John Charles Elkinton

Companion John Charles Elkinton was born on January 24, 1957, in Houston, Harris County, Texas the son of Charles Harold and Marie Frances Elkinton. Educated in the Houston Independent School District and graduated from Charles H. Milby High School in 1975. He attended the University of Houston where he studied Architecture and Computer Science and is a member of Park Place Baptist Church.

Masonic History

Companion Elkinton was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Park Place Lodge 1172, A.F. & A.M., Houston, Texas on May 11, 1978. He served Park Place Lodge as Worshipful Master, 1985-86. He is a Life and Endowed Member of Park Place Lodge and served as Secretary since 1996.

He served the Masters, Wardens, and Secretaries Association of the 30th Masonic Districts of Texas as Vice President and President Elect before serving as President in 1985-86.

He is a Charter and Endowed Member of J.W. Chandler Lodge No. 1452 in Houston. A member of the Texas Lodge of Research where he served as Senior Steward, 1992-93, Senior Decon, 1993-94 and Chaplain, 1994-95.

He served the Grand Lodge of Texas on the Special Assignments Committee in 1989 and 1990; the Fraternal Relations Committee in 1992 and as Chairman of the Committee on Returns of Lodges U.D. No. 1 in 1993. He served as a member of the Warden’s Retreat Team. He served as District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District 30-G in 1996 and is the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of the Czech Republic near the Grand Lodge of Texas.

Initiated in Chinar Grotto, September 28, 1979, where he served as Secretary and Stage Director. He was a Charter member of Allah Grotto in Dallas.

He received the degrees of the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Houston, March 1979. He was elected to the Rank and Decoration of the Knight Commander of the Court of Honour in 1981 and was Coronetted a 33° Inspector General Honorary in 1991. He has served on the Wardrobe Committee, the Secretary’s Staff Committee, the Lighting Booth Committee where he served as Chairman, as Assistant Stage Director and served for eight years as State Director. He has been a member of the 28° and 32° teams and served a number of years as a member of the Inspector General’s Advisory Conference of the Valley of Houston. During his time as Stage Director he also served as the Grand Flight Leader of Canvas Back Flight No. 3 of the Royal Order of the Ducks.

Initiated in Arabia Shrine Temple, March 24, 1979. He has served as Ambassador to Southeast Shrine Club in 1988 and as Assistant Stage Director 1989 and 1990. He is a member of the Southeast Shrine Club, the Past Masters Association and was a Charter Member of the Pipes and Drums Association.

He received the Royal Order of Scotland on September 10, 1983, and is a Life Member.

He was a Charter member of the E.B. Nichols Council No. 269, Allied Masonic Degrees. He served as the Charter Sovereign Master of Sam Houston Council No. 275, Allied Masonic Degrees, in 1992 and served as Secretary from 1993 to the present. He received the Red Branch of Eri, Ye Ancient Order of Corks, the Masonic Order of the Bath, the Order of the Grand College of Rites.

He was a Charter member of Nat Pace Council No. 46, Knight Masons in Baytown, Texas. He was the Charter Senior Warden of Anson Jones Council No. 47, K.M. in Houston where he served as Excellent Chief in 1994. He served as Scribe from 1995 to the present.

Companion Elkinton was initiated in South Houston Chapter No. 915, Order of Eastern Star July 2, 1981. He affliated with Pearland Chapter No. 1065 as a Dual Member where he served as Worthy Patron in 1992-93, 1993-94, and 1999-2000. He served South Houston Court No. 2, Order of the Amaranth where he served as the Charter Royal Patron in 1993-94. He served the Supreme Council several years as a Deputy Supreme Royal Patron.

He was a charter member of the Cross of Texas Shrine No. 1, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem where he served as the Charter Associate Watchman of the Shepherds in 1196-97. He served the Supreme Shrine as the United States Flag Bearer in 1998-99 and served as Supreme Instructor in 1999-2000.

YORK RITE

Chapter

Exalted in Park Place Chapter No. 458, R.A.M., September 23, 1978. He was appointed Royal Arch Captain in 1979 and served as High Priest, 1984-1985. He served as Treasurer for 11 years and is currently serving as Secretary.

He received the Order of the High Priesthood in 1984. He served the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas on the Credentials Committee for many years and was Chairman in 1994. He served as Grand Royal Arch Captain in 1990 and as District Deputy Grand High Priest in 1995. He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of Florida near the Grand Chapter of Texas.

Council

Greeted in Park Place Council No. 373, R.&S.M., September 23, 1978. He was appointed Steward in 1979 and served as Thrice Illustrious Master, 1984-85. He served as Treasurer for 11 years and is currently serving as Recorder.

He received the Super Excellent Master Degree, September 30, 1978. He served as President of the Super Excellent Masters Association of the Fifth Cryptic Districts of Texas.

Companion Elkinton received the Order of the Silver Trowl in 1984. He was appointed as Illustrious Grand Steward of the Order of the Silver Trowl of Texas in 1986 and served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1990.

He served the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas on the Credentials Committee for many years and was Chairman in 1994. He served as District Deputy Grand Master of District 5B in 1987. He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Council of the State of Washington near the Grand Council of Texas.

He was elected as Right Illustrious Grand Principal Conductor of the Work in December 1996 and Installed as Most Illustrious Grand Master in December 1998.

Commandery

Knighted in Park Place Commandery No. 106, K.T., October 14, 1978. He served through the line becoming Eminent Commander in December 1986. He served as Treasurer of 10 years. He is a dual member of Ruthven Commandery No. 2.

He has been a member of Park Place Commandery Drill Team since 1979. He served as Vice-President in 1983-84 and as President in 1984-85. He has served as the Right Guide since 1983.

Companion Elkinton has served the Grand Commandery of Texas as a member of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation Committee for District 3 in 1991-92. He has served on the Committee on Templar Instruction since 1990 and has been Chairman since April 1995.

York Rite College

He received the Knight of the York in Texas College No. 14. He became a Charter Member of Gulf Coast York Rite College No. 106 in Houston and served as the Charter Marshal in 1985-86. He served as Governor in 1989-90 and received the Order of the Purple Cross in 1996.

Knights of York Cross of Honour

He was Knighted in Texas Priory No. 23. He became a Charter member of Thomas H. Ridout, Jr. Priory No. 75 and served as Registrar in 1991 and 1992. He was elected Herald in 1993 and served as Prior in 1998. He is again serving as Registrar.