James Wesley Carter

Companion James W. Carter was born on August 21, 1922 in Alto, Cherokee County, Texas the first son of James Wesley Carter, Sr. and Sudie Henrietta Carter. His father was a member of Terrell Lodge No. 83, A.F. & A.M. and for many years served as Secretary of Terrell Lodge, Alto Chapter No. 328, Royal Arch Masons and Alto Council No. 265, Royal and Select Masters of Texas.

After the death of his father in 1927, Companion Carter, and his younger sister Hattie Sue lived with relatives in East Texas until 1930, when at age 7 he and his sister were admitted to the Masonic Home and School of Texas, graduating in 1940. His sister Sue graduated from Masonic Home and School in 1941. He played on the famous “Mighty Mights” football teams and in 1939 was selected All-District and 2nd team All-State Guard and for his gridiron capabilities received a football scholarship from Texas A & M University.

Carter visits the Home and School as often as his busy schedule will permit. He served as President of the Masonic Home Ex-Students Association of Texas in 1974-1975, and from its inception in 1980, has served as the 64th Masonic District as Lodge Coordinator for the Christmas Parties for the cottages of Masonic Home & School and is also serving as a member of the Masonic Home & School Graduates Advisory Committee of the Grand Lodge of Texas.

On July 29, 1983, after 43 years plus Carter took early retirement from Texas Electric Service Company to devote more time to Masonry. He served Texas Electric in many capacities; as Instructor of the first and subsequent Lineman Training Schools for minorities, as American Red Cross Multi-Media First Aid Instructor and retired from the position of Distribution Coordinator. Carter has been active with the Golden Gloves of Texas for 30 years and is a member of the Staff of Directors of the Fort Worth Regional and State Golden Gloves Tournaments.

During World War II Carter served in the 3rd Amphibious Crops attached to the First Marine Corps Division from 1941-1945 and engaged in five assault invasions in the South Pacific and is a member of the Disabled American Veterans.

He is married to Lelia Emily Carter, who also graduated from the Masonic Home and School. He as one stepson, Dr. Bruce Dee Roach, who has his own dental practice in Austin and two sons and a daughter; Jim Bill, Toby Dale and Mylinda Rea, who reside in Houston. The Carters are members of the Baptist Church and reside in Fort Worth, Texas.

MASONIC RECORD

Companion Carter was elected Right Excellent Grand Scribe of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas on December 8, 1981, serving as Grand Scribe in 1981-82. Elected and progressed through the Grand Chapter Line serving as Right Excellent Grand King in 1982-83 and as Right Excellent Deputy Grand High Priest in 1983-84. On December 11, 1984 Companion Carter was elected Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas serving during Capitular Years 184-85 as Most Excellent Grand High Priest.

He was Raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason in Polytechnic Lodge No. 925, A.F. & A.M., Fort Worth, Texas on August 30, 1946. He is a Past Master of Polytechnic Lodge No. 925 and served as the President if the Masters, Wardens & Secretaries Association of the 64th Masonic District of Texas in 1979-80. He is currently a member of the Grand Lodge Fraternal Relations Committee and is the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina near the Grand Lodge of Texas. He has served the last 5 years as Region 2 Regional Coordinator for Grand Lodge Masonic Conferences and is designated to do so again in 1986. In 1983-84 he served the Grand Lodge of Texas as District Deputy Grand Master, Masonic District 64A. He currently holds a 3-year Grand Lodge Certificate in the esoteric work.

Exalted to the Sublime Degree of Royal Arch Mason in Polytechnic Chapter No. 404, R.A.M. , Fort Worth, March 17, 1955. Served the Chapter as High Priest I 1961-1962. He is a Charter Member (Dual) of Donald L. Smith Chapter No. 493, R.A.M. He served 14 years (1961-1976) as member of the Committee on Work of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas, serving as Chairman in 1966, 1972, & 1976 and has a Life Certificate in the esoteric work. Carter served the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas as Grand Marshal in 1980 and as District Deputy Grand High Priest of the 17th Capitular District in 1981. He is Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of North Carolina near the Grand Chapter of Texas and has been appointed to serve a five year term on the Finance Committee of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas.

Greeted a Royal and Select Master in Polytechnic Council No. 336, Fort Worth, April 7, 1955, and served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1961-62. He is a Charter Member (Dual) of Donald L. Smith Council No. 410. Served the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas for 14 years (1961-1976) as a member of the Committee on Work, serving as Chairman in 1966, 1972 & 1976 and has a Life Certificate in the esoteric work; served as District Deputy Grand Master of the 17th Cryptic District in 1972. He is a Grand Representative of the Grand Council of Arkansas near the Grand Council of Texas.

Carter was elected Right Illustrious Grand Principal Conductor of the Work on December 7, 1976, passed through the Chairs and was elected and installed as Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas, December 5, 1978, and served as Grand Master during the Cryptic years 1978-1979. He is a member of the Grand Council Committee on Purposes and Policies.

Knighted in Worth Commandery No. 19, Fort Worth, in 1955. Honorary Member of Worth Commandery Drill Corps since 1972 and a Life Sponsor of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation.

Made a 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason in El Paso Bodies in 1965; and a Knight Commander Court of Honor , October 20, 1075 in the Fort Worth Scottish Rite Bodies. He is a Charter Member and a Life Member of the Fort Worth Bodies. He is a Reunion Director and Degree Master of the 20th Degree, and a member of the Royal Order of the Ducks.

He has been a member of Moslah Shrine Temple since May 9, 1970, is an Ambassador at Large and Shrine Representative to the Masonic Services Bureau, and Life Member Honorary of the Shrine Bedouins.

Member of Polytechnic Chapter No. 420, O.E.S.; Order of High Priesthood; Order of the Silver Trowel; Royal Order of Scotland; Texas York Rite College No. 14, Grand Pursuivant 1972; President of the York Rite Esoteric Association of Texas, 1978-79; Past President of Present and Past Presiding Officer’s Association of Tarrant County 1967-1968; Past President of Masonic Service Bureau 1963-1964; He has served as Secretary of the Certificates Men’s Association of the 17th Capitular and Cryptic District of Texas for 27 years and has been honored by being elected a Life Member. He is now serving and has served as President of Tarrant County York Rite Association since 1975.