Chapter J – The Beginning

In the beginning before Chapter J was chartered, five couples met for the first time in the spring of 1984, at the Big Wheel Restaurant in Kokomo, Indiana.  They were Will & Wilma Earnheart, Mike & Suzanne Eikenberry, Bob & Becky McJunkins, Lee & Lin Eckert and Gene & Colleen Clark.  They weren’t sure what would come of this meeting, as they had only talked on the phone and knew they were planning to attend “Wing Ding ‘84’” in Branson, Missouri.  They thought they might go together and see what a “Wing Ding” was and learn more about the Gold Wing Road Riders Association.  Gene and Colleen Clark could not go to Wing Ding due to a Prior commitment, but Bob & Becky McJunkins and Mike & Suzanne Eikenberry planned to go together, they weren’t really sure if they wanted to ride that far with strangers or not.  But after their meeting at the Big Wheel Restaurant they knew they wouldn’t be going with strangers, because like the saying goes “Strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet”. 

During the next couple of months plans to have a Gold Wing Road Riders Association chapter in Kokomo began.  Lee Eckert had originally planned to attend the October, 1984 state meeting, but when he found out it was the same day as his and Lin’s wedding, he changed his mind.  Will and Wilma Earnheart went instead.  They became Chapter J’s first Area Representative, with Lee and Lin Eckert serving as Assistants Area Representatives.

After much preparation, the first monthly meeting of Chapter J was held on January 13^th, 1985, at the World Inn Motel Restaurant in Kokomo.

Chapter J – Area Representatives/Chapter Directors

1985 – 2007

Will & Wilma Earnheart, 1985-86

Mike & Suzanne Eikenberry, 1986-87

Bob & Becky McJunkins, 1988

Harold & Linda Mouser, 1989-91

Gene & Colleen Clark, 1992-94

Larry & Shirlene Keith, 1995-97

Danny & Minnie Titus, 1998-99

Rudy & Peggy Merryman, 2000-02

Bill & Tammy Johnson, 2003

Duane & Joyce Davis, 2003-04

Mark & Durenda Mackey, 2004-