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JAMES C. HERNDON
Right Eminent Department Commander (2006-2009)
Northwestern Department
- Sir Knight James C. Herndon was born on July 26, 1941, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the eldest child of John Charles and Lucile Tway Herndon. Shortly after he was born, his parents returned to the Herndon family home in Salmon, Idaho. He was raised in Idaho. He received his primary and secondary school education in Salmon and was graduated in 1959. He attended the University of Idaho and was graduated with a Bachelor of Science (journalism) in 1963 and Juris Doctor of Law (J.D.) in 1966.
Sir Knight Herndon is married to the former Tommye R. Low. He has five children: Heidi, Lora, Sarah, Lacrecia, and John and fourteen grandchildren.
In 1966 Sir Knight Herndon was admitted to practice law in state and federal courts in Idaho. He maintained a general practice of law in Salmon, Idaho, for twenty years with emphasis in the areas of real estate, municipal, mining and water law, together with commercial and personal injury litigation. He also served three terms as the county attorney prosecuting criminal cases. He also was a partner in an insurance agency and a land title company.
Active in his community, he is a past director of the Salmon Valley Chamber of Commerce, a past president of the North Idaho Chamber of Commerce, past director of the University of Idaho Foundation, past director of the Salmon Rotary Club, past secretary of the Lemhi Irrigation District, and a past Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE), Lodge No. 1620. He also is the recipient of the Salmon Jaycees Distinguished Service Award.
In 1986 Sir Knight Herndon was elected a district judge and the Herndons moved to Blackfoot where they now live. The district courts in Idaho are the courts of original jurisdiction in all criminal and civil cases. Judge Herndon presided over a district court in Idaho's Seventh Judicial District for twenty years, including fourteen years as the Administrative Judge when he supervised four other district judges and thirteen magistrates (limited jurisdiction). He retired on December 31, 2006. He is a past president of the Idaho Judges Association, a member of several Supreme Court/Idaho Bar committees, including the committee on Civil Rules and Bench/Bar and Media Committee. He remains active in Rotary.
He is a member of the Sigma Chi social fraternity and in 2006 was presented the Jesse E. Buchanan award "for outstanding service to the community and exemplifying the spirit and ideals of Sigma Chi."
In 1987 Sir Knight Herndon was ordined a deacon in the Diocese of Idaho, Protestant Episcopal Church, and continues to serve in that capacity.
Sir Knight Herndon has a strong Masonic history. His father Charles was a Past Master of Lemhi Lodge No. 11 at Salmon, Past Grand High Priest of Salmon Chapter No. 14, RA.M., member of the Shrine, and a Past Commander of Salmon Commandery No.9, Knights Templar, and Grand Master of Masons in Idaho in 1961-1962. His mother and father were active in the Order of the Eastern Star. Sir Knight Herndon's uncle Joe Herndon served not only as Master of his lodge but also as Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons of Idaho and Grand Commander, Knights Templar of Idaho. His grandfather Herndon and a great uncle Ashley were also Masters of Lemhi Lodge No. 11, and his maternal grandfather, R R Tway, and his uncle Jack Tway were active in Masonry in Oklahoma, especially the Scottish Rite and the Shrine.
Sir Knight Herndon was raised a Master Mason in Lemhi Lodge No. 11, AF. & AM., by his father on September 24, 1964. He served as Master of Lemhi No. 11 in 1971 and 1979. Later he became a dual member in Grove City Lodge No. 33 at Blackfoot and was Master in 1997, 1998, and 1999. He was the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Idaho in 2005-2006. He has served on most Grand Lodge committees and presently is chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee.
In Capitular Masonry, Sir Knight Herndon was exalted in Salmon Chapter No. 59, R.AM., Salmon, Idaho, serving as Excellent High Priest in 1973 and 1974. He also belongs to Idaho Falls Chapter No. 10 and was Excellent High Priest in 2002-2003. He currently serves the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Idaho as the Royal Arch Captain. He has chaired the Jurisprudence and Finance Committees.
Sir Knight Herndon is the Illustrious Grand Chancellor of the United Grand Imperial Council of the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine. He was installed in St. Charles Conclave at Pocatello, Idaho, on June 10, 1989, and is a Past Sovereign. He was appointed Vice Intendant General, Division of Idaho, in 2002; Intendant General, Division of Idaho, in 2003; Grand Almoner in 2005; and Grand Chancellor in 2006.
In Cryptic Masonry, Sir Knight Herndon belongs to Jeremiah Council No. 9 at Idaho Falls, where he served as Illustrious Master in 2002-2003. He currently is the Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Idaho.He is a member of the Order of the Silver Trowel and of the Council of Thrice Illustrious Masters.
In Chivalric Masonry, Sir Knight Herndon was created a Knight Templar in 1967 in Salmon Commandery No.9. He served as Eminent Commander in 1974, 1992, 1993, and 1994. He affiliated (dual) with Idaho Falls Commandery No.6, where he is currently the Eminent Commander. Sir Knight Herndon, KCT, is also a Past Grand Commander (2000-2001). He is a member of Redemption Tabernacle No. XL, HRAKTP, and Knights of the York Cross of Honour, Priory No. 13, and a member of Fidelity Council No. 277.
Other Masonic affiliations include: Allied Masonic Degrees (Past Sovereign); Tri-Valley No. 178, York Rite College; Hugh Duncan No.2, Order of the Eastern Star; Past Associate Grand Guardian of Idaho, International Order of Job's Daughters; Advisor and recipient of Legion of Honor, Order of DeMolay.
In the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Sir Knight Herndon received his 32º on April 23, 1977, in the Boise Valley, Southern Jurisdiction.
He was nominated KCCH on November 5, 2005.
Sir Knight Herndon was created a member of El Korah Shrine, Imperial Council, AAONMS, at Boise, Idaho. He continues to serve as an Ambassador.
Sir Knight James C. Herndon was appointed R.E. Department Commander, Northwestern Department, by Most Emwent Grand. Master Richard B. Baldwin at the 63rd Triennial Conclave of the Grand Encampment, August 16, 2006, in Houston, Texas.
| Volume LIII - Number 7 | ||
| Page5-James Hendon,REDC,BIO | Page6-Douglas Mitchell,REDC,BIO | Page7-George Chipouras,REDC,BIO |
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