trouble finding a good gardener...So, soon after,  he came home to find goats "mowing his lawn".. None could forget my dad's requisite finale to any event...no matter how late (or early) the hour..There we would be-sometimes in the 'wee small hours'-who knows where?-having chili and crackers (and cherry pie!)  And I learned from my dad that 'milk toast' could cure anything...which, I have found over the years is true! 

During 1960, his year as potentate, it was: 'Ring the Bell for Mel"-( the ladies were known as Mel's Belles & wore jackets with that embroidered on the back)-and always his iconic greeting (or' comment')--"Good Morning" "(which was embroidered on his handkerchiefs)..and a close second was: "No Problem". There were the San Francisco East West Games for the Shriners Hospitals. We stayed at the Fairmont...& as in earlier years at the St. Francis, enjoyed the seeing the floorshows such as The Mills Brothers.
At the 1960 Western Shrine Convention in Honolulu-'The Happiness Cruise'- a life-sized stuffed 'toy' buffalo had accompanied the group aboard ship. Upon arrival it was placed in the foyer of the Surfrider Hotel...and disappeared! ( The Shrine Patrol-no doubt)--and we all went around with buttons-" WHO stole our buffalo? My dad even received a giftbox of 'gilded buffalo chips' as a "ransom" payment. The poor buffalo finally reappeared! You could go into any bathroom in town, walk into a stall, and there would be a sign: 'Los Angeles City Limits' 'courtesy' of the Al Malaikah Shrine Patrol. I even got to do the hula with one of the Shriner's wives at a dinner party in the Monarch Room of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel--as a surprise for my dad. What fun! Theme songs included "Heart of My Heart" and his favorite, "Dream".

We have had a long tradition that when in Honolulu, we would always have a farewell drink at the Aloha Bar in the Moana Hotel...to toast good people and  good memories. There have been alot of both. My dad's Shrine Trip for his year as Potentate was to Japan and Hong Kong. Again much fun!  We were even entertained by some Indian Shriners in Hong Kong in their lovely home.  

The flight back was Japan Airline's first jet flight from Tokyo and my dad was pictured in the L.A. newspapers when they arrived. What wonderful memories of good times, trips and talks with my dad. He was the 'rock' for our family. There have been so many treasured years that I have spent and friendships made in Job's Daughters, later in Eastern Star and Daughters of the Nile: All of them gifts of my dad's Masonic legacy... It was a time that will probably never come again in a "place" that is no longer there. How fortunate I was to be at the right place at the right time...and to be his daughter.

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My friends in school, Job's Daughters and throughout his life-also thought my dad was special. I have so many notes from them expressing their love and admiration for him down through the years.
Here are exerpts from the Librarian's Report written-read at my first meeting- (June 18, 1953) after being installed Honored Queen of Job's Daughters-(Queen Elizabeth II was also crowned queen that month.)

                                                          "A Queen and Her Dad" 

Since Dads must share honors this Coronation month with Queens, I have chosen for my topic tonight, "A Queen and Her Dad". In far off England a lovely young queen was crowned. Many duties await her... It is the task for which a father devotedly trained her...They used to walk hand in hand, a perfect picture of father and daughter...Her thoughts must have been with him often during the hours of her coronation. But we have a queen too--Bobbie--"Our Queen in Coronation". She's won our admiration! Statuesque and calm yet she's full of fun, She'll guide our Bethel fair and true until her term is done." And back of Bobbie is a kind and loving dad too. Always there when she needs him, his courage and help have done much to form her character, In Bobbie's own words... "He's such a dear, her number one 'financier' (my dad loved that). Now a wish for lots of luck a happy year all. And although fate may make some days sad, I pray tonight Heaven's blessings fall on a Queen and her Dad. Vivian Brady Bethel Librarian