Knights Templar of Tennessee

2013

Born September 24, 1958 in Rogersville, Tennessee to Charles Lonnie,
and Margaret Lipe Thames. Chuck attended the public schools of Rogersville City School, Lumberport Junior High School in Lumberport, West Virginia and Rogersville High School. He is employed at BAE Systems Ordinance Systems Inc. as a Senior Technician Chemical Operator.

Chuck married Susan Carroll on December 21, 2001. They have 3 girls: Tia Thames Trent (husband Wesley Scott Trent) Emily Renee Moles, and Victoria Elizabeth Thames. Chuck, Susan and family attend East Rogersville Baptist Church.

Brother Thames was raised a Master Mason October 2, 1988 in Overton Lodge #5 in Rogersville, Tennessee where he served as Worshipful Master in 1997. In the Grand Lodge, he served as Grand Historian for Most Worshipful Brother Sid C. Doris III and Most Worshipful Brother Orville Armstrong in 2006 & 2007. In 2009, he served Most Worshipful Brother Dickie W. Johnson as Grand Marshal.

Companion Thames was exalted in Church Hill Chapter #238 Royal Arch Masons on September 29, 1990 and served as Excellent High Priest (1998). He received the Order of High Priesthood March 23, 1998. He is a plural member of Lynn Bachman Chapter #195, serving as High Priest in 2004 & 2011. In the Grand Chapter, he served as Grand Master of the 2nd Veil (2000), Grand Principal Sojourner (2002) and Grand Chaplain (2010).

Companion Thames was greeted in Kingsport Council #117 in September 29, 1990, where he served as Illustrious Master in 1996. He received the Order of the Silver Trowel on March 25, 1996. He is a plural member of Greeneville Council #77, serving as Illustrious Master in 2010. In the Grand Council, he served as Grand Instructor for District #3 from 2006 to 2009. He served as Illustrious King of the East, Order of the Silver Trowel in 2008.

Sir Knight Thames was knighted in Kingsport Commandery # 33 September 29, 1990, where he served as Eminent Commander in 1997 and 2006. He received Knight Crusaders of the Cross April 24, 1997. He is a plural member of Watauga Commandery #25, serving as Eminent Commander in 2010. In the Grand Commandery he served as Grand Senior Warden 1997 and Grand Prelate 2008. He received the Knight Templar Cross of Honor 2006 and is a Life Member of all four York Rite Bodies.

Sir Knight Thames was invited to receive the Knight York Cross of Honor in Tennessee Priory #15 in 2000, where he served as Eminent Prior in 2011. He was invited to North East Tennessee York Rite Sovereign College (1993) and served as Pre-Eminent Governor (1999-2000). He received the Order of the Purple Cross, Associate Regent in 2000. He is a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Valley of Knoxville (1991); decorated K.C.C.H (2012). He is a member of Hasson Chapter Order of the Eastern Star #179 and was Worthy Patron in 2011. He is a member of Royal Order of Scotland (1997); Charles Newton Bush Past Masters Association (1997); Chattanooga Asylum # 2 Knight Commanders (2000); Life Member of Upper East  Tennessee York Rite Association President (1998); Life Member of Middle Tennessee York Rite
Association; Life Member of Tennessee Lodge of Research, serving as Master in 2000; Allied Masonic Degrees, serving as Sovereign Master of E. L. Webb #357 (2004) & J.R. Denny #459 (2008 & 2009); Red Branch of ERI (2006); Knight Masons of USA (1999), serving as Excellent Chief of W.B. Anderson #73 (2007) and W.W. Cannon #96 (2008 & 2009). He is a member of Tennessee College Masonic Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis (2007); Holy Manger Tabernacle # XLVIII, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests (2010); Cornelius Chapel #104 Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon (2012); The Masonic Order of Athelstan (2012).

On May 1, 2010, Sir Knight Thames was elected Eminent Captain General and advanced each year. He was elected as the Right Eminent Grand Commander March 23, 2013.