Clyde VanCleave May

Born October 5, 1906, in Port Arthur, Texas. Graduated from Port Arthur Public Schools in 1922 and Texas A. & M. College in 1926.

Married Mabel Elnora Sweger in Enid, Oklahoma, on April 29, 1928. They have three sons, one daughter, and thirteen grandchildren.

Worked as Gauger, Laboratory Tester, Chemical Engineer, Packaging and Shipping Supervisor and Operations Foreman in Petroleum Refineries in Enid and Duncan, Oklahoma, and Port Arthur, Texas. Retired from Gulf Oil Corporation’s Port Arthur Refinery, May 1, 1967.

Commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Infantry Reserve, in January, 1928. On active duty as CCC Company Officer, May 1935, to April, 1936. On active duty with Army during World War II from June, 1941, to February, 1946. Retired from Army Reserve as Lt. Colonel, November 1, 1966.

Member of Methodist Temple and Men’s Bible Class of that church in Port Arthur. President of Port Arthur Chapter, Reserve Officer’s Assn. 1947. President of Port Arthur A. & M. Ex-Student Assn. 1953.

Raised a Master Mason in Duncan (Oklahoma) Lodge No. 60 on December 20, 1934. Demitted to Cosmopolitan Lodge No. 872 in Port Arthur in 1949. Served as Master 1958-59. Served as District Deputy Grand Master, District No. 26-A, in 1965.

Exalted in Port Arthur Chapter No. 250 on April 11, 1946. Served as High Priest, 1949-50. Treasurer since 1959. Grand Junior Steward, 1960. Grand Representative of Grand Chapter of Oklahoma. Anointed in Order of High Priesthood in 1949. Served as Most Excellent Grand High Priest of Order in 1962. Elected Grand Scribe in 1965, passed through the Chairs, elected and installed Grand High Priest, December 3, 1968, and presided at the annual Convocation in 1969.

Greeted in Port Arthur Council No. 185 on June 10, 1946. Served as Thrice Illustrious Master, 1949-50. Treasurer since 1959. Grand Visitor 4th Cryptic District, 1952. Grand Captain of the Guards, 1959. Grand Representative of Grand Council of Oregon. Super Excellent Master’s Degree in 1949. Charter member of Order of the Silver Trowel in Louisiana in 1951 and in Texas in 1952. Served as Thrice Illustrious Master of Order in Texas, 1959.

Knighted in Port Arthur Commandery No. 73 in 1954. Served as Commander in 1963; now Treasurer.

Received the 32nd Degree, Scottish Rite in Columbus, Georgia. Consistory in 1944. Now a member of the Galveston Bodies.

Member of El Mina Shrine Temple, Galveston.

Member of Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, Knights of the York Cross of Honour, York Rite College, and Royal Order of Scotland.

Honorary member of the Grand Chapters, Grand Councils, and several appendant Bodies of Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Honorary member of Order of High Priesthood and Order of Silver Trowel of Missouri.