Robert Bruce Brannon

A native of Illinois (lived three weeks in native state). Spent boyhood in eastern Kansas.

Attended public schools in Newport and Walnut Ridge High School, Arkansas. Graduate of Arkansas College, Batesville, Arkansas, with a B. A. Degree, in 1925; Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, Texas with B. D. Degree in 1928; D. D. Degree from Austin College, Sherman, Texas, in 1952. Graduate student, University of Texas and New College (School of Divinity), University of Edinburgh, Scotland, 1954-1955.

Seaman in U. S. Naval Reserve in World War I and as Chaplain in Naval Reserve in World War II, serving American stations, ships at sea and bases in the South Pacific Area.

Married Margaret Sanders. They have 5 children: two sons in the ministry and one with major oil company; two married daughters, 11 grandchildren.

Held pastorates in various Texas communities. Served as Director of Evangelism for the Synod of Texas, Presbyterian Church, U. S. At present retired. Served the First Presbyterian Church of Corpus Christi, Texas as Interim Pastor.

MASONIC DATA:

Raised in Pierce Lodge No. 144, A.F.&A.M., Calvert, Texas, July 15, 1927. Past Master Laredo Lodge No. 547, Laredo, Texas, 1935. Past District Deputy Grand Master 41st Masonic District 1937. Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Texas twice, 1941 and 1943.

Elected Grand Junior Warden in 1944, Grand Senior Warden in 1945, Deputy Grand Master in 1946 and as Grand Master of Masons in Texas in 1947 (the only minister since organization in 1837).

Life Member, Hillsboro Lodge No. 196, Hillsboro, Texas. Dual member, Ingleside No. 1361, Ingleside, Texas.

Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Scotland near the Grand Loge of Texas.

Education and Service Committee, 1938, 1939, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954. Director of Masonic Home and School Board, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950. Masonic Home Graduate Committee, 1955. Purposes and Policies Committee, 1957-1960. Memorial Committee, 1962-1965. Fraternal Relations Committee, 1966-1969. Chairman, Committee on Grievances and Appeals No. 3, Grand Lodge of Texas.

Honorary Member, Lake Charles Lodge No. 165, Lake Charles, Louisiana. Honorary Member of the Grand Lodges of Mississippi, Alabama and Kentucky.

Received Pierpont Edwards Distinguished Service Medal of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, A.F.&A.M., 1948.

Life Member, High Noon Club of Dallas, Texas.

Member, Sinton Chapter No. 354, R.A.M., Sinton, Texas; Past High Priest of Hillsboro Chapter No. 152, R. A.M., Hillsboro, Texas. Order of High Priesthood, 1942.

Elected Grand Scribe in 1969, passed through the Chairs and was Elected and Installed as Grand High Priest in 1972 and served for the 1973 year.

Grand Representative of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland near the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas.

Received Red Cross Degrees (Babylonish Pass) and Royal Ark Mariners Degrees in Edinburg, Scotland, 1955.

Member, Sinton Council No. 291, R.&S.M., Sinton, Texas; Past Thrice Illustrious Master, Sinton Coucil, 1964. Order of the Silver Trowel, 1964; Super Excellent Master Degree, Dallas, Texas, 1947.

Member, Corpus Christi Commandery No. 57, Knights Templar, Corpus Christi, Texas. Past Commander, Hillsboro Commandery No. 39, K. T., Hillsboro, Texas.

Member, York Cross of Honour, Texas Priory No. 23; York Grand Cross of Honour.

Member, York Rite College No. 1.

Member, Our Redeemer Tabernacle No. IX, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, with rank of Knight Commander, Dallas, Texas.

Life Member, San Antonio Consistory, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, San Antonio, Texas, with the 33rd Degree.

Life Member, Chinar Grotto, M.O.V.P.E.R., Houston, Texas.

Life Member, Karem Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., Waco, Texas. Imperial Chaplain 1971-72.

Member, St. Timothy Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, Fort Worth, Past Sovereign, St. Timothy Conclave.

Grand Chaplain, United Grand Imperial Council Red Cross of Constantine, 1969, 1970, 1971.

Member, John J. Harris Chapter No. 397, National Sojourners, Corpus Christi, Texas.

Member, Philalethes Society of North America.

Honorary Legion of Honor, Order of DeMolay for Boys.

FOREIGN AFFILIATIONS:

Member, Ye Corporation of Squaremen of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Member, Metropolitan College, The Society of the Rose and Cross with the Grade of LIBER AUREUS OF THE THIRD ORDER, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Member, Royal Order of Scotland, Provincial Grand Chapter of the U.S.A., and the only American who is a member of the Grand Lodge of the Order for life (Ad Vitam).

Honorary Member, Provincial Grand Lodge of Lanarkshire Upper Ward, Lanark, Scotland.

Honorary Member, Preceptory in the Lothians of the Religious and Military Order of the Temple, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Honorary Member of the Preceptory and Priory of St. Anthony in Leith of the Religious and Military Order of the Temple, Leith, Scotland.

Honorary Member, Lodge Concorde No. 42 of the Grand Lodge National Francaise of Paris, France.