Francis Edwin "Skip" Smith, Jr.

F.E. "Skip" Smith, Jr. was born in 1960 in Dallas, Texas. Skip attended Southern Methodist University BA, BS, Honors; The University of Dallas, MBA, Contract Management; SMU School of Law, Juris Doctor. Skip is licensed by the Bars of Texas, Colorado and the District of Columbia.

Raised in Hillcrest Lodge No. 1318 on June 15, 1993, serving as Worshipful Master 1998-1999 and receiving the Golden Trowel Award in 2006. Plural member with Oak Cliff Lodge No. 705, serving as Worshipful Master 2002-2003. Plural member in Northern Star and Charter Secretary 2007-2008. Served as District Deputy Grand Master for District 14-B in 2002. Skip served the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Texas as Right Worshipful Grand Orator in 2010 and on Committees of the Fraternal Relations 2004-2008, Civil Law 2010-2018, and Purposes and Policies (for 2 days) during the Grand Communication of R:W: Tommy F. Chapman, 2019.

Exalted as a Royal Arch Mason in Love Field Chapter No. 478 on September 24, 1994. He joined Oak Cliff Chapter No. 373 as a Plural Member in 1997, serving as High Priest in 2000 and awarded the Cornerstone Award in 2002. Oak Cliff merged with Midlothian Chapter No. 211 in 2007. Joined Hillsboro Chapter No. 152 as a Plural member in 2008. He is an Endowed Member of all three Chapters. Skip served the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas on the Jurisprudence Committee from 2003-2007 and 2013-2018, Chairman in 2013 and Co-Chairman in 2018. Purposes and Policies Committee 2008-2012, serving as Chairman in 2010 and again in 2012. District Deputy Grand High Priest in 2002 for Capitular District 15 and 2011 for Capitular District 17. He was Excellent Grand Master of the 1st Veil for 2007, Excellent Grand Orator for 2008, Excellent Grand Marshal in 2017. Skip was elected Right Excellent Grand Scribe in 2018, Right Excellent Grand King in 2019, Right Excellent Deputy Grand High Priest in February 2021 and was elected and installed as Most Excellent Grand High Priest on December 11, 2021 for the year 2022.

Greeted a Royal and Select Master in Love Field Council No. 396 on September 24, 1994. He joined Oak Cliff Council No. 310 as a Plural Member in 1997 serving as Thrice Illustrious Master in 2000. Oak Cliff merged with Midlothian Council No. 148. Skip also joined Hillsboro Council No. 94 as a Plural Member in 2008 and was awarded the Cryptic Triangle Award in 2017. He is Endowed in all three Councils. He served the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas on the By-Laws Committee 2004-2008 and 2013-2016, Co-Chairman in 2012, 2014 and 2015 and serving as Chairman in 2016. District Deputy Grand Master in 2014 for Cryptic District No. 16. He was Right Illustrious Grand Captain of the Guards 2010 and Right Illustrious Grand Chaplain 2017. He served on the Purposes and Policies Committee 2017-2021.

Knighted in Tancred Commandery No. 82, K.T. October 27, 1994, was Commander in 1998 and was awarded the Excalibur Award in 2004. He joined Hillsboro Commandery, and was Commander. Skip has served the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Texas on the Purposes and Policies and Jurisprudence Committees.

Coroneted a 33 Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Dallas, in September 2013. Served as Master of Kadosh. Founding member of the Knights of St. Andrew.

Other memberships include: The Royal Order of Scotland, Lyle Cross York Rite College No. 147, plural member of North Texas York Rite College No. 118, Governor in 2012. A Member of the Sovereign York Royal Cross of North America, serving on the Jurisprudence Committee. Holy Stone Allied Masonic Degree, Past Sovereign Master, Order of the Scarlet Cord 4th Degree, Red Branch of Eri 4th Degree, Knight Masons; Rose of Sharon Council No. 49, Past Excellent Chief for 2010; Grand Superintendent for Central Texas; Red Cross of Constantine, DeMolay Conclave; North Texas Priory No. 73, KYCH, Past Prior in 2015; Masonic Order of Athelstan, Joined the Operatives August 2010; St. Thomas of Acon, Tejas No. 6, plural in Texas No. 9, Past Worthy Master.