Colonels & Councils

Another weekend immersed in Rosicrucianism and chivalry has come to a close, and once again, I find myself grateful for the fraternal bonds, the shared wisdom, and the unforgettable experiences that these gatherings always bring.

On Wednesday, several of us from Idaho converged on Louisville, KY, joining Fratres from across the world for the annual convocation of the High Council of the Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis. That evening set the tone for the days ahead: a night of warm reunions, long conversations, and reconnecting with friends and Fratres I rarely get to see in person. In many ways, these informal moments are the true heart of our gatherings.

Thursday began with an unexpected and humbling moment. Before heading to the distillery, our group stopped by the headquarters of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. Two of my friends had suggested we visit, and since they had done the same the year prior, I thought little of it. To my complete surprise, the Executive Director announced my name and commissioned me as a Kentucky Colonel. It was an honor I did not see coming, and one that left me both grateful and deeply touched.

From there, 10 of us from Idaho, Washington, Colorado, and Texas out into the Kentucky countryside to tour the Woodford Distillery in Versailles, KY. Walking among the rickhouses, learning about the craft, and enjoying the company of Fratres made for a perfect day. That evening, we returned to Louisville and dined together at the Repeal Oak-Fired Steakhouse, a meal as rich and satisfying as the fellowship surrounding the table.

Late Friday morning brought the Opening Procession of the High Council, always an inspiring and dignified moment. I spent the afternoon preparing for the VIII°, which I presided over that evening for an impressive class of 64 candidates. Once the VIII° concluded, we conferred the IX° upon several worthy Fratres before turning to the business of elections.

This year was particularly unusual. A contested election, stirred up by a Frater intent on creating division, cast a shadow over the proceedings. Yet, in the end, the Fratres stood firm. They voted with their conscience, not with fear, demonstrating the strength and integrity of our Society. Elections carried on well past midnight, and by the time we finally concluded, I was more than ready to find my bed.

Saturday offered a full schedule of excellent presentations, each adding new layers of insight to our Rosicrucian studies and fraternal work. We were honored to hear remarks from the visiting Supreme Magi of Lusitania (Portugal), Scotia (Scotland), and Anglia (England). Their presence and their words reinforced the international brotherhood that binds us together across oceans and borders.

After concluding a small slate of business, we adjourned to the hospitality suites and then tot the dining hall for our annual banquet. During the festivities, three Fratres were elevated to the rank and distinction of Knight Grand Cross. I spent the remainder of the night enjoying the company of the Fratres in the hospitality suites, savoring these last hours of fellowship.

Sunday morning brought one final engagement before departure. The Grand Master’s Council of the Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon convened to establish the new Great Lakes Province, install its officers, and hold a Festive Board. It was a fitting conclusion to a weekend dedicated to tradition, service, and the bonds of chivalry.

Now, midway through my flights home, I find myself energized by the Society and eager to prepare for my next adventure.

Veterans Day

Today, we pause to honor all who have worn the uniform of our nation: those who stood watch, bore the weight of responsibility, and committed themselves to something greater than themself. Veterans Day is always a moment for reflection, but this year carries a unique meaning for me personally. This is the last Veterans Day in which I have been out of the military for less time than I served. Crossing that threshold is a surreal experience. It reminds me how deeply those years shaped my life. 

As I look back on my own service, I am reminded that every Veteran carries a story of discipline learned, sacrifices made, friendships forged, trials overcome, and honor earned. Whether we served for a few years or an entire career, whether we deployed or supported from home, each of us contributed to the long chain of commitment that protects our nation. 

To all my fellow Veterans: thank you. Your service matters.

Passing of Bill Miller

I found out today that William R. Miller, a good Mason, passed away. I met Bill when I joined Knight Masons and St. Thomas of Acon in March 2013. Along with Joe and Louis, it was through Bill's generosity that I was able to attend Masonic Week, starting in 2014. I would sleep on the hide-a-bed in the hospitality room that they hosted. Over the next few years, I got to know Bill very well. In 2015, he appointed me as a member of his Hospitality Committee when he presided over the Red Cross of Constantine.

Bill was born on November 2, 1935, in Seattle, WA, but he received his public education in Washington, Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa. He received a B.S. in Industrial Administration from Iowa State University, where he joined the Delta Epsilon fraternity. After nearly 38 years, he retired in July 1994 as a Facilities Resource Manager with Boeing. Bill and his high school sweetheart, the late Maralyn Edwards, a Rainbow girl, were married on October 12, 1957, in Knoxville, TN. 

Bill was a member of the Morningside Chapter of DeMolay, where he was a Representative DeMolay and received the Zerubbabel Key. He was Dean of Tacoma Legion of Honor Preceptory (1983). As an adult, he served on the Advisory Boards of the local DeMolay Chapter and Rainbow Assembly, serving as Dad Advisor and Rainbow Dad, respectively, receiving the DeMolay Guild of the Leather Apron and Grand Cross of Color. He was elected a member of the DeMolay Supreme Council in 1994 and was Grand Orator (2008). He was a Past Patron of Pyramid Chapter No. 257, Order of the Eastern Star. 

Bill was made a Mason in Queen Anne Lodge No. 242 in Seattle on March 12, 1959, later demitted to Thornton F. McElroy Lodge No. 302 in Federal Way, where he served as Worshipful Master in 1966 and again in 2016. He served as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Washington (1989-90). He served the Conference of Grand Masters of North America on its Fraternal Relations Committee (1989-93). He was a member of the Board of Directors of the National Masonic Foundation for the Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Children (1988-1994) and its President (1992-94). 

In the Scottish Rite, he served as Venerable Master of Tacoma Scottish Rite 1984, was made a Knight Commander Court of Honor in 1973, coroneted an Inspector General Honorary in 1985, was crowned Sovereign Grand Inspector General of Washington in October 1993 (serving for 20 years) and served as Grand Minister of State of the Supreme Council, 33°, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A. 

He was a member and past presiding officer of a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, Council of Cryptic Masons, Commandery of Knights Templar (recipient of the Illustrious Knights of the Triangle from the Grand Commandery of Washington and the Knight Commander of the Temple from the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar), York Rite College (recipient of the Order of the Purple Cross and Past Deputy Grand Governor of Washington) and SRICF College (IX° - Magus). He was also a member of the Royal Order of Scotland, KYCH, the Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, and the Afifi Shriners. Bill was Sovereign Master of Pacific Council No. 30 and Most Venerable Sovereign Grand Master of the Grand Council (AMD) in 2006. He was the Excellent Chief of Clontarf Council and served as the Most Excellent Great Chief of the Grand Council of Knight Masons, USA in 2018. Bill was Worthy Master of Tahoma Chapel No. 30, St. Thomas of Acon, and served as Most Worthy Grand Master of the Grand Masters Council, USA in 2017. He joined the Holy Order of Knights Beneficient of the Holy City, Great Priory of America (CBCS) in 2000 and served as the Most Reverend Great Prior. He joined St. Alban Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine in 1983, served as Puissant Sovereign in 1991, and Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign in 2014-2015. 

Bill was a member of Marine View Presbyterian Church and the Federal Way School Board (1975-1986) (three terms as president) (Washington State School Board of the Year 1980).

Bill was survived by son Brian, daughter Kathleen Ancel, and grandchildren Jeremy, Kyle, Colin, and Brandon.

Happy Halloween

Athelstan

Once again, I’ve returned home after another journey across the world. This weekend marked the annual meeting of the Grand Court of the Masonic Order of Athelstan for England, Wales, and its Provinces Overseas, a historic occasion as the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Paul Johnston, retired after nearly 12.5 years of service, passing the mantle to his Deputy Grand Master.

Ratae Corieltauvorum

Last Thursday, I landed in London and made my way up to the Midlands to the city of Leicester. I was part of a larger contingent of American Masons who came to show support to Paul and to the Grand Court of England.

Friday, I walked around the city center and checked out the Jewry Walls. Leicester began as Ratae Corieltauvorum, a Roman town on the River Soar, laid out along the Fosse Way, a major Roman road in Britain that connected the southwest to the northeast, linking Exeter (Isca Dumnoniorum) and Lincoln (Lindum Colonia). Its most spectacular surviving feature is the Jewry Wall (a massive 2nd-century masonry wall that formed part of the public bath complex), which was originally thought to be a forum when first discovered. Excavations by Dame Kathleen Kenyon in the 1930s confirmed the wall’s relationship to the adjacent Roman baths, whose foundations are still visible beside the wall and interpreted by the adjacent museum. The structure (c. AD 160) is one of the largest pieces of standing Roman masonry in Britain. 

After the collapse of the Roman Empire, an Anglo-Saxon town grew among the ruins. The oldest standing church is St Nicholas, incorporating Roman brick and stone; it is among Leicester’s five surviving medieval churches and has pre-Conquest origins (in use since at least the 9th century). It stands immediately beside the Jewry Wall, a vivid reminder of the city’s continuity from Rome through Saxon and Norman times.

Within the castle’s bailey rose St Mary de Castro (which I visited last year), founded as a collegiate chapel in 1107 by Robert de Beaumont, Earl of Leicester. Its long history ties Leicester to national figures: local tradition connects it to early royal ceremonies (including the child-knighting of Henry VI) and even to Geoffrey Chaucer’s life. Architecturally speaking, it retains Norman fabric with later Gothic additions. 

The timber-framed Guildhall (c. 1390) began as a meeting place for the Guild of Corpus Christi and later served as the town hall. Over the centuries, it hosted council meetings, courts, feasts, theatrical performances, and even debates during the Civil War, which makes it the best-preserved window into municipal life before modernity. 

Leicester’s religious landscape was transformed by the Dissolution of Henry VIII. Leicester Abbey, a wealthy Augustinian house, was suppressed in 1538; just years earlier, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Henry VIII’s fallen minister, died there in 1530 en route to face treason charges. His burial at the abbey and the subsequent loss of his tomb became one of Tudor England’s lingering mysteries; despite modern excavations, his remains have never been found. The abbey ruins now lie within Abbey Park. 

Another focal point was the Greyfriars (Franciscan) friary. After Bosworth (1485), King Richard III was buried here. The friary was later dissolved, the site built over, and the king’s grave vanished from memory until the 21st century; now it's a museum dedicated to Richard III.

Through the 18th century, Leicester expanded as a regional market town. Framework-knitting and hosiery trades thrived, and civic governance continued in and around the old Guildhall, while parishes maintained medieval churches like St Nicholas, St Mary de Castro, and the future cathedral. Though less architecturally showy than the Victorian age to come, this period laid the economic groundwork for industrial growth and urban improvement. Industry, railways, and municipal pride spurred new buildings in the 19th century, while older landmarks like the Guildhall survived as cherished symbols of civic heritage. 

Leicester’s most famous modern chapter is the rediscovery and reburial of King Richard III. In 2012, archaeologists located his grave beneath a city-center car park on the site of the lost Greyfriars church; DNA and osteological analysis confirmed the identity. The city created the King Richard III Visitor Center opposite the cathedral, and in March 2015, the last Plantagenet king was reinterred with honor in Leicester Cathedral beneath a Swaledale fossil-stone tomb. The find sparked national debate (including legal challenges over the reburial site) and placed Leicester at the center of global heritage headlines. 

Retirement of Paul

While the stones of Leicester speak of millennia of history, this weekend’s events marked the beginning of a new chapter in the living history of our Order. This past summer, Bro. Paul Johnston, Most Worshipful Grand Master, announced his intention to retire.

I first met Paul more than a decade ago during Masonic Week, and I found him to be both a warm friend and an exceptional leader - a man deeply devoted to the Craft. Over the course of his 12.5 years as Grand Master, he guided the Masonic Order of Athelstan from its infancy into its formative years. Under his steady hand, the Order expanded to the far corners of the globe, establishing Grand Courts in nations that had grown strong enough to govern themselves, including the United States.

Paul had joined the Order shortly after its founding and went on to serve as Grand Secretary before assuming the mantle of leadership following the untimely passing of his predecessor. One of his personal goals, he said, was to install his own successor. Yesterday, he fulfilled that wish by installing the Fourth Grand Master of the Order and concluded his tenure with grace and humility, a fitting close to a remarkable chapter in the Order’s history.

The First King of England

King Athelstan (c. 894 - 939 AD), grandson of Alfred the Great and son of King Edward the Elder, stands as one of the most significant yet often underappreciated monarchs in English history. Known variously as Athelstane, Athelstone, Athelston, Aldiston, Adelstan, Adelston, and Ethelstan, he is celebrated as the first true King of all England, as he was the ruler who transformed a patchwork of Anglo-Saxon and Viking kingdoms into a unified realm.

Athelstan was raised partly in Mercia under the care of his aunt, Æthelflæd, the “Lady of the Mercians,” where he absorbed both Mercian and West Saxon traditions of governance and warfare. Upon the death of his father in 924, a brief succession dispute arose between Athelstan and his half-brother Ælfweard, but the latter’s sudden death soon after cleared the way for Athelstan’s accession. He was crowned in 925 AD at Kingston-upon-Thames, a symbolic site straddling the ancient borders of Wessex and Mercia, embodying the unity he would soon achieve across England.

From the outset, Athelstan proved to be an exceptional military leader and statesman. In 927, he captured York from the Danes and compelled the submission of Constantine II of Scotland and other northern rulers at the Treaty of Eamont Bridge. By doing so, he brought Northumbria firmly under English control and became the first monarch to rule over all of England. 

His greatest test came a decade later at the legendary Battle of Brunanburh in 937 AD. Facing a formidable alliance of Scots, Strathclyde Britons, and Dublin Norse under Constantine II, Owain of Strathclyde, and Olaf Guthfrithson, Athelstan’s forces won a decisive but bloody victory. Chroniclers hailed the battle as a defining moment in forging the English nation, preserving its unity and independence for generations to come.

Athelstan’s reign was not defined by warfare alone. His government introduced innovative reforms that strengthened royal authority and improved national cohesion. He issued extensive law codes to ensure justice and order, regulated coinage to prevent fraud, and centralized trade within burghs to encourage urban development. He reorganized the Midlands and former Danelaw into shires, consolidating administration across England. Abroad, he forged alliances through the marriages of his half-sisters to European princes and cultivated cultural and ecclesiastical ties with the Continent.

A patron of learning and the Church, Athelstan gathered relics and illuminated manuscripts, many of which he gifted to monasteries and churches. His generosity toward the clergy ensured their support, while his endowments enriched England’s spiritual life. Upon his death in 939 at Gloucester, Athelstan was buried in Malmesbury Abbey, a monastery he had long favored and supported. Though his tomb now lies empty, his legacy as England’s first unified monarch endures.

Commemorating 1100 Years of Legacy

In Masonic tradition, King Athelstan occupies a place of profound honor. According to early manuscripts, including the Halliwell (Regius) Poem, the Cooke Manuscript, the Landsdowne Manuscript, and the lesser-known Roberts Manuscript, a great assembly of stonemasons was convened at York in 926 AD by Athelstan’s half-brother, Prince Edwin, at the king’s command. There, the traditions of symbolic and operative Masonry were codified and the Craft’s ancient charges were reaffirmed.

The Masonic Order of Athelstan was founded to honor this spirit of enlightenment and fraternity embodied by the king. It seeks to celebrate his unifying vision, his devotion to law and learning, and his legendary association with the early organization of masonry in England.

As the world marks the 1100th anniversary of Athelstan’s coronation in 2025, the Order and its charitable arm (the King Athelstan Memorial Foundation) have undertaken a series of meaningful projects to preserve and promote his memory. Established in 2020, the Foundation has already realized numerous initiatives:

• In 2021, it presented a magnificent King Athelstan tapestry to All Saints Church in Kingston-upon-Thames, the site of his coronation.
• In 2022, it donated a replica Saxon sword crafted by renowned smiths Hector Cole, M.B.E., and Tim Blades, along with an audio-visual system and documentary for the Athelstan Museum in Malmesbury.
• In 2024, the Foundation contributed money to support the exhibition of ancient Saxon papers on loan from Cambridge University and funded educational installations and the Guide to Athelstan & Malmesbury Trail for the town’s upcoming 1100 celebrations.
• The same year saw the launch of the ambitious “York 1100 Project,” which raised £100,000 to sponsor a stonemason’s accommodation unit at York Minster and commission a carved grotesque of King Athelstan to adorn the cathedral’s South Quire.

By June 2025, the project reached fruition: the Most Worshipful Grand Master and a distinguished delegation presented both the accommodation unit and the completed grotesque to York Minster, honoring Athelstan’s enduring legacy as patron and protector of the Craft.

Further commemorations followed on September 4, 2025, when All Saints Church in Kingston-upon-Thames unveiled all seven embroidered tapestries from their Seven Saxon Kings Project. Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, additional projects are planned to continue celebrating the life and legacy of this remarkable monarch.

Through these works, the Masonic Order of Athelstan and its Foundation have ensured that the spirit of England’s first king, and the legendary assembly of York in 926 AD, remains alive in both history and fraternity, a thousand years on.

Masons Becoming Knights

Today was a full and rewarding day of Templary. Sir Knights from across Idaho, along with several Grand Commandery Officers, came together to confer the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross, the Order of Malta, and the Order of the Temple on several candidates. I was privileged to serve as High Priest for the Red Cross, Prior for Malta, and Eminent Commander for the Order of the Temple. Among the candidates was the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Idaho, who also happens to be a Past Master of my Lodge. It was a long day, but one filled with fellowship and purpose. 

KYCH and Acon

This was a weekend filled with fellowship, ceremony, and reflection on the bonds that unite us as knights across jurisdictions. Thursday evening, I landed in Mobile and spent the rest of the day socializing with Knights from across the Americas. Friday was originally planned as a trip to Pensacola to see the Blue Angels, but due to the government shutdown, our plans shifted to visiting the USS Alabama. I spent much of the day meeting and reconnecting with fellow Knights as they arrived at the hotel.

Saturday morning marked the 90th Conclave of the Convent General of the Knights of the York Cross of Honor, presided over by my good friend Jim McGee, Most Eminent Grand Master General. The session was productive, as we approved several much-needed legislative updates that modernized and aligned our Constitution with present needs. I wish the best of success to Bart Henderson, who has assumed the mantle of Grand Master General for the ensuing year, and I extend congratulations to all the newly elected officers of the Convent General.

That afternoon, several of us convened to consecrate the Province of the Gulf Coast for the Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon, USA. Due to the rapid growth of the Order, the Most Worthy Grand Master found it necessary to establish new provinces and adjust existing boundaries. I had the honor of serving as Grand Marshal during the ceremony, and I thank the Grand Master for this privilege. It was a pleasure to assist in installing the Grand Preceptor and his officers, and I wish them the greatest success in their future labors. After leading the procession of Grand Officers out, we adjourned to a festive board featuring a wonderful spread of delicious Southern-style fare and warm fellowship. 

Now I’m on my way to northern Virginia for work, grateful for a productive and enjoyable weekend among friends and fellow Knights.

2026 Masonic Week Schedule

The preliminary schedule of the 2026 Masonic Week has been released. It will be held from February 4-8, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Washington DC–Crystal City near the Reagan National Airport. You can find the registration here: https://amdusa.org/wp/masonic-week/

 

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

11:00 AM - Laying of the Wreath by the AMD Grand Council

7:00 PM - 6°, Royal Order of the Masonic Knights of the Scarlet Cord

7:00 PM - San Jacinto Order No. 128, Order of the Sword of Bunker Hill

 

Thursday, February 5, 2026

8:00 AM - Installed Supreme Ruler, Allied Masonic Degrees

8:45 AM - Worshipful Commander Noah, Allied Masonic Degrees

9:30 AM - Grand Master's Council, Ye Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon

Aaron White - Grand Master

Kevin Sample - Grand Prior

Jeremy Vaughn - Grand Secretary

12:00 PM - St. Thomas of Acon Festive Board

1:15 PM - Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor 

Michael Kastle - Grand Preceptor

Larry Tucker - Grand Recorder

1:15 PM - Order of Holy Wisdom, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests

3:00 PM - Grand Court of the USA, Masonic Order of Athelstan

D. Allen Surrat - Grand Master

David Cashion - Grand Secretary

6:00 PM - Installed Sovereign Master, Allied Masonic Degrees

7:00 PM - Athelstan Banquet

9:00 PM - Ye Antiente Order of Corks

Marion Humphreys - Grand Bung of the Americas

9:00 PM - Masonic Order of Pilgrim Preceptors

David Boswell - Grand Master

George Haynes - Regional Governor 

Alan Beidel - Regional Secretary 

 

Friday, February 6, 2026

7:00 AM - York Rite Sovereign College Breakfast

8:30 AM - Knight Commander, Royal Order of the Red Branch of Eri

9:00 AM - Ladies Breakfast 

9:00 AM - Grand Council of Knights Masons of the United States of America

Lloyd Leinbaugh - Great Chief

John Bristol - Grand Scribe

12:00 PM - Knights Masons Luncheon

1:00 PM - Grand College of America, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests

James Winzenreid - Grand Preceptor

Larry Tucker - Grand Registrar

3:00 PM - Grand College of Rites

Frank Modica - Grand Chancellor

Rick Patton - Grand Registrar

4:30 PM - Society of Blue Friars

Arturo de Hoyos - Grand Abbot

Mark Tabbert - Deputy Grand Abbot

Richard Fletcher - Secretary-General

4:30 PM - 6°, Royal Order of the Masonic Knights of the Scarlet Cord

7:00 PM - The Philalethes Banquet

7:00 PM - Great Priory of America, CBCS, Dinner

9:00 PM Masonic Order of the Bath

Charles Schubert - Commander-General

Bill Snyder - Keeper of the Bath Records

Saturday, February 7, 2026

7:00 AM - All Masonic Breakfast

8:00 AM - 1° - 3°, Royal Order of the Masonic Knights of the Scarlet Cord

9:30 AM - Ladies Bus Trip

9:45 AM - 4°, Royal Order of the Masonic Knights of the Scarlet Cord

10:30 AM - Philalethes Society

Adam Kendall - President

Terry Tilton - Secretary

12:00 PM - All Masonic Luncheon

1:15 PM - Council of the Nine Muses No. 13, AMD

2:00 PM - Ladies Tea 

2:30 PM - Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees

Doug Knauer - Sovereign Grand Master

Seth Anthony - Grand Secretary

6:00 PM - All Masonic Social Hour 

7:00 PM - All Masonic Banquet

9:00 PM - Royal Ark Mariner, Allied Masonic Degrees

9:45 PM - Order of the Secret Monitor, Allied Masonic Degrees

Sunday, February 8, 2026

8:30 AM - Washington Monument Assemblage

Deputy Master Mason - Jason Varner VI°

Clerk - Alan Beidel VIº

9:00 AM - Lodge of Menatzchim, V°

10:30 AM - Lodge of Harodim, VI°

12:30 PM - The Operatives Brunch

RIP Reese Harrison

I just heard that Bro. Reese Harrison passed away on August 29, 2025. He could be outspoken at times, but always devoted and knowledgeable.

Reese Lenwood Harrison, Jr., of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on August 29, 2025. Born January 5, 1938, he devoted his life to the law, to military service, to his church and community, and above all to Freemasonry, where his record of service and leadership stands among the most distinguished in Texas history.

A graduate of Baylor University and Southern Methodist University School of Law, Reese was admitted to the bar in 1962 and began his career as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. He later became a senior partner, CEO, and litigation chair at Oppenheimer, Blend, Harrison & Tate, and practiced with Clark Hill PLC. Board Certified in Civil Trial Law and nationally recognized for his litigation work, he was consistently named among Best Lawyers in America and Texas Super Lawyers.

In addition to his distinguished legal career, Reese served nearly 35 years in the Texas Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force Reserve, retiring as a Colonel and later receiving a brevet promotion to Brigadier General. He was honored with the Major General Paul D. Straw Trophy in 1991 for exemplary military and civic service.

A devoted husband and proud father of two daughters, Reese was also deeply active in civic, charitable, and heritage organizations, including the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, Trinity Baptist Church, the Sons of the Republic of Texas, and Freemasonry, where he held many national and international offices. He will be remembered as a man of service, leadership, and faith who gave tirelessly to his country, profession, and community.

His Masonic career is quite extensive, and it’s almost impossible to sum it up quickly…so I won’t try. Raised in Albert Pike Lodge No. 1169 (1959), Reese went on to serve as Worshipful Master (1969–70) and later Cibolo Lodge No. 151 (2004–05). He served as District Deputy Grand Master (1982), District Education Officer (1997–2000), Grand Orator (1987), and the President of the Masters, Wardens, and Secretaries Association. He received numerous honors, including the Golden Trowel Award, the Henry Price Medal (Massachusetts), and the Pierpoint Edwards Medal (Connecticut). He served as Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Texas in 2004.

Reese was exalted in San Antonio Chapter No. 381 (1959), Royal Arch Masons, where he served as Excellent High Priest and long-time Treasurer. He was District Deputy Grand High Priest (1971) and Most Excellent Grand High Priest of Texas in 2014. In Cryptic Masons, Reese was greeted in San Antonio Council No. 14 (1960), serving as Thrice Illustrious Master. He was District Deputy Grand Master (1971, 1974) and Most Illustrious Grand Master of Texas in 2018. In Templary, he was knighted in San Antonio Commandery No. 7 (1960), where he served as Eminent Commander (1974). He was recognized with the Commander’s Merit Award, the Knight Templar Cross of Honor (2001), and the ranks of Knight Commander of the Temple (1992) and Knight Grand Cross of the Temple (1999) by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar USA.

Reese received the 32° in 1959, invested a KCCH in 1971, and coroneted 33° Inspector General in 1979. He held multiple presiding offices in the Valley of San Antonio, including Venerable Master and Wise Master, and served as Personal Representative of the SGIG. He was also active in the Scottish Rite Research Society.

Reese was created a Noble of Alzafar Shrine (1959), later serving as Potentate in 1979 and President of the International Past Potentates Association (1985–86). He served as Monarch of Omala Grotto (1979), longtime Zone Director, and national officer. Reese was also active in the Royal Order of Jesters, Order of Quetzalcoatl, and the Cabiri.

Reese held some of the highest offices in Masonry internationally:

• Governor General (1998–2000), Regent, and recipient of the Knight Grand Cross of York in the York Rite Sovereign College of North America
• Grand Master General (2004–2005) and later Grand Treasurer-General in the Knights of the York Cross of Honour
• Sovereign Grand Preceptor (2003–2007) and later Grand Treasurer in the Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor 
• Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign (2006–2007) in the United Grand Imperial Council of the Red Cross of Constantine of the USA and its Jurisdictions
• Past Chief Adept of Texas College, IX° (1992), and Knight Grand Cross (1999) in the Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis
• Most Excellent Great Chief of the Grand Council of the USA (1996) in the Knight Masons.
• Most Venerable Sovereign Grand Master of the USA (1999) for the Allied Masonic Degrees.
• Most Worthy Grand Master (USA, 2016–2017) in the Order of St. Thomas of Acon
• Life Member (1967) and Substitute Provincial Grand Master of the USA in the Royal Order of Scotland
• Most Illustrious Grand Chancellor (2007) in the Grand College of Rites
• Most Honorable Commander General (2003–2007) in the Masonic Order of the Bath
• Most Eminent Grand Preceptor of the Grand College of America, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests 
• Master Councilor, Chevalier, Legion of Honor, Executive Officer for Texas, and Grand Master of DeMolay International (1982–83) in the Order of DeMolay 

He was also a member of the Order of High Priesthood, Silver Trowel, Knights Crusaders of the Cross, National Sojourners, Heroes of ’76, High Twelve International, Order of the Eastern Star, Order of the Amaranth, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Ancient Egyptian Order of Sciots, Texas Lodge of Research, Philalethes Society, Scottish Rite Research Society, and Alabama Confederate Military Lodge of Research

Across more than six decades, Reese rose from Blue Lodge leadership to the highest councils of the Craft worldwide. His dedication, intellect, and unwavering commitment will long be remembered by his brethren in Texas and around the globe.

International Athelstan

It’s been a busy couple of days that I won’t forget anytime soon.

Thursday, I made my way up to Vancouver, BC, to attend a very special gathering of the Masonic Order of Athelstan. The morning started with the initiation of about 56 new candidates; quite a sight to see that many Brethren welcomed into the Order all at once. After that, the Grand Master and several Grand Officers from England advanced the necessary brothers to the rank of Past Master before consecrating the brand-new Court of St. Lawrence No. 197 under the Grand Court of England, Wales, and Provinces Overseas.

I’ve never seen a Court consecration before, and I have to say, it was done with an impressive ease and dignity. The British Grand Officers really do have a way of carrying out these ceremonies with practiced grace, and it was a privilege to witness it. A few of us from Salish Court No. 6 (under the Grand Court of the USA) were there as well, which made it even more special.

As soon as the ceremony wrapped up, though, I had to dash straight to the Vancouver airport to catch a flight back to Seattle, WA. No rest for the weary! Salish Court No. 6 was holding its election meeting that same evening, and I wasn’t about to miss it. I made it in time thanks to a local Brother picking me up, and I’m honored to share that I was appointed Senior Deacon for the coming year.

Now, after all the travel and ritual, I’m finally heading home to relax and enjoy the Labor Day weekend. It’s been a whirlwind, but that’s part of what I love about being involved in the Craft: the chance to travel, meet new Brethren, and be a part of history in the making.