Past Grand High Priest Profile

Joseph Talerson Mabry, Jr.

Home Chapter:   San Felipe de Austin No. 1
Year Served:   1983

J. T. Mabry was born in Wolfe City, Texas, on June 9, 1913. The family moved to Ravenna, Texas where he attended Public School and graduated from Bonham High School in 1932. He attended Brantley-Draughn Business College in Fort Worth, Texas. He retired from business in 1978 and now devotes his time to various Masonic groups. He is a member of the Methodist Church. He served with the 13th U.S. Air Force from 1942 to 1945 in the Pacific Theater.

Companion Mabry is married to MaxCelle K. Mabry and they have four sons: L. P. Mabry in Virginia Beach, Virginia; G. B. Mabry in Miami, Florida; Jackson Wilson in Portland, Oregon; and Kirk Wilson in Tyler, Texas. They have several grandchildren.

MASONIC HISTORY

Raised a Master Mason in Tucker Lodge No. 297, Galveston, Texas, on April 25, 1956, and served as Worshipful Master in 1967-68. He is Treasurer of his Lodge and President of the Masonic Temple Association in Galveston. He was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas in 1980.

Exalted a Royal Arch Mason in San Felipe de Austin Chapter No. 1, in 1960, and is presently serving as its Treasurer. He served the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas as District Deputy Grand High Priest of District 5-B, in 1973. Was elected Right Excellent Grand King in 1980, Right Excellent Deputy Grand High Priest in 1981, and was elected and installed as Most Excellent Grand High Priest in 1982 and served during the year 1983.

Greeted a Royal and Select Master in Galveston Council No. 16 in 1960, and served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1965-66. He served the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas as Illustrious Grand Captain of the Guards in 1976 and District Deputy Grand Master in 1977.

Knighted in San Felipe de Austin Commandery No. 1, in 1960, and served as Commander in 1968. He is a Life Member of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation.

He is a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of The Valley of Galveston and has served as presiding Officer of all the Bodies. He is Master of the 19th Degree and a member of the 4th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 29th and 31st Degrees. He was invested as a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in 1973, and was Coroneted a Thirty-third Degree Inspector General (Honorary) in 1981.

He is a member of El Mina Shrine, A.A.O.N.M.S., and is serving on the Ritual Team.

He is a Past Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, and served for ten years on the Rainbow Advisory Board. He is a recipient of the Grand Cross of Color. He is a member of Texas York Rite college No. 14 and served as Governor; received the Purple Cross from the York Rite Sovereign College of North America; a Life Member of the Knights York Cross of Honour; member of the Order of High Priesthood, and the Order of the Silver Trowel; the Royal Order of Scotland; received the Super Excellent Masters Degree; and is Past President of the York Rote Esoteric Association.