of Knights Templar of the United States of America |
"Knowing Me, Knowing You"
William H. Koon II, GCT
M. E. Grand Master (2007 - 2012)
of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar
President of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.
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S.K. Koon was born in Lima, Ohio on March 12, 1949 to William H. and Vivian Brown Koon. He is a graduate of Bath High School, and attended the Ohio State University. He is a member of the Columbus Grove United Church of Christ. Bill is married to Elizabeth Jane Thornley, and they reside less than a mile from the family farm where he grew up near Columbus Grove, Ohio. They have a daughter, Andrea Koon Gillespie; son-in-law, Adam Gillespie; two grandsons, Adam Kade Gillespie, Silas Robert Gillespie; and son, William Steven Winebrenner. Bill is the President of Lord's Enterprises Inc. and Republic Mills Inc., both family agri-businesses including, livestock feed manufacturing, grain elevators, and a farming operation. He is involved in many professional and civic organizations, both locally, and statewide.
Masonically, Bill is a Senior DeMolay of Fidelity Chapter in Lima, and holds the Chevalier, Cross of Honor, Active Legion of Honor, is an Active Member of the International Supreme Council Order of DeMolay, and in 2006 was invested with the DeMolay Grand Cross. He was raised a Master Mason in 1970 in Ada Lodge No. 344, and demitted to Rufus Putnam Lodge No. 364 in Columbus Grove, where he served 3 years as Worshipful Master. In 2001 he became a dual member of Ft. Amanda Lodge No. 706 in Lima. He is a Past High Priest of Lima Chapter No. 49 RAM, and Past Illustrious Master of Lima Council No. 20 R&SM. In 2008 Bill was appointed the Grand Representative of the Grand Council of Romania R&SM near the Grand Council of Ohio. He was Knighted in Shawnee Commandery No. 14 by his father on March 13, 1971, and was elected Eminent Commander in 1980. He is a member of Shawnee Commandery No. 14 Drill Team, marching in 7 Triennial Drills beginning in Chicago in 1973, including twice as Captain. He is a member, and Charter Commander of St. George Commandery No. 76, Ivanhoe Commandery No. 54, Van Wert, OH, St. Bernard Commandery No. 41, Denver, CO, Frankfort Commandery No. 4, Frankfort, KY, and Blaney Commandery No. 5, Tremont, IL. In addition to Ohio, Bill is a member and voting delegate of the Grand Commanderies of Ohio, Colorado, Illinois, and Kentucky. In 2006, Bill was elected an Honorary Member of the Wyoming Black Horse Troop.
Sir Knight Koon first served the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Ohio, as an Aide-de-Camp to S.K. William J. Faul, KCT, during his term as Grand Commander and received the Meritorious Service Award for his efforts in 1981. Bill served the First Division of the Grand Commandery of Ohio as Deputy Division Commander from 1985 - 1987, and was appointed Grand Sentinel by Sir Knight Frank W. Crane, KCT, REGC in 1987. He was elected Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Ohio on September 13, 1996. In 2007 he was declared a Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Ohio and its Jurisdiction, PHA. In 2009 he was made an Honorary Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Virginia. In June 2009 he was elected an Honorary Past Commander of King Ferdinand Commandery No. 1 in Bucharest, Romania, and at the LXIV Triennial he was elected an Honorary Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Romania, which was the first official action taken after the formation of that Grand Commandery.
Bill served the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the USA, as a member of the Easter Sunrise Breakfast Committee, and an ad-hoc member of the Committee on Drill Regulations from 1991 - 1994, and was Co-Chairman of the Committee on Drill Regulations during the 1994 - 1997 Triennium. He served 8 years as the personal Aide to S.K. Ned E. Dull, GCT, MEPGM of the Grand Encampment, and as the Affinity Coordinator for the Knights Templar Eye Foundation MasterCard program from 1991 to 1999. Bill was invested with the rank and dignity of Knight Commander of the Temple by the Grand Encampment in 1992, and is currently the Deputy for the Ohio KCT Program. He was appointed Department Commander of the East Central Department for the 1997 - 2000 Triennium. Bill was elected Right Eminent Grand Captain General of the Grand Encampment on August 15, 2000 in Nashville, Tennessee. Upon Installation into that Office, he was invested with the Knight Grand Cross of the Temple. On August 16, 2006, he was installed as Right Eminent Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Encampment. In 2007, he was appointed Grand Representative of the Great Priory of the United Masonic, Religious and Military Orders of The Temple and Sepulcher and of The Hospital of Saint-John of Jerusalem and of Palestine, Rhodes and Malta for France near the Grand Encampment, and in 2009 was advanced to the Honor and Dignity of the Knight Grand Cross (pro causa). Upon the resignation of S.K. Richard B. Baldwin, GCT, MEGM on August 28, 2007 for reasons of health, he was installed as Most Eminent Grand Master by S.K. Thurman Cleveland Pace, KGC, MEHPGM. On August 18, 2009, he was elected by acclamation as Most Eminent Grand Master for the LXV Triennium, and was installed the next day, again by Sir Knight Thurman Cleveland Pace, KGC, MEHPGM. Five Days later he was made an Honorary Member and Honorary Past Supreme Grand Master of the Sovereign Great Priory of Canada.
Illustrious Brother Koon is a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Toledo and a dual member of the Valley of Dayton, receiving the Thirty-Third Degree from the Supreme Council Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, NMJ, in Grand Rapids on September 23, 1997. In June, 2004 he was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Valley of Toledo, and in 2008 was elected Chairman. In 2007 he was made an Honorary Knight Commander Court of Honor (KCCH) of the Valley of New Orleans, Louisiana.
He is a member of appendant organizations including, Royal Order of Scotland; Zenobia Temple AAONMS of Toledo, OH, their Crusader Unit, and the Lima Shrine Club; Charter Sovereign and current Recorder of Charlemagne Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine in Lima, OH, Dual Member of Holy Grail Conclave, in Dayton, OH, Honorary Member of St. Leonard Conclave, in Jackson MS, St. Hilary Conclave, Ft. Wayne, IN, Lafayette Conclave, Athens, OH, St. Columba Conclave, Cincinnati, OH, and served the United Grand Imperial Council of the Red Cross of Constantine as Grand Herald 1999 - 2000, Intendant General at Large 2002 - 2003, and was invested with the Knight Commander of Constantine by the Imperial Council RCC of France in 2007; Past Preceptor of Prince of Peace Tabernacle X, HRAKTP, Past Grand Preceptor of the Grand College of America, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, and awarded the GC (Grand Cross) of the Order, One of Five Honorary Members of the Grand College of Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, York, England, and recipient of their Certificate of Merit. In 2009 he was Knighted in Rose of Sharon Priory No. 2, Knights of the York Cross of Honor and advanced to the rank and dignity of Knight Grand Cross of the York Cross of Honor with one Quadrant. He is an honorary member of Lily of the Valley Priory No. 1.
Bill was the Charter and Past Chief Adept, IX° Grade, Ohio College SRICF, Honorary Member of Illinois College, New Jersey College, and Wisconsin College SRICF, in 1998 he was elected Junior Deputy Supreme Magus, and invested with the rank and title of Knight Grand Cross (KGC), and on February 8, 2007, he was elected Supreme Magus of the High Council SRICF, and on February 7, 2008 was awarded the Knight Grand Cross (KGC) of the former SRIG (Societas Rosicruciana in Gallia), he has been honored as an Honorary Past Supreme Magus of the SRIC (Societas Rosicruciana in Canada), and SRIR (Societas Rosicruciana in Romania); Centennial College No. 87, Blackstone College No. 195, Sovereign York Rite College, Order of the Purple Cross of York 1997; Past Sovereign of Buckeye Council No. 92 AMD, Charter Member Shawnee Council No. 355 AMD, Awarded the Red Branch of Eri, and appointed Grand Tyler of the Grand Council AMD in 2005; Past Grand Chancellor of the Grand College of Rites of the USA; Charter Member of Irish Council No. 67 Knight Masons of the USA; Past Grand Tall of Ohio Northern Forest No. 188 Tall Cedars of Lebanon; Most Eminent Supreme Grand Master ad vitam, and Grand Commander Occidental of the Royal Society of Knights Occidental; Secretary of the Program Committee for AMD Week in Washington D.C.; Daniel Boone Chapter of National Sojourners Inc; Past-President of the Forty-Fivers; Grove Chapter No. 527 OES; Lima Shrine No. 20, White Shrine of Jerusalem; Bryn Athyn Quarry Assemblage, Allentown, PA, and High Twelve International Club No. 590.
9/1/2009
Name in Full: William Howard Koon II
Templar Office: Most Eminent Grand Master
Date, Place of Birth: March 12, 1949, Lima, Ohio
Residence: 7200 Slabtown Rd., Columbus Grove, Ohio, 45830
Church Membership: Columbus Grove United Church of Christ
Marital Status: Married to Elizabeth Jane Thornley, August 9, 1996
(One daughter Andrea Leigh Koon Gillespie, son-in-law Adam Gillespie, grandsons Adam Kade Gillespie and Silas Robert Gillespie; one son, William Steven Winebrenner)
Education: Attended The Ohio State University 1967 - 1971
Employment: President and CEO of Lord's Enterprises, Inc., and Republic Mills, Inc.
Civic Activities: President, Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.
National Federation of Independent Business
Development Council, The Ohio State University, 1986 - 2000
Commodity Advisory Commission, Ohio Department of Agriculture, 1986 - 1996
President, Allen - Putnam County Grain Dealers, 1985 - 2000
Lima Farmers' Club
Masonic Affiliations:
Senior DeMolay of Fidelity Chapter, Lima, OH; Chevalier, Cross of Honor, Active Legion of Honor;
Active Member of the International Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay 2005.
Recipient of the DeMolay Grand Cross 2006
Past Master, Rufus Putnam Lodge No. 364, Columbus Grove, OH
Plural Member, Ft. Amanda Lodge No. 706, Lima, OH
Past High Priest, Lima Chapter No. 49, RAM
Past Illustrious Master, Lima Council No. 20 R&SM
Grand Representative of the Grand Council R&SM of Romania near the Grand Council of Ohio 2008
Past Commander, Shawnee Commandery No. 14, Knights Templar
Honorary Past Commander, King Ferdinand Commandery No. 1, Knights Templar, Bucharest, Romania
Plural Member, Charter Commander, St. George Commandery No. 76; Ivanhoe Commandery No. 54, Van Wert, OH;
St. Bernard C'mmdy No. 41, Denver, CO; Blaney C'mmdy No. 5, Tremont, IL, Frankfort C'mmdy No. 4, Frankfort, KY.
Wyoming Black Horse Troop
Aide-de-Camp to S.K. William J. Faul, KCT, REGC 1980 - 1981
Deputy Division Commander of the First Division of Knights Templar of the Grand Commandery KT of Ohio 1985 - 1987
Grand Commander, Grand Commandery KT of Ohio 1996 - 1997
Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Ohio and its Jurisdictions PHA 2008
Honorary Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Virginia 2009
Honorary Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Romania 2009
Department Commander of the East Central Department of the Grand Encampment of KT of the USA 1997 - 2000
Voting Member of the Grand Commanderies of Illinois, Kentucky and Colorado, in addition to Ohio.
Most Eminent Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the USA, August 28, 2007
Grand Representative of the Sovereign Great Priory of France 2007
Knight Grand Cross (pro causa) Sovereign Great Priory of France 2009
Honorary Member and Honorary Past Grand Master of the Sovereign Great Priory of Canada
Coroneted 33° in 1996, Valley of Toledo, OH, AASR, NMJ, and Dual Member AASR Valley of Dayton, OH, Vice-
Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Valley of Toledo. 2007, Honorary KCCH Valley of New Orleans, LA
Zenobia Temple, AAONMS, Crusader Unit, and Lima Shrine Club
Charter Sovereign, Recorder, Charlemagne Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, Lima, OH
Dual Member, Holy Grail Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, Dayton, OH
Honorary Member, St. Leonard Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, Jackson, MS,
St. Hilary Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, Ft. Wayne, IN, Lafayette Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, Athens, OH,
St. Columba Conclave, Cincinnati, OH.
Grand Herald, United Grand Imperial Council of the Red Cross of Constantine 1999 - 2000
Intendant General at Large, United Grand Imperial Council of the Red Cross of Constantine 2002 - 2003
Knight Commander of Constantine 2007 (RCC France)
Past Preceptor, Prince of Peace Tabernacle X, HRAKTP, Lima, OH
Past Grand Preceptor of the Grand College of America HRAKTP 2007 - 2008
One of Five Honorary Members of the Grand College HRAKTP, York England, Holds the Certificate of Merit
Supreme Magus, IX°, KGC, Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis 2007
Awarded KGC in former SRIG (Societas Rosicruciana in Gallia)
Honorary Past Supreme Magus, of the High Council SRIR (Romania)
Centennial College No. 87 Sovereign York Rite College, Purple Cross of York
Past Sovereign, Buckeye Council No. 92, AMD, Charter Member, Shawnee Council No. 355, AMD
Red Branch of Eri
Grand Chaplain of the Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees of the USA
Charter Member of Irish Council, No. 67, Knight Masons of the USA
Past Grand Tall Cedar of Ohio Northern Forest No. 288, Tall Cedars of Lebanon
Grand Chancellor, KGC, of the Grand College of Rites 2005 - 2006
M.E. Supreme Grand Master, ad vitam, and Grand Commander Occidental of the Royal Society of Knights Occidental
Daniel Boone Chapter of National Sojourners Inc.
President of the Forty-Fivers 2002 - 2003
Grove Chapter No. 527, OES
Lima Shrine No. 20, White Shrine of Jerusalem
Bryn Athyn Assemblage, Allentown, PA
High Twelve International, Club No. 590
David Dixon Goodwin of New York
Right Eminent Deputy Grand Master
- Sir Knight David Dixon Goodwin, Past Grand Commander of New York, 1999, and R.E. Past Department Commander of the Northeastern Department of the Grand Encampment (2000-2003), was elected Right Eminent Grand Generalissimo at the 63rd Triennial Conclave in Houston, Texas, in August 2006. Advanced "in line" to Deputy Grand Master on the resignation of SK Baldwin, August 2007. He was elected to the grand line of the Grand Encampment as Right Eminent Grand Captain General at the 62nd Triennial Conclave, August 2003, in St. Louis Missouri.
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Sir Knight David Dixon Goodwin was born on August 15, 1949, in Johnson City, New York,, to the late Mary Isabel and John Walter Goodwin. He was raised in Binghamton, New York, and confirmed in Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church. He attended the Binghamton Public Schools and graduated from Binghamton Central High School in 1967. He attended Broome Community College and graduated from Union University, Albany (NY) College of Pharmacy in 1972 with a B.S. in Pharmacy. He was employed by CVS Pharmacy in several locations and was the owner of four retail pharmacies in the Binghamton area from 1977-1988. He has been employed as a pharmacist at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, NY, since 1988. His memberships have included local, state, and national pharmaceutical societies as well as health related community organizations and the Endicott Rotary Club.
Sir Knight Goodwin married Marci Lynn Sternberg on July 15, 1979. They have two daughters; Jennifer and Samantha. They currently reside in Vestal, New York.
Sir Knight Goodwin was Raised a Master Mason in Binghamton Lodge No. 177, F. & A.M.,Binghamton, NY, in September of 1977. He served through the line and was elected Master in 1982. The following year he was elected Secretary, a position he held until 1999. He was named Mason of the Year by his Lodge in 1988. He has served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Broome-Chenango District Masters Council, District Masonic Brotherhood Fund Chairman, and as a member of the Grand Lodge Committee on Related Organizations. He has served as a director of the Masonic Youth Foundation of New York and was commissioned as the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Austria near the Grand Lodge of New York in September of 2000 by the Most Worshipful Carl J. Smith, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York.
He is a member of Binghamton Chapter No. 139, Royal Arch Masons, having served as High Priest and as Secretary for several years. He served the Grand Chapter of New York as an Assistant Grand Lecturer, District Deputy Grand High Priest, and Custodian of the Work. He is a member of Binghamton Council No. 24, Cryptic Masons, where he served as Illustrious Master and as Treasurer. He is a member of St. George Council, Order of Anointed Kings of New York, where he served as Thrice Illustrious Master. He holds a commission from the Grand Council of Delaware as their Grand Representative near the Grand Council of New York.
He was Knighted in Malta Commandery No. 21, Knights Templar, stationed at Binghamton, where he served as Commander in 1988 and served as Recorder. He was Captain of the Zone Drill Team for ten years. He is a member of the Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor. He served the Grand Commandery of New York as a Zone Commander, Grand Representative of the Gand ommandery of Kentucky near New York, and was elected Grand Warder in 1991. He served through the line and was elected and installed as the 149th Grand Commander at the 186th Annual Conclave at Suffern, New York, on September 18, 1999. Sir Knight James Morris Ward, then Most Eminent Grand Master, awarded him the rank and dignity of Knight Commander of the Temple in 1998 for his service to Templary.
Sir Knight Goodwin was a Charter Member of the Southern Tier York Rite College No. 126 and served as Governor. He was awarded the Order of the Purple Cross in 1993. He holds memberships in the Otseningo Bodies, Valley of Binghamton, AAS.R, N.M.J.; Christian Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, elected Sovereign; Crusade Priory No. 57, KYCH, holds KYGCH, 1 quadrant; Gen.Henry Knox Council No. 139,AM.D., Master, Red Branch of Eri; Charles Smith Council No. 324,A.M.D.; Royal Order of Scotland, Star of Bethlehem Tabernacle, HRAKTP; Long Island College, SRICF; Kalurah Temple, AAONMS; Aahmes Grotto, MOVPER; Lafayette Chapter No. 340, O.E.S. He is also been a Daddy of Endicott Triangle No. 43, Organization of Triangles, Inc., a Masonic youth group for girls in New York. He holds honorary memberships in several Commanderies, Grand Commanderies, and York Rite grand bodies.
Sid Cornelius Dorris III of Tennessee
Right Eminent Grand Generalissimo
- Sid C. Dorris, III was born November 3, 1947 in Nashville, Tennessee. He attended public schools in Goodlettsville, Tennessee and graduated from the School of Modern Photography in 1968. He served in the United States Army Reserves as a Public Information Office Photographer. Sid was employed for forty years at the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, Tennessee as Photography Manager and retired August 2005. He is a member of Hermitage United Methodist Church.
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Brother Sid married Sherry L. Damron in 1970. Together they have one child Chad Brandon Dorris (and wife Tia). They are the proud grandparents of two grandchildren, Barrett Grey and Kate Elizabeth Dorris.
Brother Dorris began his Masonic career in 1974, when he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason at McWhirtersville Lodge No. 375 in Donelson, Tennessee. In 1985, he served as Worshipful Master and is currently serving as a Trustee. From 1976 to 2002 he served The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of F&AM of Tennessee as Grand Lodge Photographer and also served a five year term on the Appeals and Grievances Committee.
Brother Dorris is a member of the East, Middle, and West Tennessee Past Masters Association. Exalted in Donelson Chapter No. 234 in 1975, he served as the High Priest in 1985 and 2001 and received the Order of the High Priest in 1986. He received the Bronze Medal for Distinguished Service General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons.
Companion Dorris was greeted in Nashville Council No. 1 in 1975 and served as Illustrious Master in 1986. He received the Order of the Silver Trowel in 1987 and served the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons as Grand Conductor of the Council in 1986.
Knighted KYCH in 1987, Tennessee Priory #15, KYGCH 1994 and served as Prior in 2006.
Brother Dorris is also a member of the following Masonic Affiliated Organizations:
- Tralee Council No. 41 Knight Masons
Old Hickory Conclave Red Cross of Constantine-Puissant Sovereign, 1997
Tennessee College Masonic Societas Rosicruciana In Civitatibus Foederatis IX grade, he is Past Celebrant and Past Secretary
Middle Tennessee York Rite College No. 143, Governor (1992), and Holder of the Order of the Purple Cross
Arch E. McClanahan Council 358 Allied Masonic Degrees - Sovereign Master 2004
Holy Tabernacle No. XLVIII Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest
Valley of Nashville A. & A.S.R. Southern Jurisdiction, received KCCH in 1991 and was coronated as Inspector General Honorary of the 33rd Degree in 2003
Royal Order of Scotland
Buchanan Chapter No. 286 Order of the Eastern Star
Al Menah Shrine Temple
Tennessee Lodge Of Research
Knights Commanders
Legion of Honor Order of Demoly
National Sojourners & Hero's of 76
Brother Dorris was elected Junior Grand Warden on March 23, 2003, advancing each year, being elected Most Worshipful Grand Master of Free & Accepted Masons of Tennessee on March 23, 2006.
Brother Dorris was knighted in Nashville Commandery No. 1 in 1975 and served as Commander in 1986. He is presently a Trustee and received the Knights Crusader of the Cross in 1988 and is a Past Knights Crusader of the East. He served the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Tennessee as Grand Senior Warden in 1988 and as Right Eminate Grand Commander in 1994.
In the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the USA, he served as Aide-de-Camp (1997-2000) for the Grand Master and was the Co-Chairman of the 61st Triennial Conclave held in Nashville, Tennessee during August of 2000. Sid received the Knight Commander of the Temple honor in 2000 and served on the Public Relations Committee from 2000 to 2003. He is served 2003-2006 as the Southeastern Department Commander . In August 2006 was elected Grand Captain General and received the GCT and is presently serving as Grand Generalissimo of the Grand Encampment Knights Templar USA.
SIR KNIGHT DUANE L. VAUGHT, P.G.C. (IN}
Appointed Right Eminent Grand Captain General, August 28, 2007
Duane L. Vaught, the 157th Grand Master of Indiana, was born February 17, 1956 in Crawfordsville, Indiana, the first of three sons of Lloyd E Vaught and Loretta Maxine Vaught. He graduated from North Montgomery High School and from Indiana University, the latter with a Bachelors of Science degree in Accounting. During college he was in Air Force ROTC becoming Cadet Major. He was baptized and confirmed as a member of the Methodist Church. In December 2000 married Georgia Jean Nagai Goode. M.W. Brother Vaught has two brothers, Dale and Glen, both residing in Indiana. Georgia has a sister, Gloria, living in Atlanta Georgia.
Duane Vaught began his professional career with a national accounting firm in its Indianapolis office, during which time he passed the CPA exam and was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant. He subsequently moved to a large local accounting firm in Bloomington Indiana. He advanced in that firm to the level of partner. Since 1995 He has been vice-president of Stampfli Associates, CPAs, P.C., which has grown to be one of the largest accounting firms in Bloomington, Indiana. Although he works with individuals and many kinds of businesses, not-for-profit entities are one of his primary specialties. He served as president of his chapter of Kiwanis, is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Indiana State CPA Society and the Bloomington Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants, in which last organization he served several years as Vice-president for Professional Education.
Duane Vaught began his Masonic career on April 30, 1971 when he was initiated into Montgomery Chapter of the Order of DeMolay. In DeMolay he served as Master Councilor of his Chapter, Illustrious Knight Commander of DeMolay Order of Knighthood in Indiana and two years as an appointed officer of the DeMolay State Council. He has received the DeMolay honors of Representative DeMolay, Chevalier, and Legion of Honor (Active)
Brother Vaught was initiated an Entered Apprentice in Crawfordsville on March 21, 1977, and raised to the degree of Master Mason 49 days later after previously receiving the degree of Fellowcraft. He served as Worshipful Master of Spencer Lodge no. 95 in 1993 during which year the lodge received the Grand Master´s Award with Distinction. He has also served as Worshipful Master of Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research. Vaught received the degrees of Royal Arch Masonry, Cryptic Masonry and the Orders of Chivalric Masonry on October 22, 1977 in a festival, held in Muncie, in honor of then presiding Most Eminent Grand Master, Willard M. Avery. He Served as High Priest of Crawfordsville Chapter No. 40 and Illustrious Master of Montgomery Council No. 34 in 1983. In 1995 he was appointed as Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of Oregon near Indiana.
Sir Knight Vaught served as Eminent Commander of Crawfordsville Commandery No. 25 in 1981 and 1982 and has received the Distinguished Service, Knight Commander of the Temple, and Knight Grand Cross of the Temple awards. He is Grand Representative of the Grand Commandery of Illinois near Indiana and also holds memberships in Bloomington Commandery No. 63 and St Anselm Commandery UD. He holds honorary memberships in several other Grand Commanderies. He served ten years as an officer of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Indiana culminating in serving as the 140th Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Indiana in 2001 - 2002. Sir Knight Vaught is also serving on the finance committee of the Grand Encampment Knights Templar of the USA.
Brother Vaught is a Past Governor of Banks of the Wabash York Rite College No. 72 and has received the Gold Honor Award and Order of the Purple Cross. He is a Past Excellent Chief of Indiana Council No. 15, Knight Masons and Past Director General of Indianapolis Preceptory, Yeomen of York. In the Allied Masonic Degrees he is a Past Sovereign Master of St. Bernard de Clairvaux Council 256, as well Past Commander Noah and Past Supreme Ruler of the Secret Monitor. He is a Knight Commander of the Red Branch of Eri and currently serves as Secretary of his council.
Brother Vaught is currently serving as an officer of St Basil Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine and St Andrew Tabernacle XXXV Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests He is a member IX degree, Knight Grand Cross of Indiana College, Masonic Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis, MSCRIF, and serves as Treasurer General of the High Council, MSCRIF of the United States.
He is a member of J. Herbert Nichols and Robert A. Woods Priories of KYCH, Terre Haute Valley, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Royal Order of Scotland, Murat Shrine AAONMS, Sahara Grotto MOVPER, Knights of Pythias, Grand College of Rites, Order of Knights Preceptor, Indiana Past Commanders Association, Goose and Tater, and Royal Order of Zanzibar. In 2005 he was crowned a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33o. He is a Grand Cross of the Royal Society of Knights Occidental and an Honorary Kentucky Colonel.
Most Worshipful Grand Master Roger S. VanGorden appointed Duane as Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge in May of 2002. Brother Vaught was latter appointed as the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Oregon near Indiana. In 2003 he was appointed Senior Grand Deacon by Most Worshipful Grand Master James L. Chesney of Ellettsville. In 2004, 2005 and 2006 he was elected to each successive office and on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 was invested with the purple of the fraternity as the 157th Grand Master of the Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Indiana.
Sir Knight was appointed Right Eminent Grand Captain General, Grand Encampment, Knights Templar, USA on August 29, 2007 by Sir Knight William Koon II, Grand Master and was elected to remain in the office of Grand Captain General of the Grand Encampment at the 64th Triennial Conclave, August 2009, in Roanoke Virginia.
SIR KNIGHT LAWRENCE EUGENE TUCKER, P.G.C. (TX)
Elected Right Eminent Grand Recorder (2006-2009)
- Sir Knight Lawrence E. Tucker, newly elected Right Eminent Grand Recorder of the Grand Encampment, Knights Templar of the USA, was born April 2, 1956, on Ladd Air Force Base near Fairbanks, Territory of Alaska. His father, William Joseph Rye Tucker, was an active Mason, and his mother, Sue Ann Hensley Tucker, is a Majority Member of Bartlesville Assembly, Order of the Rainbow for Girls.
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Sir Knight Tucker graduated from South Houston High School in Houston, Texas. He attended the University of Texas at Austin and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Finance and a Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of Houston.
Sir Knight Tucker is married to the former Judith (Judy) Ann Berg. Judy is a member and active participant in the Social Order of the Beauceant, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Order of the Amaranth, and the Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem. They are members of First United Methodist Church of Houston, and he is a Past President of the Epworth Sunday School Class.
In the Symbolic Blue Lodge, Sir Knight Tucker was initiated, passed, and Raised in Sagemont Masonic Lodge No. 1426, Ancient Free &Accepted Masons, where he served as Worshipful Master. He has plural memberships in Park Place Masonic Lodge No. 1172, Jacques DeMolay Masonic Lodge No. 1390, and St. Albans Masonic Lodge No. 1455. He is a Past President of the Masters, Wardens, and Secretaries Association of the Thirtieth Masonic Districts of Texas. His service to the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas includes: District Deputy Grand Master, Masonic District 30C, Membership Maintenance committee, Purposes and Policies Committee, Grand Master's Conference Presenter, Assistant State Coordinator, State Coordinator and Chief of Staff, Grand Senior Deacon, Grand Marshal, Grand Tiler, and Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Puerto Rico near Texas.
In York Rite, Capitular Masonry, Sir Knight Tucker was Exalted in Park Place Chapter No.458, Royal Arch Mason, served as High Priest and Secretary, and was Consecrated in the Order of High Priesthood. His service to the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas includes: Credentials Committee, Printing Committee, Grievances and Appeals Committee, Purposes and Policies Committee, Area Conference Coordinator; Grand Orator, Grand Captain of the Host, Grand Master of the First Veil, District Deputy Grand High Priest, Capitular District 9, and Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of Illinois near Texas.
In York Rite, Cryptic Masonry, Sir Knight Tucker was Greeted in Park Place Council No. 373, Royal and Select Masters, served as Thrice Illustrious Master and Recorder, and as President and Secretary-Treasurer of the Super Excellent Masters Association of the Fifth Cryptic Districts of Texas. He was received in the Order of the Silver Trowel and served as Thrice Illustrious Master of the Order of the Silver Trowel of Texas.
His service to the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas includes: Credentials Committee; Super Excellent Master Ad Hoc Committee; Jurisprudence Committee; Grand Steward, District Deputy Grand Master, Cryptic District 9; and Grand Representative of the Grand Council of England near Texas.
In York Rite Chivalric Masonry, Sir Knight Tucker was Knighted in Park Place Commandery No. 106, Knights Templar, served as Commander and Recorder, and is a dual member with Ruthven Commandery No. 2. He is a member of the Park Place Commandery Drill Team, where he served as President.
Additionally, he is a Charter member and Past Preceptor of Texas Chapter of The Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor and National Secretary of The Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor. He was Ordained a Knight Priest in Resurrection Tabernacle No. XXI, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, is currently serving as an officer in the advancing line, and is Grand Registrar of the Grand College of America, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests.
His service to the Grand Commandery, Knights Templar of Texas, includes: Grand Commander's Aide; Foreign Correspondence Committee, Templar Instruction Committee; and Grand Representative of the Grand Commandery of Indiana near Texas. He was elected Grand Sentinel in 1996 and served as Grand Commander in 2005-2006.
His service to the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America includes: 63rd Triennial Conclave Committee and Adjutant to the Most Eminent Grand Master, awarded Knight Commander of the Temple, appointed Office Administrator in 2006, named Acting Grand Recorder on January 1, 2006, and installed Grand Recorder of the Grand Encampment and awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Temple on April 24, 2006.
In the York Rite College, Sir Knight Tucker was initiated into Texas York Rite College No. 14 and is a Charter Member of Gulf Coast York Rite College No. 106, where he served as Governor. He was elevated to the Rank of Associate Regent (Order of the Purple Cross of York) and served as President of the Council of Associate Regents. Further service to the York Rite Sovereign College of North America includes: Grand Herald, York Rite Progress and Promotion Committee, and Committee on Auditing.
Sir Knight Tucker is a Life Member of Texas Priory No. 23, Knights of the York Cross of Honour, and a Charter Life Member of Ridout Priory No. 75, where he served as Prior. He received the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in the Valley of Houston, Orient of Texas; is Past Venerable Master of Kadosh of Houston Consistory and currently is serving as an officer in the advancing line of San Jacinto Lodge of Perfection; was invested with the Rank and Decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour and Coroneted a 33' Inspector General Honorary.
Created a Noble in Arabia Temple, Oasis of Houston, Desert of Texas, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and served as Chairman of the Committee on Masonic Relations-Blue Lodges and member of the Past Masters Association of Arabia Temple. He also was initiated a Prophet in Chinar Grotto, Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, where he served as Treasurer.
In the invitational Masonic orders, he was installed in St. Anthony Conclave No. 50, Red Cross of Constantine, where he is currently serving as an officer in the advancing line; was received and admitted to VII Grade in Texas College, Masonic Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis, advanced to VII and IX Grades and currently serves as Secretary of Texas College; is a Charter Member of Nat Pace Council No. 46, Knight Masons Charter Excellent Chief of Anson Jones Council No. 47 Knight Masons, where he currently serves as Treasurer, and served on the Constitution Committee of Grand Council of Knight Masons of the United States of America and as Most Excellent Great Chief (2005-2006); he is a Charter Member of Sam Houston Council No. 275, Allied Masonic Degrees, where he served as Sovereign Master and currently serves as Treasurer, is a recipient of the Red Branch of Eri, and served on the Nominating Committee of the Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States of America; advanced and promoted a Knight Companion of the Royal Order of Scotland in the Provincial Grand Lodge of the United States of America; initiated in Trinity Chapel No. 12, Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon, serving as an officer in the advancing line, and a Charter Member of Lone Star Chapel No. 45, serving as an officer in the advancing line; initiated into Houston Chapter No. 513, National Sojourners.
His memberships in appendant Masonic orders include: initiated in Norma D. Allen Chapter No. 1050, Order of the Eastern Star, Member of Park Place Chapter No. 731, and dual member of Bluebell Chapter No. 856, where he served as Worthy Patron; Charter Member of Houston Court No. 2, Order of the Amaranth, where he served as Royal Patron and Treasurer; initiated in Tulsa Shrine No. 8, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem (Tulsa, Oklahoma) and Charter Treasurer of The Cross of Texas Shrine No. 1; member of the Texas Lodge of Research and served as Senior Steward; Charter Member of the William M. Taylor Chapter of the Philalethes Society; Charter Member of the Scottish Rite Research Society; Charter Member of the South Carolina Masonic Research Society.
In the Masonic related youth orders he served on the Advisory Council of Bluebell Assembly, International Order of Rainbow for Girls, awarded the Grand Cross of Color, served as Promoter of Finance and Promoter of Fraternal Relations of Bethel Guardian Council of Bethel No. 2, International Order of Job's Daughters; initiated in Park Place Chapter No. 1424, Order of DeMolay, served as Chapter Advisor and is currently on the Advisory Council of Houston (formerly St. John) Chapter; he is a holder of the degree of Chevalier, served as Commander in the East of the Gulf Coast Court of Chevaliers, is a Recipient of the DeMolay Legion of Honor, served as Dean of the Houston Preceptory, and is currently State Secretary of the Texas State Preceptory, DeMolay Legion of Honor; plus he is a recipient of the DeMolay Cross of Honor, is Director of Masonic Relations for the Texas DeMolay Association, and is a Deputy Member, International Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay.
Sir Knight Tucker was elected Right Eminent Grand Recorder of the Grand Encampment, Knights Templar, at the 63rd Triennial Conclave in Houston, Texas, August of 2006.