Past Grand Commander’s Profile

Unto God give the glory!

Thomas Nathan Turner

Spouse:   Lady Debbie
Home Commandery:   Litt S Perry No. 111
Year Served:   2001

2001 Officer Corps

Sir Knight Thomas N. TurnerRight Eminent Grand Commander
Sir Knight Wayne D. GroceVery Eminent Deputy Grand Commander
Sir Knight James P. SmithEminent Grand Generalissimo
Sir Knight James N. HigdonEminent Grand Captain General
Sir Knight Lawrence E. TuckerEminent Grand Senior Warden
Sir Knight A. Glen McCandlessEminent Grand Junior Warden
Sir Knight John R. OglesbyEminent Grand Prelate
Sir Knight Robert D. CollierEminent Grand Treasurer
Sir Knight Loyd L. ChanceEminent Grand Recorder
Sir Knight Thomas W. SnyderEminent Grand Standard Bearer
Sir Knight William E. MatyastikEminent Grand Sword Bearer
Sir Knight Dock F. DixonEminent Grand Warder
Sir Knight W. David MelearEminent Grand Sentinel

Was raised a Master Mason in Lake Jackson Lodge No. 1317 on January 26, 1976, served as Worshipful Master in 1981-82 and as Treasurer since 1985, and received the Golden Trowel Award in 1995. Affiliated as a plural and charter member of J. W. Chandler Daylight Lodge No. 1452 in Houston, Texas. Affiliated in 1998 as a plural member of St. John’s Lodge No. 5 in West Columbia, Texas, and is serving currently as Worshipful Master. Has held a Class “A” proficiency certificate since 1982. Was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District 31-C by Grand Master Fred E. Allen in 1991, and served as District Education Officer in that district from 1992-96.

Was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Freeport Chapter No. 487 on November 29, 1979, served as High Priest in 1987-88 and as Secretary since 1988. Affiliated as a plural member of Columbia Chapter No. 34 in 1989 served as High Priest in 1991-92 and as Treasurer since 1998. Was appointed District Deputy Grand High Priest of Capitular District No. 6 by Grand High Priest Farris L. Benham in 1989 and of Capitular District No. 10 by Grand High Priest Paul D. Warren in 2000. Served on the Grand Chapter By-laws Committee from 1991-95, serving a Chairman in 1996. Was appointed as a Grand Representative to Italy in 1995. Received the Order of High Priesthood in 1987.

Was greeted a Select Master in Freeport Council No. 402 on January 3, 1980, served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1987-88 and as Recorder since 1988. Affiliated as a plural member of Columbia Council No. 29 in 1989, served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1991-92 and as Treasurer since 1998. Was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of Cryptic District No. 6 by Grand Master Wilbur E. Johnson in 1990. Served on the Grand Council By-laws Committee from 1996-2000, serving as Chairman from 1997-2000. Received the Order of the Silver Trowel in 1987 and served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1995.

Was dubbed a Knight Templar in Litt S. Perry Commandery No. 111 on January 31, 1980, served as Commander in 1990, and currently serving as Prelate. Affiliated as a plural member of Park Place Commandery No. 106 in 1991, serving as drill captain since 1992. Served as the District No. 3 representative on the Public Relations and Special Projects Committee of the Grand Commandery from 1991-1993 before being elected Grand Sentinel of the Grand Commandery in 1993. Was appointed Grand Representative to Kentucky in 1994. Received the Order of Knights Preceptor in the inaugural class of Texas in 1997. Was inducted into Resurrection Tabernacle No. XXI, Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests in 1995.

Was knighted in the first class of Thomas H. Ridout Priory No. 75, Knights of the York Cross of Honor in 1991 and is serving currently as Warder.

Became a member of Gulf Coast York Rite College No. 106 in 1985, and served as Governor in 1995-96. Received the Order of the Purple Cross in 1997.

Became a charter member of Anson Jones Council No. 47, Knight Masons, in 1992, and is serving currently as Excellent Chief. Was initiated into John Musick Council No. 284, Allied Masonic Degrees in 1992, transferred his membership in 1995, to charter Masonic Oak Council No. 323 as the charter Sovereign Master, and has served as Secretary/Treasurer since 1995.

Was made a 32nd degree mason in the Houston Scottish Rite on March 20, 1976, and transferred his membership to the Valley of Galveston. Is active on several degree teams and is serving currently as Orator of San Felipe Lodge of Perfection. Is a charter member of the Southern Brazoria County Scottish Rite Club, and is serving currently as President. Received the Royal Order of Scotland in 1983.

Was made a noble in El Mina Shrine Temple in May, 1984.

Was initiated into Lake Jackson Chapter No. 1009, Order of the Eastern Star, on October 8, 1978, and has served as Worthy Patron four times. Is a member Houston Court No. 2, Order of the Amaranth, and a charter member of Cross of Texas Shrine No. 1, White Shrine of Jerusalem.

Served a number of years on the advisory board of Lake Jackson Assembly No. 284, International Order of Rainbow for Girls, and received the Grand Cross of Color in June, 1990.