Cryptic Masons of Tennessee

2019-2020

Born on November 24th, 1961 in Gainesboro TN, to the late Ernest Dow and the late Vera Lynch Carter of Granville TN. He attended the public schools in Manchester City and Coffee County, TN, graduating from Coffee County Central High School in 1980. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from MTSU in 1983.

He is married to Amy Sue Bryan Carter, the daughter of the late William Boyd and the late Sue Jernigan Bryan of Hillsboro, TN, on June 2, 1984 in Manchester, TN.

He is employed with Verizon Wireless as a Data Analyst with Local Number Portability Operations in Murfreesboro, TN.

He is a member of Hillsboro First United Methodist Church, in Hillsboro TN, serving as Lay Speaker, Sunday School Superintendent, Hillsboro Methodist Men’s Secretary, and Hillsboro Methodist Cemetery Secretary.

Brother Carter was raised 8/23/1983 in Highland Lodge #214 in Manchester. He was Past Master of Highland Lodge #214 in 1988 and served as District Chairman from 1989 to 1995 in District 14 and later District 11. He is currently a member Hillsboro Lodge #382 in Hillsboro TN, and was its Past Master in 2016.

He was exalted to the degree of Royal Arch Mason in Stone Fort Chapter #62 RAM on 1/16/86, serving as High Priest in 1987. He received the Order of High Priesthood in 1987. He served as Grand Master of the 2nd Veil of the Grand Chapter RAM TN in 1988. He served as District Deputy Grand High Priest for the Grand Chapter from 1992-1995.

He was greeted in Manchester Council #133 (now Tullahoma Council #102) on 2/20/1986, serving as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1988. He is currently serving on the Dispensation and Bylaws Committee as Chairman for the Grand Council and has done so since 2006.

He was knighted in Murfreesboro Commandery #10 KT on 3/15/1986, and a charter member of Manchester Commandery #40 in 1992, serving as Eminent Commander in 1993. He served as Grand Sentinel of the Grand Commandery TN in 1997. He received the Knight Commander of the Temple, Grand Encampment Knights Templar, in 2008.

He was received a member of Tennessee Priory #15, Knights of the York Cross of Honor in March of 1994..He is a member of the Nashville Valley of the Scottish Rite, receiving the honor of Knight Commander Court of Honor in 1995. He is currently serving as Bearer of the White Standard, in the St Michael Council of Kadosh in the Nashville Valley.

He is also a member of the Middle TN York Rite Association (Past President 1993), Old Hickory Red Cross of Constantine (current Viceroy), Johnson-Sanders Council #416 AMD Past Sovereign, Knight Commanders Chattanooga PEKC, Gaelic Council #60 Knight Masons, TN Lodge of Research, Middle TN York Rite College #143 (received Sovereign College Service Award 1996), TN Forest #195 Tall Cedars, Royal Order of Scotland, East TN Past Masters Assn, Yellow Dog, the 4 Black Llamas, and Manchester Chapter #339 OES.

He was elected as Grand Captain of the Guard of the Grand Council on March 21, 2016 and progressed each year, being elected Most Illustrious Grand Master, Cryptic Masons of Tennessee, on March 25, 2019.