Ill. Jack E. Hightower, 33°, Elected S.G.I.G. In Texas

Ill. Jack E. Hightower, 33°
S.G.I.G. in Texas
Photo: Ill. Samuel C. Hottle, 33º

Following the retirement of Ill. Sam E. Hilburn, 33°, as S.G.I.G. in Texas and Grand Treasurer General of the Supreme Council, Ill. Jack E. Hightower, 33°, was appointed Deputy of the Supreme Council for the Orient of Texas on December 15, 2001, by Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°. Then, by unanimous vote of the Supreme Council in recess, Ill. Hightower was elected S.G.I.G. in the Orient of Texas, effective January 25, 2002. Ill. Hightower has a lifelong record of excellence in his profession, public service, church and community involvement, and Freemasonry.

Born on September 6, 1926, in Memphis, Texas, Ill. Hightower enlisted in the U.S. Navy during Word War II and then enrolled in Baylor University, graduating with a B.A. degree in 1949, LL.B. in 1951, and, in 1992, a LL.M. degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. Practicing law in Texas, he served on many local and state bars and won many awards, including "Outstanding District Attorney of Texas."

Elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1952 and the Texas Senate in 1964, where he served for ten years, Ill. Hightower was then elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974 and served five successive terms. After this national public service, he returned to the Lone Star State to serve as First Assistant Attorney General and Justice of the Supreme Court, the latter from 1988 to 1996.

A member of the First Baptist Church of Austin, he served his denomination and the Baptist General Convention of Texas in many roles including key positions on the Baptist Standard (the Texas Baptist newspaper) and on the Board of Trustees of Baylor University and Wayland Baptist University.

His record in Freemasonry is equally distinguished. A member of Vernon Lodge No. 655, Vernon, Texas, since 1953 and of the Dallas Scottish Rite Bodies since 1957, he was invested a K.C.C.H. in 1963 and coroneted a 33° in 1971 in recognition of his many services to Freemasonry and the Rite. Elected Grand Master of Texas Masons in 1972, he was awarded the Sam Houston Medal by the Grand Lodge in 1995. Ill. Hightower presently serves on the Board of Trustees of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and on the Scottish Rite Educational Foundation.

Among many other community involvements, Ill. Hightower holds or has held leadership positions in the Lions Club, Midwestern State University, the Texas State Historical Association, and several other historical and patriotic associations. Ill. Hightower and his wife, Colleen, who is an accomplished musician, live in Austin, Texas, and have three daughters and six grandchildren.

Ill. Gary L. Sissel, 33°, Appointed
Deputy In Iowa

Ill. Gary L. Sissel, 33°
Deputy in Iowa
Photo: Bro. George J. Stoklas, 32º, K.C.C.H.

Effective January 1, 2002, Ill. Gary L. Sissel, 33°, was appointed Deputy for the Supreme Council in Iowa by Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, following the resignation of Ill. Harry S. Barrows, 33°, as S.G.I.G in Iowa.

Holding a Juris Doctorate with Distinction from the University of Iowa, College of Law (1973), Ill. Sissel is licensed to practice law in Iowa, Illinois, and California. As a lawyer/partner of Bozeman, Neighbour, Patton & Noe in Moline, Illinois, he specializes in corporate law, estate planning, real estate, probate and trust matters. His wife, Carole, is a high school counselor, and they have three children, a daughter who is an investment banker in Chicago, a son studying at the University of Iowa Law School, and a son in high school. Very active in the community life of Bettendorf and Davenport, Iowa. Ill. Sissel has held or holds leadership posts with St. Paul Lutheran Church, River Bend Foodbank, Rotary (a Paul Harris Fellow), Davenport Quaterback Club, and the Quad City Estate Planning Council. Ill. Sissel's many interests are evidenced by his participation in the Ocean Reef Club of Key Largo, Florida, Crow Valley Golf Club, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, the School of Architecture of the University of Virginia, and the Rolls Royce Owners Club as well as several classic and antique car clubs.

Ill. Sissel's Masonic activities are similarly extensive and diverse. He has served as Master of his Lodge, Brubaker Lodge No. 675, Davenport, Iowa; Personal Representative, Valley of Davenport; and a member of the 15° and 18° Degree Teams, Iowa S.G.I.G. Workshop, Davenport Scottish Rite/Kaaba Shrine Building Committee, Iowa Masonic Health Facilities, Masonic Center Corp., and the Blue Lodge/Scottish Rite/York Rite/Shrine Iowa Membership Initiative. He is active in many other Masonic groups, among them the York Rite, DeMolay, Grotto, and Kaaba Shrine.

Clearly, Ill. Gary L. Sissel, 33°, brings many talents and much experience to his new role as Deputy of the Supreme Council in Iowa.

Maryland Brethren Recognize Illustrious Bernard E. Rothman, 33°, For Outstanding Service

On January 27, 2002, prior to the testimonial program and dinner in Baltimore celebrating the lifelong service to Freemasonry and the Scottish Rite of Ill. Bernard E. Rothman, 33°, Past S.G.I.G. in Maryland and Emeritus Member of Honour of the Supreme Council, 33°, several of the attending dignitaries assembled for a commemorative photograph. Pictured left to right above, they are: Ill. William G. Sizemore, 33°, G.C., Grand Executive Director; J. C. Davis, State Master Councilor, Maryland State Association of DeMolay Chapters; Ill. W. Donald Schaefer, 33°, G.G., past two-term Governor of Maryland, former Mayor of Baltimore, and present Maryland Comptroller of the Treasury; Ill. George R. Adams, 33°, Deputy in the District of Columbia; Ill. Jack E. Hightower, 33°, newly crowned S.G.I.G. in Texas; Ill. C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander; Ill. Rothman; Ill. John E. Moyers, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Kentucky; Ill. John W. Boettjer, 33°, G.C., Managing Editor, Scottish Rite Journal; Ill. Hans R. Wilhelmsen, 33°, Deputy in Maryland; Ill. Charles S. Iversen, 33°, Past S.G.I.G. in the District of Columbia and Emeritus Member of Honour of the Supreme Council, 33°; and Ill. Earl E. Ihle, 33°, Director of Development for the Supreme Council, 33°.

On Sunday January 27, 2002, in the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, Valley of Baltimore, Maryland, about 250 Brethren, ladies, and guests assembled to honor Ill. Bernard E. Rothman, 33°, for his outstanding lifelong Masonic career, including service as Grand Master of Maryland and over 10 years as S.G.I.G. in the Orient of Maryland. The real purpose of the occasion was a surprise to Ill. Rothman since he was under the impression the Sunday afternoon meeting was to introduce and honor his successor, Ill. Hans R. Wilhelmsen, 33°, Deputy of the Supreme Council in Maryland.

The festive event, masterfully organized by Ill. William T. McLaughlin, 33°, Assistant Personal Representative, Valley of Baltimore, began with abundant hors d'oeuvres in the Temple lobby at 2:00 pm, followed by a testimonial program and delicious dinner. Sovereign Grand Commander Kleinknecht, accompanied by Ill. Jack E. Hightower, 33°, the newly elected S.G.I.G. in Texas, was present to pay special tribute to Ill. Rothman. Saying "it is a wonderful honor to be a friend of Bernie," the Grand Commander presented Ill. Rothman with a jewel and certificate declaring him an Emeritus Member of Honour of the Supreme Council, 33°. Among other participants from the Supreme Council were: Ill. William G. Sizemore, 33°, G.C., Grand Executive Director; Ill. David Kruger, 33°, Grand Secretary General and S.G.I.G. in Virginia; Ill. John E. Moyers, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Kentucky; Ill. Charles S. Iversen, Past S.G.I.G. in the District of Columbia; Ill. George R. Adams, Deputy, District of Columbia; Ill. John W. Boettjer, 33°, G.C., Managing Editor, Scottish Rite Journal; Ill. Earl E. Ihle, Jr., Director of Development; Ill. S. Brent Morris, 33°, G.C., Director of Membership Development; and Bro. Dean R. Alban, 32°, a recent addition to the Supreme Council staff.

Among the many other special guests were Ill. W. Donald Schaefer, 33°, G.C., two-term Governor of Maryland, Mayor of Baltimore, and present Maryland Comptroller of the Treasury; M.W. Bennie G. Owens, 33°, Grand Master of Maryland; Ill. Jack R. Frazier, 33°, Grand Secretary, Maryland; and three Past Grand Masters of Maryland.

As Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Bro. Royal Pollokoff, 32°, K.C.C.H., first shared a brief biography of Ill. Rothman and then introduced a series of speakers who made presentations to Ill. Rothman. Deputy Wilhelmsen, for instance, called Ill. Rothman's beloved wife, Elaine, and their three daughters to the front of the auditorium to be recognized. Then, he presented a beautiful Waterford crystal vase, engraved with a Scottish Rite eagle, from the Orient of Maryland to commemorate Ill. Rothman's service to Freemasonry for over half a century. In addition, Ill. Bros. Owens and Frazier presented Ill. Rothman with the Thomas J. Shryock Award, the highest award to recognize Masonic service that can be conferred by the Grand Lodge of Maryland.

Other highlights of the evening were two musical interludes by the Scottish Rite Singers, significant financial contributions to the Maryland Scottish Rite's philanthropy program from the Valley of Salisbury and the Rite Cheer Club of Baltimore, and comments by Olga Polites, Director of the Baltimore Scottish Rite clinic, praising Dr. Rothman for his support of the Hilgenberg Center for Childhood Language Disorders. Finally, a specially produced "This Is Your Life" videotape offered pictorial highlights of Ill. Rothman's Masonic career and interviews with several notable Masons reminiscing about Ill. Rothman's accomplishments.
Deputy Wilhelmsen closed the testimonial meeting with his appreciation to all involved in this heartwarming celebration and for their making it a fitting capstone to Past Inspector Rothman's illustrious career. The Brethren and guests then moved to the Baltimore Center's banquet room for a delicious steak dinner.

2001 Albert Gallatin Mackey Scholars

Ill. Forrest D. Haggard, 33°, G.C., President of the Scottish Rite Research Society, visits the new Scottish Rite Research Society bronze plaque mounted in the Library of the Supreme Council in Washington, D.C. Cast nameplates honor the Masonic writers recognized by the Society in 2001 as Albert Gallatin Mackey Scholars for their "Excellence in Masonic Scholarship" and "Lifetime Achievement."

On October 2, 2001, at the Tenth Anniversary meeting of the Scottish Rite Research Society, the Society's first Albert Gallatin Mackey Scholars, elected by members of the SRRS Board of Directors, were announced. They are: for "Excellence in Masonic Scholarship" Ill. Bros. Arturo de Hoyos, Jim Tresner, G.C., and Alain Bernheim; for "Lifetime Achievement" Ill. Bros. John W. Boettjer, G.C., Rex R. Hutchens, G.C., and S. Brent Morris, G.C. The awards ceremony, attended by nearly 2,000 SRRS members and guests, was held in the Performing Arts Center of the North Charleston Convention Center, during the Bicentennial Biennial Session of the Supreme Council. Two cast bronze plaques (each 18" by 48", pictured left) are now installed in the Library of the Supreme Council in the House of the Temple. They bear the Scottish Rite Research Society name and logo at the top along with the wording: "Albert Gallatin Mackey Awards, Masonic Scholarship & Lifetime Achievement."

Cast bronze nameplates for the first awardees, noted above, are now in place, and there is room for 78 additional nameplates. Thus, these new SRRS plaques should serve the purpose of providing a permanent and prestigious place for the Society to honor Masonic scholars for at least three decades to come.

Hungarian Ambassador Visits House Of The Temple

On October 12, 2001, His Excellency Geza Jeszenszky, Ambassador of Hungary, conferred with Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, about a Louis Kossuth commemorative event to be held on March 9, 2002, in the House of the Temple. Pictured above (l. to r.) at the meeting are: Ambassador Jeszenszky, Margit Lee, Ill. Kleinknecht, Ill. David Kruger, 33°, and Ill. John W. Boettjer, 33°, G.C.

On October 12, 2001, His Excellency Geza Jeszenszky, the Ambassador of Hungary to the United States, visited with Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, to discuss arrangements for a meeting to be sponsored by the Embassy of Hungary in the House of the Temple on March 9, 2002. The event will be a 150th Anniversary Commemoration of Louis Kossuth's becoming a Mason while visiting America in 1852. Bro. Kossuth (1802- 1894), who is often called "the George Washington of Hungary," came to America in 1851 to gain support for the liberation of his motherland from Austrian domination. While in Cincinnati in 1852, he was initiated into Freemasonry, a fraternity he admired as a "noble institution." Thereafter, he made a point of visiting Lodges throughout the United States.

During 2002, Ambassador Jeszenszky is participating in several Masonic-sponsored events across America. Each commemorates the 150th anniversary year of Kossuth's becoming a Mason and his role in world history as an advocate of freedom. Margit Lee, a Washington, D.C., tour guide who was born in Hungary, noticed the Scottish Rite Journal article "Louis Kossuth, Mason and Apostle of World Democracy" (June 2001) by Ill. David Kruger, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Virginia and Grand Secretary General. She suggested that Scottish Rite Masons might wish to host a Kossuth commemorative, and Ill. John W. Boettjer, 33°, G.C., Managing Editor of the Journal, is now working with her and others to bring this fine event to fruition. Both Ambassador Jeszensky and Inspector Kruger will speak on Bro. Kossuth at the ceremony. Ambassador Jeszensky and Ill. Kleinknecht will host a reception in the Temple's George Washington Memorial Banquet Hall following the meeting which is open to everyone.

Senator Jesse A. Helms, 33°, Presented Grand Cross Cap

Senator Jesse Helms (r.) celebrates the Grand Cross cap and jewel he just received from Ill. William B. Brunk, 33°, S.G.I.G. in North Carolina, as Mrs. Dorothy Helms, the Senator's wife, applauds. Photo: Bro. Ric Carter, 32°, NC Mason

On January 6, 2002, at a special Sunday afternoon meeting of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Raleigh, North Carolina, over 125 Brethren, despite ice left on roads from a snowstorm, witnessed the presentation of the Grand Cross to Senator Jesse A. Helms, 33°. Since Senator Helms had been unable, due to other pressing obligations, to attend the Bicentennial Biennial Session in Charleston, South Carolina, in October, Ill. William B. Brunk, 33°, S.G.I.G. in North Carolina, on behalf of the Supreme Council, presented Senator Helms with the Grand Cross cap and jewel and presented Mrs. Helms with the Grand Cross pin.

Following a standing ovation for the Senator, Ill. Brunk congratulated Ill. Helms on his receiving the Grand Cross, the highest honor bestowed by the Supreme Council, S.J. M.W. Jerry R. Tillett, 33°, Grand Master in North Carolina, spoke before the Grand Cross presentation and warmly praised Ill. Helms' accomplishments for the "Tar Heel State," America, and Freemasonry. Ill. Raymond M. Ferrell, 33°, Grand Orator, Valley of Raleigh, then presented Senator Helms with a hand-crafted commemorative gavel.

Ill. Helms was accompanied by his wife, Dorothy, two daughters, and four grandchildren. Responding to the honor, Senator Helms remarked to the assembled Brethren: "My father was the most dedicated Mason I ever knew. His last words to me were 'I hope you make the 33°.' Less than 30 days later, I received that honor. As to the Grand Cross, each of you deserve it more than I do. Thank you. I love you all."

Web Site Bicentennial Publication Awards

The January 2001 Scottish Rite Journal, page 19, noted the names of the 2001 Bicentennial Awards for Excellence in Publication in both print media and Internet web site publication. However, the addresses of the winning web sites were not noted. They are listed below. Consult them and see how the Scottish Rite can make good use of this relatively new means of communication to inform and inspire both the Brethren and the general public.

The Orient of California at http://www.scottishritecalifornia.org is the Grand Prize winner.

he other four co-equal award winners were as follows.

Help For Kid's Speech (sponsored by the Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida):
http://www.helpforkidspeech.org

Long Beach Scottish Rite:
http://www.lbscottishrite.com

Orient of Virginia:
http://aw22.com/vasr

Washington D.C. Scottish Rite:
http://dcsr.org/bicent.htm

Tokyo Concert Benefits Victims Of September 11 Attacks

On December 16, 2001, Tokyo Masonic Lodge No. 2, Tokyo, Japan, hosted its traditional annual holiday concert, but with a special purpose-all proceeds went to the families of the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Bro. Richard A. Smith, 32°, K.C.C.H., Past Master of Tokyo Masonic Lodge No. 2, coordinated the event and was pleased with the good turnout.

Submitted by Ill. James L. Johnston, 33°, Orient Personal Representative

Ill. Harold L. Gwatney, 33°, G.C., Honored In Arkansas

On December 1, 2001, at a Biennial Honors Banquet held in the Albert Pike Memorial Scottish Rite Temple in Little Rock, Arkansas, Ill. Harold L. Gwatney, 33°, Grand Cross, received his Grand Cross cap and jewel, on behalf of the Supreme Council, from Ill. Dwane F. Treat, 33°, S.G.I.G in Arkansas. Other Bicentennial Biennial Session Honor Men were also present with their ladies to receive congratulations. Included among these was Bro. Patrick H. Hays, 32°, K.C. C.H., Mayor of North Little Rock, who was accompanied by his wife, Pat. Ill. Ronald A. Seale, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Louisiana and Lt. Gr. Cmdr. of the Supreme Council, 33°, was the keynote speaker for the festive occasion. Pictured above (l. to r.), Ill. Bros. Treat and Seale congratulate Ill. Gwatney upon receiving the Grand Cross, the highest honor bestowed by the Supreme Council, S.J.

Ill. Laurance Jones III Portrait Received Into The Hall Of Honor

On December 17, 2001, Ill. Laurance Jones III, Valley of Charleston, West Virginia, visited the House of the Temple in Washington, D.C., to view the installation of his portrait, an original oil painting by noted artist Jean Pilk, in the Scottish Rite Hall of Honor and to receive a "Pillars of Charity" token of appreciation from Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°. Ill. Jones is pictured here with the Grand Commander in the Hall of Honor (left) and receiving a "Pillars of Charity" recognition (right, l. to r.): Bro. Kelly L. Castleberry III, 32°, K.C.C.H., Valley of Charleston, West Virginia; Ill. Earl E. Ihle, Jr., 33°, Director of Development; Ill. Jones; Grand Commander Kleinknecht; and Ill. William G. Sizemore, 33°, G.C., Grand Executive Director. Photos: Bro. Dean R. Alban, 32º

Parade And Video Boost Scottish Rite In Virginia

Recently, Ill. Clifford A. "Skip" Parker, 33°, Grand Master of Masons for Virginia during 2001-02 and Chairman of the Membership Committee, Valley of Newport News, Virginia, consulted with Illustrious William M. Johnson, 33°, Personal Representative, Newport News, and Illustrious Lon W. Weber, 33°, Interim Chair of the Newport News Valley's Membership Committee, regarding membership enhancement and public relations.

Colonial Williamsburg's annual holiday parade on December 1, 2001, featured a Scottish Rite float that boosted the RiteCare Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Program and the Fraternity.

Shortly after assuming his duties, Ill. Weber overheard someone mention "Shriners are to parades what frosting is to cake." As an outgrowth of that comment, the Valley of Newport News sponsored, for the first time, a float in the annual Williamsburg, Virginia, Christmas Parade held each year on the first Saturday of December.

Parades in colonial Williamsburg are unusual in that there are folks in attendance not only from the immediate area but also from all over the country. Consequently, the Scottish Rite and our RiteCare Childhood Language Disorders Program received substantial exposure to over 25,000 people viewing the parade. The float was constructed on a flatbed truck, donated with driver by a local business, and featured Scottish Rite Masons from Williamsburg, Yorktown, and greater Newport News. It was decorated with American flags and had a mannequin, donated by the College of William and Mary, representing a young person receiving therapy. Signs on the truck read "32° Scottish Rite Masons Provide Help to Kids with Speech and Hearing Problems, 757-683-4117." This effort successfully raised the level of visibility for both our Fraternity and our principal philanthropic outreach. In fact, plans are already underway to have the float appear in the annual Fourth of July Parade in Yorktown.

Someone also commented that our Craft gets little if any coverage by local television. With that taken as a challenge, the Valley of Newport News Membership Committee, with the generous assistance of the area Cox Cable network, set about producing a 24-minute video. It features Dr. Joe Sever, Coordinator for the Scottish Rite of the Speech and Hearing Clinic at Old Dominion University, which is supported by the Valleys of Newport News, Portsmouth, and Norfolk; and Bro. Edgar F. Douglas, 32°, K.C. C.H., Valley of Newport News, with Ill. Weber serving as moderator. The program focuses on the Scottish Rite and its clinical services for children. Cox Cable ran the program four times every 24 hours during the period November 29 through December 12, 2001, in the greater Williamsburg area and will use it on additional Cox Cable outlets in the Virginia Tidewater area throughout January and February 2002, reaching an estimated viewing audience of nearly 1.5 million!

Clearly, the Membership Committee of the Valley of Newport News has decided that "hiding one's light under a bushel" is not the modus operandi for the new millennium!

Inspector Lemons Honored By California State Proclamation

On December 1, 2001, at the Honors Banquet of the Valley of San Diego, Ill. Robert E. Winterton, Sr., 33°, Personal Representative, presented a California State Proclamation to Ill. H. Douglas Lemons, 33°, S. G. I. G. in California and Past Lieutenant Grand Commander (right in photo). The Proclamation, issued by The Honorable Jay C. La Suer, 33°, State Assemblyman for the 77th Assembly District of California, notes several of the many significant accomplishments Inspector Lemons has contributed to his community, state, and nation.

Valley Of Joplin, Missouri, At The Bicentennial Biennial Session

The Valley of Joplin, Missouri, with 41 attendees, was well represented at the October 2001 Bicentennial Biennial Session meeting in Charleston, South Carolina. This snapshot shows some of the new K.C.C.H. Brethren and their support group. Submitted by: Ill. Wallace W. Willard, 33°, Personal Representative, Orient of Missouri

Seventy-Five-Year Member Honored

On September 10, 2001, the members of San Pedro Lodge No. 55, Benson, Arizona, and several Arizona state Masonic dignitaries honored Bro. Byron Dale Harlan, 32°, a hardy 101-year-young Scottish Rite Mason who gets around every day, with the aid of his walker, and says, "I plan to be around to pay my Masonic dues as long as the Great Architect of the Universe will allow." Bro. Dale, as he prefers to be called, was born on April 6, 1900, served as a DeMolay, and was initiated a Master Mason on May 11, 1926, in London Lodge No. 848 in London Mills, Illinois. A few years later, he joined the Scottish Rite and then, in the 1930s, moved to Arizona where he raised horses and became National President of the American Appaloosa Horse Association. Among those pictured with Bro. Harlan above is M.W. James H. May, 33°, Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Arizona (to Bro. Harlan's left). During the ceremony, Bro. Harlan received several certificates honoring his longtime Masonic service. Submitted by Joseph "Doby" F. Edwards, 32°, Tucson, Arizona, Scottish Rite Bodies

A Son Of The American Revolution

Recently, during a meeting of the Dothan, Alabama, Lodge of Perfection, Ill. Joseph D. Brackin, 33° (center), was presented a certificate of membership in the National Society, Sons of the Revolution (NASAR). The Rev. Walter R. Reeder, 32° (left), President, Tri State Chapter, Alabama Society, SAR, conducted the program, and Ill. R. Jerome Richardson, 33° (right), Past Chapter President, placed the NASAR rosette on Ill. Brackin's shirt collar.

Illustrious Rex David Thomas, 33°, G.C., 1932-2002

On January 8, 2002, America lost one of its most recognized and admired citizens, Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's Old-Fashioned Hamburgers, a worldwide chain of family restaurants. Similarly, Freemasonry lost one of its most revered members who, since his initiation as a Master Mason in 1961, has been a proud representative of our Craft and Rite to the nation.

Bro. Thomas was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on July 2, 1932. Adopted, he moved with his father and, in sequence, three stepmothers as his family sought work. As a young man, Ill. Thomas was struck by the warmth of family dinners at restaurants and, after service as a cook in the U.S. Army, joining at age 17, he worked in a variety of restaurants, rising to be a manager and owner. In 1962, he bought several failing Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants, turned them around, sold his interest, and began his own chain, in 1969, of family restaurants focused on providing quality food, especially hamburgers, at a fair price. Named after his daughter, whose nickname was "Wendy," Wendy's International grew to be a multi-billion-dollar industry with franchises around the world. In 1982, Ill. Thomas decided to give up most of his Wendy's titles, while remaining the chain's commercial representative in a series of over 500 television commercials, and to devote himself to the cause of adoption, becoming the spokesman for President George Bush's National Adoption Initiative.

Bro. Rex David Thomas was raised a Master Mason in Sol. D. Bayless Lodge No. 359 in the Valley of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and became a 32° Scottish Rite Mason on November 16, 1961, in the Scottish Rite Bodies of Fort Wayne, Indiana. He affiliated with the Miami, Florida, Scottish Rite Bodies on December 18, 1991, was invested a K.C.C.H. on November 13, 1993, in Jacksonville, Florida, and was coroneted a 33° Scottish Rite Mason in 1995, receiving the Grand Cross by unanimous election of the Supreme Council in 1997.

Scottish Rite Brethren deeply mourn the passing of Ill. Rex David Thomas, 33°, G.C. He was a good family man, an icon of free enterprise, and an example of philanthropic endeavor whose life will inspire all Americans and Freemasons for generations to come. (Click here for another article on Ill. Thomas.)