James D. Manley

James D. Manley, Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas

.James D. “Jim” Manley was born on January 21, 1944 in Dodge City, Kansas. The family moved to Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas in 1945 and moved to Fort Worth, Texas in 1952 where he attended school and graduated from Tech High School in 1963 and joined the United States Air Force the same year. He retired from the USAF Reserves in 1985. Jim went to work at Lockheed Martin in 1972 and retired in 2004. Jim married the love of his life, Pam, and they have been married over thirty years. Between them they have 6 children, three boys and three girls, 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. For many years Jim and Pam have volunteered at the Texas Masonic Retirement Community in various areas including overseeing the Museum and organizing the garage sales. In 2023 they moved from their home in Cresson and became full time residents in one of the duplexes on the property.

Masonic History

Jim was initiated in White Settlement Lodge No. 1372 on April 20, 1985 and Raised July 15, 1985. He transferred to Tarrant Lodge #942 in 1990 and served as Worshipful Master for Masonic year 1997-1998. Jim is an Endowed Member of Tarrant Lodge since 1998. He was awarded the Golden Trowel in 2001. In December 2009 Grand Master Orville L. O’Neill appointed Jim to serve as his District Deputy Grand Master in the 64-B Masonic District. He is an affiliated member of Sweet Home Lodge No. 576 since it was rehabilitated in 2013.

Jim was Exalted in Tarrant Chapter No. 416 on March 2, 1989, and served as High Priest in 1993 and as Treasurer 1999-2002. He took the Order of High Priesthood in 1993. Jim is an Endowed Member of Tarrant Chapter since 1994. Jim was presented the Cornerstone Award in 1997. On February 19, 2003 Jim affiliated with Ridglea Chapter No. 485 and has served as Secretary from 2003-2014 and 2018 to the present. He is an Endowed Member of Ridglea Chapter since 2003. Jim affiliated with Riverside Chapter No. 468 in 2009 and became an Endowed Member in 2009. He is a plural member of Stephenville Chapter 140 affiliating in 2014 and serving as High Priest in 2021. He affiliated plural with both TMRC Pecan Grove Chapter 58 in 2022 and Wichita Falls Chapter 202 in 2023.

He served M:E: Grand High Priest Orville L. O’Neill as District Deputy Grand High Priest of Capitular District No. 27 in 1998. Jim has served the Grand Chapter as Grand Representative to Scotland from 1998 to 2002. Jim was honored with the Golden Keystone Award in 2002. He is currently the Grand Representative to New Hampshire, serving since in 2010 and has visited their Grand Chapter on several occasions.

Jim was Greeted in Tarrant Council No. 349 on March 16, 1989 and served as Thrice Illustrious Master in the Cryptic Year 1993-1994 and Treasurer from 1999 to 2002. He is an Endowed Member of Tarrant Chapter since 1994. Tarrant Council presented him with the Cryptic Triangle Award in 2002. Jim affiliated plural with Ridglea Council in 2003 and became an Endowed Member in 2003. He has served as Recorder from 2003-2014 and 2018 to the present. In 2009 he affiliated plural with Riverside Council No. 384 and is an Endowed Member since 2009. He received Super Excellent Master’s Degree in 1995. Jim received Order of the Silver Trowel 1993. He affiliated with Stephenville Council 85 in 2014 and served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 2022. He affiliated plural with both TMRC Pecan Grove Council No. 42 in 2022 and Wichita Falls Council 140 in 2023.

Jim has served the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas as R:I: Grand Conductor of the Council for 2007. He is the Grand Representative to New Hampshire, 2010 to the present. He was elected R:I: Grand Principal Conductor of the Work in December 2008 and served for 2009; elected R:I: Deputy Grand Master in 2009 and served for 2010 and elected and installed as Most Illustrious Grand Master in December 2010 serving for the year 2011.

Jim was knighted with the Commandery Orders on July 9, 1989 in Worth Commandery No. 19. He later affiliated with Weatherford Commandery No. 51 and served as Commander in 1998 and 2000. He was honored with the Excalibur Award In 2002. In 1997 he received the Preceptor. He became an Endowed Member in 2005.

Jim has served The Grand Commandery K.T. of Texas on both the Membership and Eye Foundation Committees.

He joined Trinity York Rite College No. 154 on September 21, 1991 and served as Governor in 2002. He received the Gold Honor Award 1997 and the Purple Cross on July 2, 2000. He became an Endowed Member in 2000.

He was invited to join Tejas Council No. 282 Allied Masonic Degree in 1995 and served as Sovereign Master in 2000.

He was invited to join the Red Cross of Constantine in 2001, and later served as Sovereign Master in 2008.

He was invited to join Texas Priory No. 23, K.Y.C.H. in 2000 and served as Eminent Prior in 2009.

He was invited to join the Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests.