Richard R. Jernigan

2022 Officer Corps

Richard (Ric) Robert Jernigan was born December 26, 1962, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to Lewis and Judy Jernigan. He is the third of five children (four surviving), two boys and three girls. When he was two years old his father and mother moved to the Fort Worth, Texas, area where he graduated high school from Arlington Heights High School in 1981.

Ric met Sharon in 1983 when he was hired by National Farm Life Insurance Company as a computer programmer. Sharon worked as a Computer Operator and ultimately as Computer Operations Manager, a job she held until retirement in 2015. Ric and Sharon were married in 1985. They spent many weekends tent camping until they decided to purchase their first recreational vehicle. Sharon and their pet cat Callie helped Ric through college as he attended Tarrant County Junior College (Associates Degree in Computer Science), Texas Christian University, University of Texas at Arlington and LeTourneau University, where in 1992 he earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Management. He also attended the Bell Leadership Institute in North Carolina and served one year on the Leadership Roundtable. Ric and Sharon enjoyed RV camping so much that in 2016 they sold their home and property in Grandview, Texas, and became full-time RV’ers.

During Ric’s time at National Farm Life, he worked as a Computer Programmer, Manager of Information Technology, Vice President of Systems, Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer, and finally President. After leaving National Farm Life Ric joined his current companies, Central Security Life Insurance and Western American Life insurance where he serves as Marketing Director.

Ric’s industry affiliations are numerous. He is a Fellow, Life Office Management Association (1993); He was a member of the East Fort Worth Business Association; served on the Privacy and Distribution Committees for the American Council of Life Insurance Association; the Operations Committee of the Life Insurers Council where he won the Best Speaker award for his talk on Final Expense Insurance; served as a Board member and member of the Legislation and Regulatory Committee and Financial Committee of the Texas Association of Life and Health Insurers; he was appointed a Board member and Treasurer of the Texas Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association by the Texas Insurance Commissioner; and is a member of the Association of Home Office Underwriters.

Ric also served with several Civic organizations. Board member of the Woodhaven Community Development Corporation; City of Kennedale Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Adjusters; and President of the Rotary Club of Fort Worth East in 2005.

Ric was raised a Master Mason in Handley Lodge #1140 in August 1994. He earned his first Esoteric “A” certificate in December 1994. Ric served as Trestle Board Editor for Handley Lodge from 1996 to 2005. Ric was elected and installed Worshipful Master of Handley in 1998 and was awarded the Golden Trowel by Handley in 2003. Ric is an endowed member in Handley Lodge #1140 and Julian Field Lodge #908. He also is a longtime member of the Julian Field Players. He joined Grandview Lodge #288 in 2005 after he and Sharon built their home there.

Ric has served the Grand Lodge of Texas as President of the Master’s Wardens and Secretaries Association of District 64 in 1999; President of the Fort Worth Masonic Service Bureau in 2001; District Deputy Grand Master of District 64-A for R?W? Michael Nanny in 2002; member of the Sam Houston Hall of Fame; Texas Children’s Charity Committee for the Masonic Home and School in 2002-2003 where he held several Golf Tournaments for fund raising; Together Against Drug Abuse Committee from 2004-2008; Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of Iran; District Deputy Grand Master at Large for R?W? Brian R. Dotson in 2006; and Co-Area Coordinator for Fort Worth in 2006.

Ric joined the Fort Worth Valley of the Scottish Rite in 1995. He served as Degree Master of the 18th Degree from 2008-2012 and as Ritual Coordinator from 2010-2012. Ric was honored with the KCCH in 2012. After Ric joined the Masonic fraternity, his mother told him he had been a patient of the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, Texas. “I remembered going to see some doctors and wearing some special shoes as a young boy but did not realize the Masonic connection until after my mother told me I had been a patient out there.”

Ric is a member of Moslah Shrine where he served many years as a member of the Bedouins and on the Ceremonial Divan. Part of the reason Ric joined the Masonic Fraternity was the relationship his family had with Masonry in Wichita Falls. His grandfather, Lewis Newton Jernigan II, served with the Clown Unit of Maskat Shrine and as Worshipful Master of Faith Lodge #1158. His grandmother, Mildred Jernigan, was a 75-year member of the Eastern Star at Faith Lodge.

Ric received his York Rite degrees in May 1995 when he joined Handley Chapter and Council. Ric served as High Priest of Handley Chapter in 1999-2000. He also served Handley Chapter as Secretary from 2002-2004 and Treasurer from 2005-2006. He became District Deputy Grand High Priest of the Chapter in 2006. In 2015 he served the Grand Chapter of Texas as State Coordinator and Grand Orator. He is the Grand Representative to the Grand Chapter of Maine. Ric is an affiliated member of Texas Chapter № 362.

Ric served as Thrice Illustrious Master of Handley Council in 1999-2000. He also served Handley Chapter and Council as Secretary from 2002-2004 and Treasurer from 2005-2006. He served the Grand Council as a member of the Credentials Committee in 2002 and District Deputy Grand Master in 2006. He has also served on the Foreign Correspondence Committee for several years. Ric is an affiliated member of Texas Council № 321.

Ric was knighted on November 4, 1995, at Worth Commandery № 19. He joined the Drill Team in 1996 and served as Drill Team Captain in 2002 until he retired in 2022. He continues to coach the team when available and serves the Grand Commandery of Texas when called upon as a Drill Competition Judge. Ric has served Worth Commandery № 19 as Eminent Commander twice, first in 2004 and then again in 2019. Ric joined the Worth Commandery Ritual team in 2006 and continues to take part in the competition (except for 2023) to this day. In 2012 Worth Commandery awarded Ric with the Excalibur Award. He is an affiliated member of South Side Commandery № 83, Weatherford Commandery № 51, and Temple Commandery № 41. Ric is the Grand Representative to the Grand Commandery of New Jersey and a member of the Grand Master’s Club. Ric was elected Grand Sentinel of the Grand Commandery of Texas in 2013. He was appointed as Aide-De-Camp for Right Eminent Sir Knight Jack Harper in 2021. He has had several articles published in the “Knight Templar” magazine.

Other memberships and affiliations include Handley Eastern Star; Puissant Sovereign of St. Timothy Conclave Red Cross of Constantine in 2021; Texas Priory № 23 KYCH; Tarrant County York Rite Association; Trinity York Rite College; Shamrock Council of Knight Masons; El Texa Grotto, and Knights Preceptor.

When not involved in Masonry, Ric and Sharon enjoy life on the road in their 5th Wheel camper. They try to vacation at Walt Disney World at least once a year and enjoy the occasional cruise. Both enjoy reading and Ric’s cooking. “My father was in the restaurant business most of his life and I guess I just picked up cooking from him and my mom. I enjoy seeing Sharon and others enjoying something I’ve made.” Sharon is a native of Oklahoma but grew up in west Texas. “She may not be from Texas but having lived here this long and married a Texan, she is as close as one can get.”