Knights Templar of Tennessee

1997

Born in Smith County, Tennessee on September 22, 1939, the son of Ruby Vantrease Johnson and Jim B. Johnson. He attended Grant Elementary School and graduated from Gordonsville High School in 1957. Brother Dickie attended Vol State, University of Tennessee and Cambridge State University, earning a degree in Sociology. He received his theology training in
 Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

Brother Johnson worked at Nashville Electric Service for thirty-seven years, serving as CEO of the Employees Credit Union. He retired in 1996. Brother Johnson was called into the ministry in 1968 and has served several United Methodist Circuits over the years. While working at Nashville Electric Service, he also served as pastor on a part-time basis for several years.

In June of 1997, Rev. Johnson was appointed to the Gordonsville-Temperance Hall-Lancaster United Methodist Circuit on a full-time basis, retiring in June, 2008. He is ordained and serves as an Associate Member of the Tennessee Annual Conference.

Brother Johnson was married on November 23, 1957 to Delores Hemontolor of Lebanon, Tennessee. They have two children and five grandchildren. The eldest grandson was killed in 2004 in a motorcycle accident while serving in the United States Marines. Dolores is a retired high school teacher having served at Watertown High School for over twenty-five years.

Brother Johnson was raised a Master Mason in Lebanon Lodge No. 98 in July, 1961 and served as Worshipful Master in 1965. He holds a plural membership in New Middleton Lodge No. 249. Brother Johnson served the Grand Lodge as Grand Sword Bearer in 1972 and Grand Chaplain in 2003. He is Past High priest of Lebanon Chapter No. 25 RAM and served the Grand Chapter in 2002 as Grand Chaplain. Brother Johnson is Past Grand President of the Order of High Priesthood. He is presently serving as Grand Chaplain of the General Grand Chapter RAM. Brother Johnson is Past Illustrious Master of Lebanon Council No. 109 CM and received the Cryptic Mason of the Year award in 1995. He has received the Order of the Silver Trowel. He is Past Commander of Baldwin Commandery No. 7 KT and served the Grand Commandery in 1992 as Grand Sword Bearer and in 1997 as R.E. Grand Commander. Brother Johnson
 is also a member of Nashville Commandery No. 1. He is a Knight Crusader of the Cross and a Knight Commander of the Temple. He is serving the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar as a member of the Finance Committee. Brother Johnson is KYGCH in the York Rite and KCCH in the Scottish Rite. He is Past Puissant Sovereign of the Red Cross of Constantine.

Brother Johnson is Past Worthy Patron of Rose Croix Chapter No. 95 OES. He is Past Governor of Middle Tennessee York Rite College No. 143, having received the Order of the Purple Cross in 1998. He is a member of Scottish Rite Valley of Nashville, SJ. Brother Johnson is a member of A-Menah Shrine A.A.O.N.M.S. and served as Chaplain for three years. He holds membership in several other affiliated Masonic bodies.

Brother Johnson was elected Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden on March 23, 2006,and has advanced each year, being elected Most Worshipful Grand Master on March 26, 2009.

Wayne married his high school sweetheart Nancy Saultz March 2, 1968. They have two children Brian Gunter and Danah Thunquist and three grandchildren Andrew, Cameron and Karlee.

Wayne was Initiated October 11, 1988, Passed November 11, 1988, and Raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason January 14, 1989, in Rhea Springs Lodge #310 Spring City, Tennessee.

Wayne was exalted into the Royal Arch Degrees in Rhea Springs Chapter #83 in 1989. He served as High Priest in 2010 and is currently serving as Captain of the Host. Greeted as a Select Master in Drummond Council #86 in Crossville, TN in 1989. Served as Illustrious Master 2010 and 2012 and currently serving as Captain of the Guard. He is also a plural member of Calvary Council #140 in Dayton, TN.

In 1989 Wayne was Knighted in Plateau Commandery #38 Crossville, TN and served as Commander in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015. He is also a plural member of Cyrene Commandery #42 Dayton, TN.

He is a member of the York Rite College, serving as Primate, Order of the Purple Cross, Knight Of The York Cross Of Honour, The Tennessee College Masonic Societas Rosicruciana in Civitiatibus Foederatis, the Scottish Rite Chattanooga, TN serving as Orator in the Lodge of Perfection, St. Mathias conclave Red Cross of Constantine and Appendant Orders and serving as Orator, St Thomas of Acon Cornelius Chapel #104, The Allied Masonic Degrees, Knight Commanders, The Super Excellent Masters Degree, Order of High Priesthood, Order of the Silver Trowel now serving as Illustrious Prince of the South, Knight Masons, York Rite Association, Knight Crusaders of the Cross and National Sojourners.

Wayne served as Grand Senior Warden of the Grand Commandery in 2011 and Grand Sword Bearer in 2012. He was elected Grand Captain General in 2014 and has advanced each year with great enthusiasm. It has been an honor for him to serve the Grand Commandery of the great state of Tennessee.