Knights Templar of Tennessee

2025

Ronald Jasper Coates was born August 16, 1961, in Centerville, Tennessee, the son
of A.J. and Willie B. Russell Coates. He was educated in the public school system
of Hickman County, graduating from Hickman County High School in 1979.
Leadership Hickman; graduate of 2005-2006. Certified Public Administrator;
2006, County Officials Certificate Training Program of the University of
Tennessee. 2017 Graduate of the University of Tennessee Institute for Public
Service; Local Government Leadership Program.

Brother Coates has been employed with the Hickman County Highway
Department as a Road Grader Operator and Foreman since June 4, 1979, and was
elected Road Superintendent of Hickman County on August 5, 2010. He served as
Secretary of the Tennessee Counties Highway Official Association during 2013
and served as President during 2016 – 2017. He is presently serving on the
Tennessee Counties Services Association Board. He served as a County
Commissioner of the Hickman County Legislative Body from 1986 to 1990. He is
presently serving on the Board of Directors for the Hickman County Senior
Citizens. He serves on the Hickman County Finance Committee. He is a member
of the Centerville Church of Christ.

Brother Coates was raised a Master Mason on May 24, 1984, in Centerville Lodge
No. 618; served as Worshipful Master during 1988, and served as Secretary from
2005 through 2010. He was elected Secretary for 2013 and presently serving as
Secretary. In the Grand Lodge, he served as Grand Steward during 1996. District
Chairman from 1989 through 2000 and is present serving as Grand
Representative of the Grand Lodge of Virginia near the Grand Lodge of Tennessee.
Brother Coates was elected Junior Grand Warden on March 23,2000, advanced
each year, being elected Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of
Free and Accepted Masons of Tennessee on March 27, 2003. He was inducted into
the Past Grand Master’s Association of Tennessee on March 24,2004; served as
Secretary from 2004 – 2009 and served as President during 2009 – 2010. He also
served as the secretary for the State of the Craft committee of the Grand Lodge of
Tennessee from 2004 – 2009 and served as President during 2009 – 2010. He
served on the Grand Lodge of Tennessee Library – Museum Committee.

Companion Coates was exalted in Dickson Chapter No. 123 on February 21, 1987,
served as High Priest during 1991 and 2017; received the Order of High Priesthood
on March 25, 1991. He is presently serving as Grand Representative of the Grand
Chapter of British Columbia and the Yukon near the Grand Chapter of Tennessee.
He served on the Advancement of Royal Arch Masonry Committee. Companion
Coates was elected Excellent Grand Captain of the Host of the Grand Chapter of
Royal Arch Masons of Tennessee on March 25, 2014, advanced each year and
elected Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch
Masons of Tennessee on March 20, 2017. Companion Coates was invested with the
degree of Grand High Priest of the Past Grand High Priest of Tennessee
Association on June 9, 2017. He was awarded the Grand Chapter Ritual Jewel in
2019. Companion Coates is a Life Member of Anchorage Chapter No.3 of
Anchorage, Alaska.

Companion Coates was greeted in Dickson Council No. 107 on February 24, 1987,
served as Illustrious Master during 1991 and received the Order of the Silver
Trowel on March 25, 1991. In the Grand Council, he served as Grand Marshal
during 1992. He was awarded the Cryptic Mason of the Year Medal from the
General Grand Council in 1992. During 1999 and 2000, he served as Grand
Instructor. He also served on the Ritual Committee . He is presently serving as
Grand Representative of the Grand Council of Ontario near the Grand Council of
Tennessee. He was awarded the Grand Council Ritual Jewel in 2021. He is a plural
member of Nashville Council #1 and a Life Member of Anchorage Council No.1
of Anchorage, Alaska.

Sir Knight Coates was knighted in Clarksville Commandery No.8 on March 21,
1987, becoming a charter member of Dickson Commandery No. 41 in 1991, served
as Commander during 1993, served as Recorder from 1994 through 2007, served
as Prelate and served as Commander during 2019. He received the Knight
Crusader of the Cross on April 23, 1993. In the Grand Commandery, he served as
Grand Standard Bearer during 1993, served as a District Instructor from 1994
through 2000 and served as Grand Prelate 2014. He is presently serving as
Grand Representative of the Grand Commandery of Vermont near the Grand
Commandery of Tennessee. He is presently serving on the Knights Templar
Education Committee of the Grand Commandery. He is a holder of the Grand
Encampment Membership Jewel Award and Grand Master’s Club of the Knight’s
Templar Eye Foundation. He is a plural member with Nashville Commandery #1 and
a Life Member of Anchorage Commandery No.2 in Anchorage, Alaska. He is a
member of Chattanooga Asylum #2 Order of Knight Commanders. He was elected
Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandry of Knights Templar
of Tennessee on March 25,2025.

Brother Coates received the Scottish Rite Degrees in Trinity Consistory; Valley of
Nashville in April 1985. He is a Life Member in the Valley of Memphis, Orient of
Tennessee; on October 29, 2005, was invested with the rank and decoration of
Knight Commander of the Court of Honor and on December 12, 2009, was

coroneted a 33° Inspector General Honorary. He served as Venerable Master in the Valley of Memphis Lodge of Perfection during 2012-2013. In 2009, he completed the Scottish Rite Master Craftsman program # 1. He is a member of the Tri-County Scottish Rite Club.

Brother Coates was made a noble of Al Menah Shrine Temple on December 13,
1985; served as Hickman County Shrine Ambassador from 1987 through 1997.
Member of Al Menah Shrine Past Masters Club, Cumberland Clan No. 151 Shrine
Hillbillies; served as Raban of the Clan of Outhouse # 1 and presently serves on the
Al Menah Shrine Membership Committee.

Brother Coates was made a member of Tennessee Priory No. 15 Knights of the
York Cross of Honor (K.Y.C.H.) on March 28, 2004, Knights of the York Grand
Cross of Honor (K.Y.G.C.H.) with one quadrant on March 25, 2003, with two
quadrants on March 21,2017 and three quadrants on March 25, 2025. He served as
Eminent Prior of Tennessee Priory No. 15 Knight of the York Cross of Honor
during 2009 and 2015. He is a member of Middle Tennessee York Rite College No.
143; served as Governor during 2001 and received the Order of the Purple Cross
from the York Rite Sovereign College of North erica on July 28,2001 and
designated an Associate Regent of the York Rite Sovereign College of North
America. Middle Tennessee York Rite Association; served as President during
1995, awarded the York Rite Mason of the Year from the Middle Tennessee York
Rite Association on October 22, 2004. Old Hickory Conclave Red Cross of
Constantine; served as Sovereign during 2006 and served as President of the
Tennessee Red Cross of Constantine Association during 2008. He served on the
Credentials Committee of the United Grand Imperial Council of the Red Cross of
Constantine for the year 2005-2006. On June 4, 2022, was appointed Intendant
General of the Red Cross of Constantine for Tennessee.

Tennessee Lodge of Research; served as Worshipful Master during 2001 and designated with rank and honor of Fellow. Brother Coates is also a member of the Royal Order of Scotland, Grand College of Rites of the U.S.A., Masonic Order of Pilgrim Preceptors Alfred the Great
Conclave #25; served as Excellent Preceptor during 2024-2025, Tennessee Court
#122 Masonic Order of Athelstan; inducted as Past Master on October 14, 2017
and inducted as Past Senior Grand Warden of the Provincial Grand Court of the
U.S.A. on October 14, 2017, West Tennessee Forrest #213 Tall Cedars of
Lebanon, Holy Manger Tabernacle No. XLVI Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar
Priest; served as Very Eminent Preceptor during 2012 and was elevated to the rank
of Knight Commander, Tennessee College Masonic Societas Rosicruciana in
Civitatibus Foederatis, VII Grade; served as Cele rant during 2013, Cornelius
Chapel # 104 S1. Thomas of Aeon; served as Worthy Master during 2019 and
presently serving as Provincial Assistant Grand Marshal for the Southeastern
Province of Order of St. Thomas of Aeon, U.S. Masonic Veteran’s Association
of Tennessee, Tralee Council No. 41 Knight Masons, Ezra Council No. 89 Knight
Masons; served as Excellent Chief during 2009 and presently serving as Treasurer,
Middle Tennessee Past Master’s Association; served as President during 2003,
West Tennessee Past Master’s Association, Ray S. Garton Council # 403 Allied
Masonic Degrees; served as Sovereign Master during 2004 and created a Knight
Commander of the Royal Order of the Red Branch of Eri the same year, Allied
Masonic Degrees Association of Tennessee: served as President during 2012,
Edwin Hickman Chapter #550 National Sojourner; served as President during
2013, Defeated Creek Camp Heroes of 76; served Commander during 2015 and
Centerville Chapter No. 329 Order of the Eastern Star; served as Worthy Patron
during 1993 and 1996. Brother Coates was invested with the Honorary DeMolay Legion of Honor from The International Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay on July 9, 2004.
Honorary member of the High Twelve International. Member of the Masonic Order
of the 4 Black Llamas receiving this in Maggie Valley, North Carolina at the York
Rite Summer Assembly on July 13, 2014. Holds honorary membership in several
masonic lodges. He is also an Honorary Kentucky Colonel. Member of Sam Davis
Lodge Knights of Pythias in Centerville, Tennessee.