Grand Chapter of Texas Order of the Eastern Star One Hundred Twenty-Fifth Annual Session
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Grand Chapter of Texas Order of the Eastern Star One Hundred Twenty-Fifth Annual Session AUGUST 2 - 4, 2007 MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS Mrs. Geraldine “Gerry” Dusek Mr. John Creel Worthy Grand Matron Worthy Grand Patron The Grand Chapter of Texas Order of The Eastern Star Extends Fraternal Greetings and Welcomes You to the 125th Session “Touching the Future” AUGUST 2 - 4, 2007 MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS Mrs. Geraldine “Gerry” Dusek Mr. John Creel Worthy Grand Matron Worthy Grand Patron Mrs. Nell Smith Drenner Grand Secretary “Touching the Future” Page 1 Page 2 125th Grand Chapter of Texas Session WORTHY GRAND MATRON Mrs. Geraldine “Gerry” Dusek Worthy Grand Matron Grand Chapter of Texas Order of the Eastern Star “Touching the Future” Page 3 WORTHY GRAND PATRON Mr. John Creel Worthy Grand Patron Grand Chapter of Texas Order of the Eastern Star Page 4 125th Grand Chapter of Texas Session MOST WORTHY GRAND MATRON Mrs. Barbara Benton Most Worthy Grand Matron General Grand Chapter and Past Grand Matron of Oklahoma “Touching the Future” Page 5 MOST WORTHY GRAND PATRON Mr. William E. “Bill” Owen Most Worthy Grand Patron General Grand Chapter and Past Grand Patron of Oklahoma Page 6 125th Grand Chapter of Texas Session SPECIAL GUEST Mrs. Rennie Ofton Right Worthy Associate Grand Matron General Grand Chapter and Past Grand Matron of Texas “Touching the Future” Page 7 In Loving Memory of Charles W. Morris Past Grand Patron of Texas 1994 – 1995 ur Past Grand Patron, Brother Charles Morris, 77, passed away Wednesday, ODecember 6, 2006 at Autumn Leaves Nursing Center in Carrollton, Texas, surround- ed by his wife Betty of 58 years and family. Charles and Betty were married on July 29, 1948 in Addison and have two sons, Kenneth Morris of California and Randall Morris of Hebron; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Charles was a business man and was active in community and civic organizations for many years. Charles was initiated into Lewisville Chapter No. 935 on March 30, 1959 and was privileged to serve in his Chapter and Grand Chapter in many capacities. Charles was a member of First Baptist Church Hebron where a Memorial Service was held on December 8, 2006. “As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.” Proverbs 27:19 Loving Reflections, Wanda Fairchild Past Grand Matron Page 8 125th Grand Chapter of Texas Session RICHARD T. PORTER 1/13/20 – 1/11/07 WORTHY GRAND PATRON 1969 – 1970 Words seem inadequate to express our praise and love for the life of this great man whose life was an open book for all to read on its pages the peace and love in his heart. Our brother made no loud proclamation, but quietly walked in the pathway of service and duty to his God, his family and his friends. On January 11, 2007, Brother Dick answered the call of our Father after a full life of distinct leadership in our Order, and to the Masonic Fraternity. He was born and raised in Fort Worth and was a member of Connell Baptist Church. He enlisted in the Navy Seabees and served during World War II. He was found- ing President and owner of Texas Hardwood Mfg. Company until it was sold three years ago. He was raised a Master Mason in Overseas Lodge Number 40, then transferred to Riverside Lodge No. 1194, and dualed with Cooke-Peavy Lodge No. 1162, where he served as Worshipful Master and District Deputy Grand Master of 64B in Fort Worth. He was initiated into Lotus Chapter, now South Fort Worth No. 835, on June 28, 1950 and was Worthy Patron in 1954 – 1955. He served many offices in The Grand Chapter of Texas and served as our Worthy Grand Patron in 1969 – 1970, and served offices in the General Grand Chapter. He was a 33 degree Scottish Rite member and was a trustee of the Scottish Rite Hospital 34 years. He was Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of Texas, and served as their Grand Treasurer for 24 years. He was a member of the Masonic Temple Association and a member of Moslah Temple Shrine in Fort Worth. He was loyal to any task and was decorated with many honors, including Knight of the York Rite College, St. Timothy Conclave Red Cross of Constantine, as well as civic honors. Richard and Earnesteen, married 66 years, shared a love of travel, service and family. They spent many summers taking their grandchildren across the United States in their motor home and to their condo on Padre Island. He is survived by Earnesteen, three daughters, Carol Coulson and husband, Don; Cynthia Wright and husband Jerry; Candice Curry and husband Tom; 7 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and a sister, Dr. Jenny Lind Scott of Austin. During his everyday life, he fulfilled his spiritual commission in triumph and left us all a great legacy. Our lives are richer for having known Richard Porter, and we will miss him. Respectfully submitted, Elise B. Hammack, PGM “Touching the Future” Page 9 Harry Glenn Cunningham Past Grand Patron of Texas 1988 – 1989 Past Grand Master Grand Lodge of Texas 1997 – 1998 Harry Glen Cunningham, Past Grand Patron went to be with his Lord on July 8, 2007 at 73 years of age. He was born in Honey Grove, Texas on Jan 24, 1934. In 1951, he grad- uated from LaDonia High School and enrolled in East Texas State Teachers College with an athletic scholarship to play football. Harry left college for the Air Force and served in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. After 8 years in Air Force security he retired to live in San Antonio, Texas. He began a career that lasted 28 years with Sears and Roebuck in management and personnel. Harry was a Deacon and Sunday School teacher at South San Antonio Baptist Church where he was Chairman of the Finance and Building Committees. He met and married Barbara Harn Davis in 1969. They have two sons; Leigh Ross, “Sonny” of Greenville, Texas and Scott Glen who is currently serving in the Air Force at Peterson AFB, Colorado. Their daughter, Carne Cye, lives in San Antonio. Also, he leaves one grandson and three great granddaughters. Harry's hobbies of golf and fishing were pushed aside when he was elected a Board Member and Trustee of North Side School District serving seven years as Trustee. His work on the Expansion and Building Committee as Chairman brought honors, and he also served in offices of National and State School Boards, the National Builders Association and the Optimist Club. Harry became a Master Mason in January 1967 at Somerset Lodge No. 1205 in Somerset, Texas. He served on many Lodge Committees through out his years serving as Worshipful Master during 1975-1976. He was an Advisory Board Member for the Masonic Home and School for Boys and the Scottish Rite Dormitory for Girls, and was honored to receive the Grand Cross of Color from the International Order of Rainbow for Girls. He Page 10 125th Grand Chapter of Texas Session was honored with a Life membership by the Lodge in 1978. He is also an Endowed Member of Henry Thomas Lodge No. 278 in Smithwick, Texas and a member of Texas Lodge of Research. He served and was elected to the Office of Grand Master in 1997. Harry is an Endowed Member of San Antonio Scottish Rite Bodies, serving as Venerable Master of Consistory in 1990. He was invested a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in 1981 and Coroneted a Thirty-Third Degree Inspector General Honorary in 1995. He was a member of San Antonio Chapter No. 391 Royal Arch Masons, San Antonio Council No. 14, Royal and Select Masters, San Antonio Commandery No. 7 Knights Templar, Texian York Rite College No. 60, San Anthony Conclave Red Cross of Constantine, Texas College, and Societas Rosicrucianan. He was also a member of Alzafar Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. of San Antonio, San Antonio Council No. 261 Allied Masonic Degrees, Omala Grotto of San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston No. 17, National Sojourners and invested with Honorary Legion of Honor, Albert Pike Chapter of Demolay. Harry and Barbara joined Somerset Chapter No. 730 in 1967 where Harry served twice as Worthy Patron, in 1980-81 with Mrs. Doris Brown and 1986-97 with his Mother- in-Law, Mrs. Mildred Harn. The Grand Chapter of Texas called him to work on Grand Chapter Committees and to serve as Grand Sentinel in 1986-87; Associate Grand Patron in 1987-88; and as Worthy Grand Patron with Mrs. Doris Efird of Ft. Worth, Texas in 1988- 1989. Thus began a close and loving friendship with John and Doris Efird. Harry traveled to Eastern Star Schools and always to General Grand Chapter. Every where he went he was known for his friendly smile and warm handshakes. Harry charmed members with his quick wit and a most unusual ABILITY to remember names immediate- ly. At the Schools and meetings he attended, Harry would meet and greet the new mem- bers and by the evening of the Fraternal Visit he would be asked to bring Greetings; Harry would stand in the East and look around the room and name EACH member present by their name. Harry's ABILITY to call everyone by their name BECAME his “Greetings” and at the challenge of the larger School of Instructions in Dallas and Houston, he received Standing Ovations for the success of this unusual talent! Harry’s service to Eastern Star and Masonry extended across four decades.