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Steven L. Guffy, 32°, K.C.C.H.
811 N. Chelan Avenue
Wenatchee, Washington 98801
A son's joining Freemasonry is a father's best
Christmas gift.
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Photo:
Pictured (l. to r.) are three generations of the Guffy family—Steve,
Edd, and Charlie Guffy—all members of William H. Jett Lodge
no. 285, Wenatchee, Washington.
Growing
up in rural Indiana, Christmas was always a special time at our
house. I had two brothers, two sisters, and lots of uncles, cousins,
and other family members. My fondest memories have always revolved
around my mother's family, especially listening to my uncles discuss
Masonry. Their stories were very inspirational to me as a boy,
and I wanted to be just like my Uncles Ruel and Howard who were
Scottish Rite Masons and Knights Templar. Unfortunately, I did
not get involved in Masonry until my three sons were teenagers.
Only then, did I feel I could devote the time to the Craft.
The thought came to me one day after the death of my mother
(she always wanted to see me become a Mason) that I should join
the Lodge. I asked my father how to go about joining. With a big
smile, he said, "Son, you have just done it." He called
the Secretary of the Lodge and presented me with a petition along
with his personal check for my fees. The only thing he asked in
return for covering this cost was for me to do the same for my
sons.
Gradually, I worked my way through the chairs and was elected
Master of William H. Jett Lodge No. 285, Wenatchee, Washington.
I was installed Master on my 40th birthday, and, when presentations
were made, my oldest son Edd, presented me with a gavel and box
he had made for me. Inside the box, under the gavel, was his petition
to the Lodge. What a wonderful surprise! My son took his Degrees
in the Lodge, and I raised him about a year later. His proving
up was my best Christmas gift ever. Now, for the first time in
the history of William H. Jett Lodge No. 285, there are three
generations of the Guffy family in Lodge at the same time. My
uncles would be proud to know what they started.
Steven L. Guffy
is a Past Venerable Master of the
Valley of Wenatchee, Washington, and presently serves on the Wenatchee
Scottish Rite Speech Therapy Board and is editor of the clinic's
Scottish Riter newsletter. He is
on the Youth Committee of the Grand Lodge of Washington and is
a Past High Priest and Past Commander of Columbia Commandery No.
14. A Past Deputy Instructor in District No. 6, he has received
a 1998 Knights Templar Cross of Honor award and the General Grand
Council's Adult Youth Leadership Award. In 1999, Bro. Guffy received
the Grand Master of Washington's Award (Mason of the Year) and
the Red Cross of Constantine.