Clarence Joy Laney

Clarence Joy Laney was born October 7, 1947 in Morenci, Arizona to parents Clarence Joy and Jean Laney. He is the oldest of four children, 3 boys and 1 girl. When he was two years old, Clarence and his family moved from Arizona to Dallas, Texas, where he later attended South Oak Cliff High School. Clarence entered the U S Army in February 1967 and during his three years of duty; he served two tours in Vietnam.

Separating from Active Duty in October 1969, he married his wife Pamela Crook on December 5, 1969, and had one child, Rebecca Joy Laney in 1974. He received an Associates Degree from Mountain View Junior College in Dallas and worked as a carpenter for twelve or thirteen years. Clarence attended American Trades Institute and received a degree in electronics in 1990. He worked for five years as a cabinet-maker for the University of Texas Health Science Center in Dallas, and worked for the DeSoto Independent School District as the Supervisor of Maintenance. Moving from DeSoto to Corinth Texas in 1995, he was employed for twelve years for Lewisville Independent School District as Energy Coordinator. Clarence received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from LeTourneau University, Longview Texas in 1996. Clarence retired December 31, 2005 and he and his wife are currently living in Whitesboro, Texas.

He was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on August 26, 1971 in DeSoto Lodge No. 1409, A. F. & F. M., and served as Master in 1989-1990. As a plural member of Nash Lodge No. 638, he served as Master in 1994-1995, and is also a member of Stanfield Lodge No. 217, in Denton Texas, and Whitesboro Lodge No. 263, in Whitesboro Texas. Exalted a Royal Arch Mason on October 22, 1974, at Z. E. Coombes Chapter No. 421 in Dallas, Texas and was advanced to Royal & Select Master in Z. E. Coombes Council No. 352 on November 4, 1974.

Z. E. Coombes merged with Love Field Chapter No. 478 and Council No. 396, where Clarence served as High Priest of the Chapter in 1991, and served as Thrice Illustrious Master in the Council in 1992. Clarence Laney has also served as High Priest and TIM of Dad Pender Chapter No. 80 and Dad Pender Council No. 50 in Denton Texas. He is a plural member of Midlothian Chapter No. 211, Midlothian Council No. 148, Whitesboro Chapter No. 377, and Whitesboro Council No. 313. He served as District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Council 1996-1997, and served as a board member on the York Rite Development Fund for 3 years. He served as District Deputy Grand High Priest for the Grand Chapter In 2004. He is presently serving as the Grand Representative of the Grand Council of Missouri near Texas and Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of Iowa near Texas.

Clarence was knighted in Tancred Commandery No. 82 on March 19, 1984. Plural Membership obtained at Alexander C. Garrett No. 103 and served as Commander in 1995. He is a plural member with Denton Commandery No. 45 and served as Commander 1998-1999 and again in 2001. He has drilled on Dallas Commandery No. 6 Drill Team for 13 years. Clarence was awarded the Knights Templar Cross of Honor on February 27, 2001.

He became a member, of Dallas Scottish Rite Bodies November 14, 1972 and served on the 4th, 23rd, 27th, and 28th degree teams. Clarence was invested with the Rank of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor on November 19, 2005. He has been a Noble of Hella Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. since 1972.

Other memberships, orders, and honors include: Charter member of Lyle L. Cross York Rite College and served as Governor in 2001, receiving the Order of the Purple Cross July 22, 2000. Received from the Convent General the Knight York Grand Cross of Honor with Two Quadrants on March 8, 2007. In 1984 he received the Super Excellent Masters Degree, the Order of the Silver Trowel in 1997, received the Knight York Cross of Honor December 1995, in Texas Priory No. 23. He received the Order of the High Priesthood in 1992. Clarence is a Past Chief, of Rose of Sharon Council, and member of Holy Stone AMD and charter member of William Barrett Travis AMD where he served as Sovereign Master in 1996. He is a member of the York Rite Esoteric Association. Secretary/Treasurer of the Denton Scottish Rite Club. He is member of St. Austin Conclave Red Cross of Constantine. He has served on various special and constitutional committees. Clarence and Pam are members of Nash Chapter No. 320 Order of the Eastern Star, and they served as Worthy Matron and Patron in 1992.

Companion Laney served as Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Most Illustrious Grand Council of Texas in 2003. In 2004 he was elected to the bottom of the line in the Grand Chapter and in October of 2007 installed as Most Excellent Grand High Priest of Texas.

Obituary

Clarence Joy Laney, Jr., 76, of Waxahachie, Texas, formerly of Whitesboro was called to his eternal home on Monday, January 29, 2024. Clarence was born on October 7, 1947 in Morenci, Arizona to Clarence Joy Laney, Sr. and Ethel Eugenia (Hanna) Laney.

He worked for the Lewisville ISD as their Energy Manager. He was a member of the Masonic lodges in Whitesboro, DeSoto, Nash, Midlothian, and Denton and The Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Texas AC Garrett, Denton, and Midlothian. Clarence loved to travel, play games on the computer, he enjoyed dominoes, card games and was a master chess player. In his youth he was considered a pool shark. Clarence loved his dogs, and he loved his family deeply and dearly.

He is survived by his wife, Elisa Laney of Waxahachie; daughter, Becki Murray and husband, Jeff of Hillsboro; stepdaughters, Anna Gil, Rose Garcia, stepson, Anthony Bailey Carrillo, six grandchildren, two brothers, Larry Laney and Skipper Laney, and sister, Donna Phillips, as well as numerous loving family and friends. Clarence was preceded in death by his first wife, Pamela Laney and his parents, Clarence and Ethel Laney Sr.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his honor to the Knights Templar Eye Foundation at KTEF.ORG/DONATIONS

Funeral services honoring Clarence will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, February 2, 2024 at Meador Funeral Home officiated by Dr. Fred Thrower. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. A time of visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service time at the funeral home.