MW Grand Master Brother Van Kevin Tidwell was born on May 5, 1970 to Vander and Charlotte Tidwell in Haleyville, Winston County, Alabama. Brother Tidwell has three brothers, two of which are Master Masons. He was raised and spent his childhood and adolescent years in Haleyville, Alabama where he attended Haleyville City Schools and graduated in 1988.
Van and his wife Cynthia were married on May 23, 2009. They have one child, Jackson Wayne.
Brother Van has worked his entire adolescent years in the Manufactured Housing Industry since 1989, in the supply channels. He has proudly worked for the same family this entire time.
MW Brother Van started his Masonic Journey when he was initiated on June 24, 2002 at Haleyville Lodge #464, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on July 23, 2002 and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on July 30, 2002.
Brother Van was elected and served Master of Haleyville Lodge #464 in 2005-2006.
Brother Van stood for examination and received his Grand Lodge Certificate of Proficiency on November 2, 2003. His certificate was signed by then Grand Master Brother Billy C. Ford, who was also a member of Haleyville Lodge #464.
He served as District Lecturer of District 6, Winston County from 2003 until 2010.
MW Ron G. Andress appointed Brother Tidwell to serve on the Grand Lodge Committee on Work, Group 2 in 2010. Brother Van continued to serve on the Committee on Work and was appointed Chairman of that Committee in 2014 by MW John R. Strickling.
MW Brother Tidwell was elected Junior Grand Warden in 2015, Senior Grand Warden in 2016, Deputy Grand Master in 2017 and elected Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Alabama on November 14, 2018 at the Annual Communication.
He is also a member of Haleyville Chapter #224, Order of the Eastern Star and Decatur York Rite Bodies, Decatur, Alabama.
MW Grand Master Brother David Wayne Tucker was born on January 27, 1955 to A. D. and Mary Tucker in Blountsville, Blount County, Alabama. He was raised and spent his childhood and adolescent years in Oneonta, Alabama where he attended Elementary and High school.
MW Brother David enlisted in the United States Army in 1972 and served until 1974; after active duty service he served in the Alabama National Guard for an additional seven (7) years.
David and his wife Connie were married on April 12, 1974. They have two (2) children, Timothy and Jennifer and reside in Cleveland, Alabama.
Brother David is retired from Blount County Schools.
MW Brother Tucker started his Masonic journey when he was initiated on August 9, 1984 at Dry Creek Lodge #626, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on September 13, 1984 and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on October 6, 1984.
MW Brother David was elected Master of Dry Creek Lodge #626 in 1990 and served as Master of that Lodge five (5) times. In addition to this Brother David also served as Master of Clarence Lodge #708 six (6) times.
Brother David stood for examination and received his Grand Lodge Certificate of Proficiency in 2002.
He served as District Lecturer of District 9A/14, Blount County for a period of 6 years.
MW Teddy Grogan appointed Brother Tucker to serve on The Grand Lodge Committee on Work, Group 1 in 2008. Brother David continued to serve on the Committee on Work and was appointed Chairman of that Committee in 2013 by MW Lane Weatherbee.
MW Brother Tucker was elected Senior Grand Warden in 2015, Deputy Grand Master in 2016 and elected Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Alabama at the annual Communication in November 2017.
He is also a member of Cahaba (A.A.O.N.M.S.) Shrine, Huntsville, AL., Birmingham Metro York Rite Bodies and Red Cross of Constantine St. Dunstain Conclave.
Grand Master James Robert “Bobby” Pitts, Jr. was born February 19, 1944 to James Robert and Virginia Alice Chavers Pitts in Mobile, Alabama. He was raised and spent his childhood and adolescent years in Eight Mile, Alabama. He attended Elementary School in Eight Mile and graduated high school at Vigor High School in 1962. After graduating from high school MW Brother Pitts started his working carrier as a Millwright Apprentice, progressing to journeyman and then starting his own business as an Industrial General Contractor in 1984. Brother Bobby was ordained a Deacon in 2005 at the Smithtown Baptist Church in Eight Mile where he and Carolyn attend church.
Bobby and his wife Carolyn were married November 7, 1964. They have 2 sons and 3 grandchildren. Bobby and Carolyn reside in Citronelle, Alabama.
MW Brother Pitts started his Masonic journey when he was initiated on April 14, 1969 at Bowen Lodge No. 240 passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on May 15, 1969 and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on June 5, 1969.
MW Brother Pitts was elected Master of Semmes Lodge No. 878 in 1977-80 and served as Secretary of that Lodge for 22 years. Brother Bobby stood for examination and received his Grand Lodge Certificate of Proficiency in 1974.
He served as District Lecturer of District 44, Washington and Clarke County from 1985 to 1990; also, serving as Lecturer for District 45, Mobile County from 1996 to 2012. MW Grand Master Charles Booker appointed Brother Pitts to serve as Chairman of the Grand Lodge Committee on Work in 2012. He was subsequently appointed as a member of that same Committee the following year 2013.
MW Brother Pitts was elected Junior Grand Warden in 2014, Deputy Grand Master in 2015 and elected Grand Master at the Annual Communication in November, 2016.
He is also a member of the following: ABBA (A.A.O.N.M.S.) Shrine, Mobile, AL., Scottish Rite Valley of Mobile, Mobile York Rite Bodies, Red
Cross of Constantine and York Rite College #51. Brother Pitts was coroneted a 33rd degree Inspector General Honorary Scottish Rite Mason on August 21, 2017 at the Scottish Rite Biennial Session in Washington D.C.
Born January 5, 1956 in Natchitoches, Louisiana
Parents Boyd B. Durr and Vermel “Sis” Diseadier
Graduated Natchitoches Central High School 1974
While attending Northwestern State University, Greg worked in Law enforcement putting himself through college.
Moved to Fayette, Alabama in June of 1979
Worked in construction until joining the Fayette Police Department. In October of 1979, he worked his way up from night shift patrol to Chief of Police. Greg left the Fayette Police Department in
November 2000, and went to work for the Northport Police Department retiring in January, 2010.
Greg then began to work for the Tuscaloosa Sheriff ’s Department before retiring again in 2015. He is currently working for Alabama Restoration and Remediation.
Married to Patricia Ellis Durr
Three Children Barbara Quimby, Pamela Odom, and Matthew Durr
Nine Grand Children
Joined J. Collier Foster Masonic Lodge # 906
Initiated Entered Apprentice February 10, 2005
Passed to Fellow Craft March 14, 2005
Raised to Master Mason April 7, 2005
Other Masonic affiliations include:
Tuscaloosa York Rite Bodies
Alabama Priory No. 31 KYCH
Vulcan Council No. 22 Knight Masons
Saint Dunstan Conclave Red Cross of Constantine
Scottish Rite 32nd degree Valley of Birmingham
KCCH
Royal Order Scotland
Order of Easter Star Clara Blackman Chapter
Zamora Shrine
Dinar Grotto
John R. Strickling was born on May 6, 1947 in Woodsfield, Monroe County, Ohio to Guy W. and D. Jane Strickling. John graduated from Woodsfield High School in May, 1965, enlisted in the United States Navy and served from November 1, 1965 until August 27, 1969.
John petitioned Monroe Lodge #189 in Woodsfield, Ohio in the Spring of 1972 and was raised a Master Mason on September 26, 1972. John’s Grandfather Samuel M. Strickling, served as Worshipful Master of Monroe #189 in 1929 and his father Guy served as Worshipful Master of the same Lodge in 1949, 1953 and 1954.
John managed his family’s business from 1972 until February 1975. Moved to Decatur, AL in March of 1975. Petitioned Rising Sun Lodge for dual membership in 1992. Served as Worshipful Master of Rising Sun Lodge #29 1999 – 2000. Received his Grand Lodge Proficiency Certificate in August 2000. Served as District Lecturer of District 5 from 2003 until 2007 and from 2008 until 2011.
Elected Junior Grand Warden in November 2011. Elected Senior Grand Warden in November, 2012. Elected Deputy Grand Master in November, 2013. Elected Grand Master in November, 2014.
A member of First Baptist Church Decatur where he volunteers in numerous capacities such as choir, kitchen duties, building maintenance, consulting, managing repair, renovation and remodeling projects.
A member of Decatur York Rite Bodies, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Huntsville Orient of Alabama, Cahaba Shrine, Past Worthy Patron, Mary Lou Dancy Chapter 320 Order of the Eastern Star, Royal Order of Scotland, Grand Priory of America. Employed by Advanced Building Systems, Inc., a Decatur based General Contracting Company, as President and CEO from 1980 until 2011. Managing Member of Greystone Properties of Decatur, LLC., a real estate development company from 2000 until present.
John and his wife Sue reside in Decatur, AL. John has 5 children and 8 grandchildren. His youngest son, Jason, is serving as Grand Orator this year and his youngest daughter, Michelle has edited the Masonic Newsletter the past two years.
On November 16, 2013, a reception was held at Lozahatchee Lodge No. 97 F&AM in Piedmont, Alabama, to honor Lane Weatherbee, following his election and installation as the Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Alabama on November 13, 2013.
Lane was born in Gadsden, Etowah County, on May 11, 1943, to Cecil and Mabel Evelyn Lane Weatherbee. After graduating from Gadsden High School in 1961, he attended the University of
Alabama in 1961 and Jacksonville State University in 1962. He entered the work force as an insurance adjuster in 1963 with Gay and Taylor, Inc. He became manager of the Gay and Taylor office in Greenville, S.C., in 1964 and accepted the position of staff adjuster for Nationwide Insurance Co. in Birmingham in 1965. He left the insurance field to join his father at The Piedmont Journal, a weekly newspaper, in Piedmont, Ala.
He continued to work at this weekly newspaper until 1984, at which time he established The Piedmont Journal-Independent and served as the editor, publisher and CEO until March 2006 when
he retired and sold the business. He went to work for the City of Piedmont as the mayor’s administrative assistant. His duties consisted of creating and maintaining files on correspondence, industrial and commercial recruitment, actual recruiting of commercial and commercial prospects for Piedmont, providing creative financing for industrial and commercial projects, improving city
cemeteries, surveying streets, attending functions to represent the city in the mayor’s absence and any duties directed by the mayor. Following the employment with the city, he was the advertising agent for the state’s largest privately owned grocery chain. He gave up that position when he became the Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden. He attended a number of insurance claims schools and many seminars on journalism, journalism liability and photography. He served on the Alabama Press Association’s team to judge other newspapers and prepared seminars on secondclass mailing alternatives.
Mr. Weatherbee married Carol Ann Harper on December 20, 1969. She passed away on October 20, 2005. They had three children, two sons, Greg and Scott, and a daughter, Missie, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Lane is a member of The First United Methodist Church of Piedmont where he serves as chairman of the Usher Committee, a member of the Finance Committee and Assistant Church Treasurer.
Lane was raised a Master Mason in November 1969 at Lozahatchee Lodge No. 97, Piedmont, where he served as Worshipful Master 1998-99. During that year, the lodge began the bi-annual barbecue program that continues to be the largest fund-raiser and source of money for the lodge’s scholarship program. He earned his Calhoun County Masonic Conference Certificate of Examination on April 8, 1995, and was awarded a Grand Lodge of Alabama Certificate of
Proficiency on November 2, 1998. He served as District Lecturer in Calhoun County from November 1998 until November 2004.
He then became Chairman of the Grand Lodge Trial Commission in 2004 and served in that capacity until 2009. He was named to the Grand Lodge Committee on Work in 2005 and continued as a member until 2010, serving as chairman for one year.
Lane joined the York Rite in Lozahatchee Lodge 1975 and became a life member of the York Rite bodies of Anniston in 1986. He served as Grand Marshall for the Grand Chapter in 2003. He joined the Birmingham Valley of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite and became a 32° Scottish Rite Mason in 1989. He was named a Knight Commander Court of Honor in 2005.
In April 1988, Lane joined Zamora Shrine Temple and immediately became a member of the Directors Staff. He created the Shrine License Plate program for Alabama in 1994, a program that has contributed nearly $800,000 to the Shriners Hospitals. He was appointed editor of the Zamora News in 1993 and created the current format for that publication. Lane was honored by being 2013] GRAND LODGE OF ALABAMA 133 named Zamora’s Shriner of the Year in 1994 and was elected Director of the Directors Staff in 1995 and 1996. He was appointed to the Zamora Divan as Temple Director in December 1998 and served until 2010.
In 2007, he was named Director General of the Shrine Directors Association of North America in 2007 in Charleston, S.C. Three years later, he was elected President of the Shrine Directors Association in 2010 in Milwaukee, Wisc., and presided over the SDA proceedings in 2011 in Omaha, Neb.
Lane was elected Junior Grand Warden, Grand Lodge of Alabama in November 2010, in 2011 he was elected Senior Grand Warden, and in 2012, he became the Deputy Grand Master. In 2012, David P. Rebmann, Grand Monarch of the Grottoes of North America, proclaimed Lane a Prophet In Situ in Dinar Grotto in Birmingham.
On February 6, 2013 Lane was awakened by a phone call at 4 a.m. informing him that Most Worshipful Grand Master Charles A. Booker had passed away. According to the Alabama Masonic Code, in the event of the death of a Grand Master, the Deputy Grand Master assumes the duties and responsibilities of the Grand Master. At that point, Lane became the Deputy Grand Master and Acting Grand Master. He served as Acting Grand Master until his election as Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Alabama.
Charles Arthur Booker was born in McKenzie, Alabama on February 10, 1937 to Royal and Pearl Booker. He attended McKenzie High School where he graduated in 1955. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served from 1955 to 1963. After his military ser¬vice he worked for CSX Railroad until his retirement in 2002. The year 2002 was a good year for Brother Charles. He met Patricia Louise Hammons, and on September 6, 2002 they were married. From a previous marriage he has 5 children, 11 grandchil¬dren and 14 great grandchildren.
Charles was initiated an Entered Apprentice December 14, 1974, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft February 25, 1975, and raised to the degree of Master Mason March 29, 1975 in Garland Lodge No. 684, where he served as Worshipful Master 7 years and Lodge Secretary 4 years. He became a dual member of Carney Lodge No. 549 on October 14, 2003.
He joined the Valley of Mobile Scottish Rite on June 1, 1985 and was invested with the KCCH November 21, 2009. He has been a member of the Monroeville York Rite Bodies since July 24, 1987, and is a member of Abba Shrine in Mobile and the Order of the Eastern Star in Greenville, Alabama.
Brother Charles was examined for his Grand Lodge Certificate of Proficiency by Brothers Larry W. Stinson and C. B. Dodd, which he received October 13, 1988. Brother J. C. Brady appointed him as District Lecturer in Group 7, District 31 in 1989. In 1993 he served as Lecturer in Group 7, District 25, going back to 31 the following year. In 2000 when the Groups were combined to 5 state wide, he had his old District but it was now Group 5, District 40, which position he held until he was elected Junior Grand Warden in November 2009 and was planning to return to after his years serving in the Grand Lodge.
Brother Charles has served the Grand Lodge of Alabama in the following Offices:
Elected Junior Grand Warden in 2009.
Elected Senior Grand Warden in 2010.
Elected Deputy Grand Master in 2011.
And at the 2012 Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge was elected and installed Grand Master on November 14, 2012.
On December 8, 2012, he became a Knight Mason in Pensacola, Florida. Also in December, he was made a Prophet at Site in Al Hassan Grotto in Mobile.
Brother Charles Booker was for his entire Masonic career, a faithful servant of the Craft. He will be missed by all who knew him. On February 6, 2013, he was called by the Great Architect of the Universe to service in the Celestial Lodge above.
Sterling was born in Dale County on July 30, 1937 to Houston and Hettie Snell Hughes. After graduating from Ozark High School in 1955, he attended Auburn University from 1955 to 1959. Mr. Hughes was employed for 32 years by B.F. Williams Construction Co. as a civil engineer and superintendent, and by the City of Ozark almost 13 years as Director of Public Works. Since his retirement, Sterling spends his spare time with his squirrel dog, “Trouble”
Mr. Hughes married Shirley Triplett Thornton on July 1, 1978. They have 6 children, 5 sons and a daughter, 6 grand children and 2 great-grand children. Sterling joined the Asbury United Methodist Church in 1946 and has been an active member since that time. He taught the Young Adult Sunday School Class for 15 years, served as the Treasurer of the church for 12 years and was the song leader from 1968 until 1994. Sterling currently is a member of the Sunday morning choir, member of the Finance Committee, Chairman of the Church Council and the lay delegate for the church to the Alabama West Florida Annual Conference.
Sterling is a Past Worshipful Master of the Clinton Masonic Lodge #287 in Skipperville, AL where he was initiated an Entered Apprentice on February 9, 1966, passed to the degree of Fellow Craft on March 9, 1966, and raised to the degree of Master Mason on April 28, 1966. He belongs to both the Scottish Rite and the York Rite bodies in Dothan, AL.
Sterling joined the Scottish Rite Valley of Dothan, AL in 1970, invested with the rank and decoration of a Knight Commander of the Court of Honour in 1985 and coroneted a 33° Inspector General Honorary in 1989. He has served also as Director of Works, Head of all Bodies, and Personal Representative of Karl Reed, SGIG.
After joining the York Rite Bodies of Dothan, AL in 1994, he has served as Past Illustrious Master, Past Commander, Past High Priest and Past Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons of the State of Alabama. He is also a member of Allied Masonic Degrees (Past Sovereign Master), Red Cross of Constantine (Sovereign), S.R.I.C.F., York Rite College (Purple Cross), Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest and Knight of York Cross of Honor (K.Y.C.H. ). He is also a member of the National Sojourners and the Royal Order of Scotland.
Sterling has served the Masonic Lodge of the State of Alabama as Junior Grand Deacon (1991¬1992 ), Grand Marshall (2001-2002 & 2006-2007), Junior Grand Warden (2008-2009 ), Senior Grand Warden (2009-2010), Deputy Grand Master (2010-2011 ), and elected and installed as Grand Master on November 16, 2011.
Ronald G. Andress was born 13 March 1948 in Fairfield Alabama to James F. and Pauline Andress and lived in Bessemer, AL until 1959, when he moved with his family to Tuscaloosa, AL. where he has resided ever since. He came from a Masonic family with his parents fully involved in Masonry. His father was a Mason, York Rite, Scottish Rite, Shriner and Eastern Star member. His mother was an Eastern Star, and White Shrine member.
He started his Masonic career in the DeMolays when he joined the Black warrior Chapter. He went on to become a Chevalier, Cross of Honor and Legion of Honor. He joined Von Bayer Lodge #699 in 1969 and served as its Master twice. He later took a dual membership with Rising Virtue Lodge #4 and served as its Master also. He obtained his Grand Lodge proficiency certificate in 1998 and became District Lecturer of District 28; he advanced to the Committee on Work and served as its Chairman in 2006. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 2007 and has progressed through the line to be elected to the office of Grand Master on 10 November 2010.
He became a member of the Birmingham Valley of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction in 1988 where he has served as Venerable Master and Commander of the Court of Honor, and is presently Director of Work for the Valley. He was honored with Knight Commander Court of Honor in 1993 and received the 33rd Degree in 1999.
He is a member of the Tuscaloosa York Rite Bodies where he has served as the head of all three bodies. He is a KYCH and is presently Grand Chaplain of the Grand Chapter of the Grand York Rite of Alabama. He is also a member of Zamora Shrine, Knight Masons, Dinar Grotto, Clara Blackman Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, Jerusalem Tabernacle XXXII, Royal Order of Scotland, and is presently Sovereign of the St. Dunstan Conclave Red Cross of Constantine.
He retired from BF Goodrich in 2008 where he worked for 40 years as an electrician and Metrology Lab Administrator, and served as coordinator of the Adopt-A-School program for 15 years. He also served on the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama’s Adopt-A-School Program.
He retired from the military as a Master Sergeant after 37 ½ years service. During his career, he served in several different specialties, mostly as an engineer, with his last assignment as Operations Sergeant of 62nd Troop Command in Montgomery.
Brother Hancock was born June 20, 1953 in Cook County, Illinois, the second of five children of Reverend Arnold and Mrs. Edna Hancock. He attended public schools there and graduated with honors from Bloom Township High School in 1971. After serving in the United States Navy during the Vietnam conflict, he moved to Jackson County, Alabama where his parents had been raised. He was employed by the Tennessee Valley Authority as an Electrician and held several positions there in the Electrical Maintenance Department. He furthered his education while employed with TVA, and received an Associate in Science degree from Northeast Alabama State Junior College, graduating with honors. He took an early retirement from TVA in December, 2005 after 29 years of service. He is very active in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union and has held several appointive and elected offices. He is presently the Financial Secretary for IBEW local 721 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In October, 2007, he was appointed by Governor Bob Riley as Chairman of the Board of Registrars in Jackson County and currently serves in that position.
Brother Hancock married his high school sweetheart, Wanda Wooden on May 20, 1974. They have two children and three granddaughters. Their oldest daughter, Gail is a homemaker, married to Brother Randy Malley. This marriage has produced three lovely granddaughters, Maranda, Savannah and Peyton. They live in Fackler, Alabama. Their youngest daughter, Stephanie recently completed her Radiation Technician degree at Wallace State Junior College. She is married to Jeff Harris, and they live in Danville, Alabama.
Brother Hancock began his Masonic career by petitioning Bolivar Lodge #127 in Stevenson. He was initiated an Entered Apprentice on October 15, 1987, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on October 29, 1987, and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on November 11, 1987. He served his lodge as Worshipful Master 1989-90 and has served continuously as its Secretary since 1992.
He received his Grand Lodge Certificate in 1989, and served Jackson County as District Lecturer from 1990 to 1998. He served as a member of the Committee on Work in from 1998 to 2006 and served that committee as its Chairman 2004-5. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in November, 2006 and has progressed through the Grand Lodge line and was installed as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons of Alabama on November 11, 2009.
Grand Master Hancock is a member of the Cahaba Shrine in Huntsville, Huntsville Scottish Rite Bodies 32° K.C.C.H., Huntsville York Rite Bodies, Ten Sephiroth #255 Allied Masonic Degrees, Alabama College Masonic Rosicrucian’s, Vulcan Council No 22 Knight Masons USA, Monte Santo York Rite College No 64, Redstone Chapter No. 353 National Sojourners, Holy Sepulcher Conclave Red Cross of Constantine, Hero’s of 76 Monte Santo Camp Redstone Chapter 353, Royal Order of Scotland, Dinar Grotto, Dekalb/Jackson Square and Compass Club, the Jackson County Shrine Club and the Perfect Ashlar Society of the Grand Lodge of Arkansas. He is an honorary member of Progress Lodge #870, Arab Lodge #663, the Grand Lodge’s of Tennessee and Kentucky.
Teddy R Grogan, Jr. was born September 21, 1951, in Gadsden, Alabama, the youngest of five children of Ted Grogan, Sr. and Agnes Coogler Grogan. He attended the Piedmont City Schools and graduated from Piedmont High School in 1969. He attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, graduating in August, 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. He received his Masters of Arts Degree in Special Education in August, 1975 and his AA. Certification in August, 1976.
He married his high school sweetheart, Lynn Childers, on May 20, 1972. They have two children and six grandchildren. Their daughter Melanie is a nurse in Atlanta. She and her husband David are the parents of their granddaughters Maddie, Allie, and Katie. Their son Todd is a mortgage broker. He and his wife Heather live in Madison and have three children, two daughters Madison and Ava and a son Bryant.
Brother Grogan has been employed for the past thirty-six years in the field of education. He retired after thirty years in the Piedmont City Schools. He was the psychometrist for the system and also taught special education classes at Piedmont High School. For the past six years he has taught in the Floyd County School System in Georgia where he is currently working out of the central office as a hospital/homebound teacher.
He attends the First United Methodist Church in Piedmont and has served as the Chairman of the Administrative Board and as Church Lay Leader on several occasions. He also teaches Sunday school in the Granger Latta Sunday School Class. He is currently serving on the leadership team for the Chealia District of the North Alabama Conference. Brother Grogan is also involved in other civic organizations in his home town of Piedmont. In his spare time, he enjoys walking and attending the University of Alabama football games.
Brother Grogan was initiated in Lozahatchee Lodge #97 F. & A.M. on January 16, 1975, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on January 30, 1975, and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on February 15, 1975. He served Lozahatchee Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1979-1980. He also served the lodge as Treasurer.
Brother Grogan served the Grand Lodge as Assistant District Lecturer of District 10, Calhoun and Cleburne Counties from 1980 to 1990 with his father, Ted R. Grogan Sr, serving as District
Lecturer. He served as Grand Historian in 1989 under Grand Master David Shirey. In 1992, Brother Grogan was appointed District Lecturer for District 10 and served in that position until November, 2000, when he was appointed as the Group 1 member of the Committee on Work. At the November, 2005, Grand Lodge session he was elected as the Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Alabama. Brother Grogan has progressed through the Grand Lodge line and was installed as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons of Alabama on November 19, 2008. He also serves as the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Rio Grande De Sol, Brazil near the Grand Lodge of Alabama.
Brother Grogan received the Capitular Degrees in Piedmont Chapter #111 on February 28, 1975 and served as High Priest, 1979-1980. He received the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons Distinguished Service Award in 1987. Brother Grogan served as the Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Alabama 2003-2004. He is a member of the Council of Anointed High Priests and is Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of Texas near the Grand Chapter of Alabama. Brother Grogan received the Cryptic Degrees in Piedmont Council #93 on March 21, 1975, and served as Thrice Illustrious Master, 1979-1980. He was appointed Illustrious Grand Marshall of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Alabama in 1986-1987. Companion Grogan received the General Grand Council Cryptic Mason of the Year Award in 2005. He is currently serving as the Grand Conductor of the Council of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Alabama. He is a member of the Order of the Silver Trowel and is Grand Representative of the Grand Council of Illinois near the Grand Council of Alabama. Brother Grogan received the Chivalric Orders in Piedmont Commandery #29 on April 17, 1975, and served as Eminent Commander, 1979-1980. Brother Grogan served as the Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Alabama in 2006-2007. He is a member of the Knight Crusaders of the Cross and serves as the Grand Representative of the Grand Commandery of Arkansas near the Grand Commandery of Alabama. Brother Grogan received the Grand Encampment Knight Commander of the Temple Award in 2006. Companion and Sir Knight Grogan has also served the Piedmont York Rite Bodies as Treasurer. Brother Grogan is Past Sovereign of Benjamin Franklin Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine. He is a charter member of Emrys W. John York Rite College No. 179, a member of Alabama Priory No. 31, Knights of the York Grand Cross of Honour, a member of Jerusalem Tabernacle No. XXXII, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, a member of Vulcan Council No. 22, Knights Mason, a member of Lozahatchee Chapter #99 Order of the Eastern Star, and a noble of Zamora Shrine Temple, AA.O.N.M.S. He is a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Birmingham, and a life member of Dinar Grotto.
Brother Stinson was born November 30, 1947 in Butler County Alabama. He is the son of Rufus Lee and Bernice Williams Stinson. In 1966 he graduated from Greenville High School, attended Auburn University in Electrical Engineering for one year and then spent two years at John M. Patterson Vocational/Technical School in Electronics. After Graduation he hired on with Western Electric and spent the next 33 years with the Bell System. He retired from AT&T in July of 2004.
Brother Stinson married the daughter of William Howard and Doris Phelps Solomon in 1967. They have one Daughter – April Lynn Tanner and one Son – Larry W. Stinson Jr. with two grandsons and three granddaughters.
Grand Master Stinson began his Masonic career with his petition to Eureka Lodge #64 in 1977. He was initiated on September 5th 1977, passed on September 19th 1977 and raised on October 3rd 1977. He became 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason in the Valley of Montgomery November 18th 1977 and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in Alcazar Temple December 8th 1977.
Brother Stinson received his Grand Lodge Certificate of Proficiency from Brother C. B. Dodd May 2nd 1979 in Selma Alabama. He is now a member of the C.B. Dodd Memorial Scottish Rite Third Degree Team. Since 1979 he has served the Grand Lodge as a District Lecturer, Committee on Work, and several other Grand Lodge Committees. He holds three Honorary Memberships, one in Roanoke Lodge #132, one in Howard Lodge # 69 and one in the Scottish Rite Valley of Dothan . On May 7th 1983 he became a member of the Montgomery York Rite Bodies and on October 26th 1985 a member of Ashmole York Rite College. He received his Knight Commander Court of Honor in Mobile November 4th 1989 and served as the Sovereign Grand Commander in the Investiture in Montgomery November 9th 1999. He was Honored with the 33 Degree in Birmingham October 25th 1997 and now serves as the Sovereign Grand Commander on the Scottish Rite Coronation Team. He is also a member of the Allied Masonic Degrees, National Sojourners, and the Red Cross of Constantine. He is presently serving as Excellent High Priest of Montgomery Chapter # 22, Illustrious Master of Montgomery Council # 3, and Eminent Commander of Montgomery Commandery # 4.
Brother Larry was elected Junior Grand Warden in 2004. He progressed through the Grand Lodge Line and was Installed Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons in Alabama November 21st 2007.
[ALGL PROCEDINGS]
