RIP Bruce Wethered

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the death of Sir Knight Bruce A. Wethered, the Junior Past Grand Commander of Idaho. Bruce was born on October 12, 1950, in Vancouver, Washington. He grew up in Washington but in 1965 his family moved to Nampa. As a teenager, he was involved with the Boy Scouts and DeMolay where he earned the Eagle Scout award and the Representative DeMolay award. Bruce graduated from Nampa High School in 1969, earned a BBA in Business from Boise State University in 1974, and an MBA from Pacific Lutheran University in 1984. Bruce worked for Physio-Control Corporation from 1981 to 1991 in planning, transportation, and logistics in Redmond, WA. He then moved back to Nampa where you worked for the MPC Corporation until 2006. 

Bruce was Initiated, Passed, and Raised in Ashlar Lodge No. 90 in Nampa, ID, in 1972. He served as Worshipful Master in 1978, 2003 and 2014, and is currently serving as Secretary. For the Grand Lodge AF&AM of Idaho, he served as a District Deputy Grand Master and Right Worshipful Grand Treasurer. He was very active in the York Rite where he was a Most Excellent Past Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons of Idaho (2016-2017), a Most Illustrious Past Grand Master of Cryptic Masons of Idaho (2021-2022), and a Right Eminent Past Grand Commander of Knights Templar of Idaho. He was a also a Past President of the Order Of High Priesthood in Idaho, Past Thrice Illustrious Master of the order of the Silver Trowel in Idaho, and a member of Idaho Chapter No. 13 of the Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor, Past Sovereign and current Treasurer of St. Michaels Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine, Junior Warden of Star Garnet No. 560 of the Allied Masonic Degrees, Deputy Preceptor of Redemption No. XL of the Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests, Junior Knight of Knights of Tara No. 122 of the Order of Knight Masons, Past Prior of Idaho Priory No. 13 of the Knights of the York Cross of Honor, and Past Governor of Tri-Valley College No. 178 of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America.

In 2010, Bruce started taking dance lessons and competed in Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Cha Cha, Rumba and East Coast Swing. He even demonstrated some dances at a Grand York Rite banquet. Bruce was a good friend, Mason, and Templar. I followed him through the officer line of Idaho Commandery No. 1 and the Grand Commandery line. He was genuinely one of the nicest guys I had ever met and I will dearly miss him.

RIP Dad

Last December my father was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Renal Cancer. Over the last 8.5-months, he has been going through drug treatments to fight this devastating disease. Well, it is with a heavy heart that I report that my father passed away Friday night surrounded by his wife, his parents, his younger sister, and his kids.

To everyone who contributed to his GoFundMe, who helped my parents with their house, or helped in any other way, I thank you with all of my heart. Many thanks to the People of the City of Emmett who gave my family and father so much support through charitable donations, recognition awards, and a fundraiser

Dad, I'm so glad you are no longer in pain, but I'm going to miss you until my dying day. Since you were diagnosed it has been a rough road and these last days were particularly hard. You fought so hard. Requiescat in Pace. You leave behind an indelible legacy through your kids and grandkids as well as your selfless service as an Army soldier, a sheriff's deputy, a city cop, a bailiff, and the Gem County Rod & Gun Club. My aunt Kim made a point that everyone grieves in different ways. To me, he was a father, a friend, a hunting buddy, a mentor, and a support. To others, he was a son, a brother, a husband, a cousin, a nephew, grandfather, an uncle, or, to some, the arresting officer.

The Latest on my Father

It has been some time since I updated everyone on how well my father is doing. The end of March delivered a devastating blow to my family as we were informed that the drug therapy my dad struggled through was not effective. The cancer has not only spread to his liver, but the lumps in his lungs have grown. The medical staff have put my father on a new set of medications which is easier for him to deal with; nausea is not as severe. However, there has been one side-effect that surprised me, his hair is turning very white.

With all of my traveling in April for work and the Grand York Rite Sessions, the emotional rollercoaster I was on took its toll on everyone in my family, but my father is keeping up the fight and I will be there to always support him. My family is still meeting every Sunday and the last few weeks my dad seemed like his old self. He was eating, joking, and laughing. Mother's Day I spent most of the day with him. The next medical mile marker is the end of June.

An Update on my Father

Back in December, I posted the tragic news that my father has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Kidney Cancer. Christmas was both joyous and emotional for my family. The cancer had eaten at his pelvic bone, but with the radiation treatment he received in January, he does not require the use of crutches anymore.

At the end of January, people from Emmett came together for a Benefit Dinner and raised funds to assist my father with his medical bills. It was very moving to see my father go to the dinner to see the hundreds of people show up to show him their support. There are no words to describe the gratitude my family has for all of the support my father has received.

My dad is now in Week 5 of his target therapy drug and all would be well, but he is still fighting nausea.

Even if you cannot provide any financial support for #BackupForBrad, please keep my father in your thoughts and prayers.

Backup For Brad

It has been a rough few days for my family and me. After I got home from a work trip to Arizona, I was informed that my father has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Kidney Cancer. Things are moving very quickly with the rapid progression of this awful disease and my aunt has started a GoFundMe page to help raise funds to offset the massive costs. My request is to pass this along and spread the word. Please, if you can, donate any amount it would be greatly appreciated, and even if you are unable to donate share this post with all of your family and friends so that we can support my family and #BackupForBrad.

Here is the link to the GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/backup-for-brad