Jay Thomas found himself perched on the stationary Elks “roastee” chair of honor Saturday as “roasters” Ken Pulskamp, Tim Burkhart, Don Fleming and Darrel Paulk prepared to send him on the ride of his life at the 12th annual Elks Roast.

Thomas, park president of Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor, endured the insults and scandalous comments with a giant grin.

At the end of the evening he returned as good as he got with a clever and amusing “rebuttal.”

The annual charity roast included a barbecue dinner prepared by the Elks Bar B Que Committee with a special Dutch oven cobbler, cooked over coals by Bud Houston, manager of construction at Six Flags Magic Mountain and an Elks Club member.

After an extended social hour, guests were able to bid on almost a dozen live auction items including a diamond bracelet, Six Flags Sky Tower Experience, “Sweet Lord” golf package with City Councilman Bob Kellar and the “Entertainment Tonight VIP Package.”

The evening raised nearly $35,000 to benefit the Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers, which provide primary care health services to the uninsured and underinsured.

“We appreciate the community support we received through the roast, and especially in the leadership of Bob Kellar and Jay Thomas, who know what an impact the Roast has on our ability to care for people in the community,” said Cheryl Laymon, executive director of the Dixon Centers. “They and the roasters. Tim Burkhart, Ken Pulskamp, Darrel Paulk and the best of the best, Don Fleming, all pushed to the limit to raise funds for us.”

Thomas said he was “extremely honored” to be considered as the Elks honoree.

“The great thing about the Samuel Dixon Foundation is that they are truly out in the community trying to help people,” he said. “They are a great organization.”

Before the roast got underway, Don Fleming took the stage to present the first “Socieity for Politically Incorrect Talking” award to Kellar, who has raised controversy with his recent comments on illegal immigration.

The plaque showed a photo of Kellar with a foot in his mouth.

Known in previous years for its “blue” content, this year’s Elks Roast raised the bar on clean humor.

Roaster Ken Pulskamp, Santa Clarita city manager, teased Thomas about his ever-present smile.

“He’s got that big smile plastered on his face, that kind of vacant look in his eye,” said Pulskamp. “It’s not a joke, it just kind of freaks me out.”

Pulskamp continued with some of Thomas’ planned changes at the park.

“Here’s a few of the ideas Jay couldn’t get approved at the park — E. coli: The Experience. A roller coaster through the digestive system,” Pulskamp said, as the audience laughed loudly.

He continued with “The Old Glory Sitting Tree” and the “Jay Thomas Hugging Booth.”

Tim Burkhart, general manager of Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor — and a direct reporter to Thomas — pulled no punches at the roast.

“I’m not saying that Jay doesn’t work hard at the park. In fact he does the work of three men,” said Burkhart. “Larry, Curly and Moe.”

Fleming and Paulk worked as a team with Fleming donning judges robes and calling himself “Judge Hank ‘em High Fleming.” He brought along a hanging rope that he handed to Thomas.

Fleming and Paulk put Thomas on trial for “indecent exposure.”

Paulk accused Thomas, who was born in Texas, of having a “red neck” when walking around Six Flags in the summer.

He was also accused of “cheating on a loved one,” which involved Thomas being spotted riding roller coasters at other theme parks.

Fleming ended up sentencing Thomas to pledging $3,000 to the Samuel Dixon Family Health Center for the next three years.

“We’re a better place because of you, and we love you a lot,” said Fleming.

Thomas received a standing ovation.

The evening ended with Thomas showing a series of funny, altered photos of his roasters as clowns, members of a boy band, nuns and body builders.

The evening ended with a slide of Kellar shown on the big screen at the front of the room with the word “hero” under his photo. The crowd gave Kellar a standing ovation.

Contributions of any amount are always welcome. People can send a check or cash to Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers at 25115 W. Avenue Stanford, A-104, Valencia CA 91355 or at www.sdfhc.org and contribute via credit card on line.