Royal Arch Masons of Tennessee

Born March 21, 1938 in Indianapolis, Indiana, moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1946 and subsequently to Washington, D.C. in 1948 and lived there and in  Northern Virginia until 1972 before moving to  Tennessee. He was educated in the D.C. public schools and attended George Washington University School of Psychology for 2 years. He served six and one half years in the U.S. Air Force.

He married Lana C. Wykle on December 21, 1963 and they have two daughters and four grandchildren. They are members of the First United Methodist Church in Columbia, Tennessee. He is Life member of American Legion Post 19, in Columbia, Tennessee and served as Post Commander in 2002.

He retired from AT&T in 1989 as National Materials Manager after 33 years of service. During that time, he was awarded a United States Patent in 1961 for the invention of a device used in telephone communications. He also earned several merit awards. In 1990, Ron was employed as Operations Manager for California based Educational Insights, Inc. and was instrumental in moving the Operations Division from Los Angeles, California to Columbia, Tennessee, hiring over 75 local people into the company. He was employed by the State of Tennessee Department of Human Services in 1993 and served five years as Assistant Manager in the Vocational Rehabilitation Training Center.

Ron received his Entered Apprentice degree January 31, 1974, his Fellow Craft degree March 14, 1974, and his Masters degree March 25, 1974, all in Columbia Lodge No.31. He served Columbia Lodge No. 31 as Worshipful Master in 1978. He currently serves as Treasurer of the three York Rite Bodies in Columbia and is a Trustee of Columbia Lodge No. 31.

He received his Mark Master degree July 15, 1974, Past Master July 15, 1974, Most Excellent Master July 15, 1974 and his Royal Arch degree on August 15, 1974. He served as High Priest of Lafayette Chapter No. 4 R.A.M. in 1976 and is a Life Member of Lafayette Chapter No. 4 in Columbia.

He received his Royal Master degree September 24, 1974, his Select Master degree September 24, 1974, and his Super Excellent Master degree November 26, 1974. He served as Illustrious Master of Columbia Council No. 139 in 2002 and is a Life Member of Columbia Council No. 139. He is also a plural member in Franklin Council No. 134.

He received the Order of The Red Cross September 28, 1974, the Order of Malta September 28, 1974 and his Order of the Temple September 28, 1974 and served as Eminent Commander of Columbia Commandery No. 35 in 2004, and is a Life Member of Columbia Commandery No. 35.

He is a Life Member of Anchorage, Alaska Chapter # 3 R.A.M., Anchorage Council # 1 R.& S.M., and Anchorage Commandery # 2 Knights Templar.

He received the Knight York Cross of Honour in April, 2005.

He is a member of Al Menah Shrine Temple in Nashville, Tenn. and has sponsored two children to the Shrine’s hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, for treatment.

He received the Tennessee Cryptic Mason of the Year Award in March, 2004.

He received the York Rite Sovereign College Service Award for Tennessee July 29, 2006

He served as Grand Master of the Second Veil in the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons during 2003. Grand Captain of the Host in 2005, Grand Scribe in 2006, and Grand King in 2007 before election to Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Most Excellent Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Tennessee on March 25, 2008.

He served on the Grand Chapter Ways and Means Committee during 2003.

He served as the Grand Master’s Personal  Representative of the Grand Council for District No. 7 in 2003.

He served as Grand Standard Bearer of the Grand Commandery in 2004.

He is also a member of the following Masonic organizations. Life Member of the Middle Tennessee York Rite Association, serving that body as Secretary. Life Member of the Knoxville, Tennessee Area York Rite Association. Middle Tennessee York Rite College No. 143, Arch E. McClanahan Council No. 358 Allied Masonic Degrees. Charter member of Ezra Council No. 89 Knight Masons. Knight Commanders Asylum No. 2, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Life Member of the Knight Crusaders of the Cross of Tennessee. Member of the Tennessee High Council Masonic Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis. Past Masters Association, Tennessee Lodge of Research, life subscriber of the Royal Arch Magazine. A life subscriber to the Knight Templar Eye Foundation.