Royal Arch Masons of Tennessee

Born January 25, 1934 in New Castle, Indiana to Lowell H. and Helen Bowne. He was educated in the public schools in Indiana until moving to Illinois his junior year in high school. He graduated from Paris High School and attended one year at Illinois State Normal University before volunteering for the draft. He served two years in the United States Army, receiving an honorable discharge in 1955. He resumed his education at Ball State University, graduating in 1958 with a major in Accounting and a minor in Economics. Following graduation, he worked in a Regional Office of the American Water Works for two years. He then became employed with
Divco-Wayne Corporation as a general accountant, advancing to Chief Accountant and  transferring to Marlette, Michigan. Over the next twenty years his career advanced and he became a Division Controller over existing plants in McMinnville, Oregon, Leesburg, Florida, Hastings, Pennsylvania, and opened new plants in Essex, Maryland and Salisbury, North Carolina. This necessitated several moves, including one to Atlanta, Georgia. It was there in 1980 he started a new career in Real Estate Appraising and Life Insurance. In 1990, he moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, associating with Cariten Healthcare Workman’s Comp Division, serving the City of Chattanooga, Erlanger, Siskin Steel, and Wheeler Foundry until 1996. At present, he is semi-retired, marketing annuities and long-term care as an independent agent.

In 1958, he married the former Jane A. Bennett in the Friends Church in Richmond, Indiana. They have three sons and two daughters, nine grandchildren and one great grandson that they are very proud of. He and Jane attend Jones Memorial Methodist Church in East Ridge.

He was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason on February 17, 1994; passed to the degree of
Fellowcraft on June 30, 1994; and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on July 30, 1994 in Hixson Lodge # 727 at Hixson, TN. He served as Worshipful Master during 2000, which was the 75th Anniversary of Hixson Lodge. He was exalted a Royal Arch Mason on November 11, 1995 in Hill City Chapter # 220 and served as Excellent High Priest during 1999. He received the Order of High Priesthood on March 22, 1999. He served the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Tennessee as Grand Master of the Second Veil in 2001. He also serves the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons as Grand Representative from Tennessee to New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory.

He received the Select Masters degree November 11, 1995 in the Delta Council # 127 at
Chattanooga, TN, where he served as Illustrious Master during 1999. He received the Order of The Silver Trowel on March 22, 1999. He received the Order of the Temple November 18, 1995 in Lookout Commandery # 14 in Chattanooga, TN where he served as Commander in 2000. He received the Order of Knight Crusaders of the Cross April 27, 2001, received the KYCH Degree and became a member of Tennessee Priory # 15 on May 23, 2001. He served the Grand Commandery Knights Temple of Tennessee as Grand Sword Bearer in 2003. He was made a 32nd degree Mason in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in the Valley of Chattanooga on November 2, 1996. He was made a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in Alhambra Temple of  Chattanooga on November 2, 1996. He is a member of The Tennessee Lodge of Research, Chattanooga Asylum # 2 Order of Knight Commanders, Past Sovereign Master of Tennessee
Council # 341 Allied Masonic Degrees, and received the award of Knight Commander of the Red Branch of Eri on February 8, 2008. He is Past Excellent Chief of Gaelic Council # 60 Knight Masons, a member of Cherokee York Rite College # 152 and presently serving as Chancellor. He received the Order of the Purple Cross on July 28, 2007.

He is a member of the Chattanooga Area York Rite Association, a member of Red Cross of
Constantine St. Gregory Conclave of Chattanooga, TN and a member and Past Patron of Hixson Chapter # 310, Order of the Eastern Star.

He was elected Grand Captain of the Host in 2006, advancing each year and was then elected Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Most Excellent Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of TN on March 24, 2009.