Mark Damian Myer

Mark Damian Myer was born to John W. and Martha Myer on January 28, 1952 in Austin, Texas. A year and a half later the family moved to Groves, Texas where Mark was raised until he graduated from Port Neches-Groves High School in May, 1970. During his senior year, he was inducted into the National Honor Society. He attended Lamar University in Beaumont for one year from 1970-71, studying Engineering. He took employment at Gulfport Shipbuilding Company in Port Arthur, Texas in August of 1971 to earn money to continue his education. He remained in the employ of Gulfport Shipbuilding Company until April, 1977, serving as a welder and later transferring into the Accounting Department as a Timekeeper. On April 4, 1977 he went to work for Gulf Oil Corporation in Port Arthur, Texas as a tank field Operator, filling various positions in Operations until he was promoted to Shift Supervisor in June, 1985. In July, 1986 Gulf Oil Corporation became a part of the Chevron Oil Corporation. Mark was transferred to the Chemicals Division of the Port Arthur Plant in December, 1994. Chevron Chemical Company and Phillips Petroleum Company successfully entered into a joint venture in July, 2000 and form a new independent company called Chevron Phillips Chemical Company. Mark is currently employed as a Shift Supervisor in the Aromatics Division of the new Company. He also serves as a member of the Command Staff for the Emergency Response Team, is a certified Emergency Medical Technician on the Medical Response Team and is a qualified Instructor for the Industrial Rescue Team.

On November 10, 1972 he married Patricia Porter, daughter of Melvin and Pauline Porter, also from Groves, Texas. They were blessed with two daughters and a son; Shelly, born September 22, 1974, Stephanie, born January 19, 1977, and Gregory, born July 7, 1982. All three children graduated from Port Neches-Groves High School. Both daughters are married with children, while Gregory is attending his first year at Lamar State College in Port Arthur working toward a degree in Computer Information Systems.

Mark petitioned Port Neches Lodge No. 1163 at Port Neches, Texas while still employed at Gulfport Shipbuilding Company and was initiated an Entered Apprentice on February 14, 1975, passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft on March 18, 1975, and was raised a Master Mason on April 26, 1975. He received his first Certificate of Esoteric Proficiency in December, 1981. He also became an associate member of the Texas Lodge of Research in 1981. He served as Worshipful Master of Port Neches Lodge No. 1163 from July, 1985 to July, 1986. During that same period he was also serving as Secretary of the Masters, Wardens and Secretaries Association of Masonic District 26. In 1986 he took a dual affiliation with Cosmopolitan Lodge No. 872 and is an endowed member of both Lodges. He was appointed District Instructor of Masonic District 26B, serving in that capacity in 1991 and 1992. He served as District Education Officer for District 26B in 1993 and 1994. He was appointed to serve as District Deputy Grand Master of District 26B for Grand Master Bob O. Schnell in 1994. In 1995 he was appointed to a 7 year term on the Committee on Masonic Education and Service by Grand Master Robert P. Walker and has had an active part in the Wardens Retreat Program during his term.

On April 14, 21 & 28, 1981, Mark received the Scottish Rite Degrees, from the 4th through the 32nd Degree, in the Mother Consistory of Texas in the Valley of Galveston. He was invested with the Rank and Decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor on December 18, 1985. On November 2, 1995 he was coronetted a 33rd Degree Inspector General Honorary. He has participated in thirteen different Degree teams and served as Degree Master of the 6th and 18th Degrees and the Maundy Thursday Ceremony. He has served as a member of the Stage Crew, the Sound Crew and is currently serving as Reunion Director. He was President of the Mid-South Jefferson Scottish Rite Association in 1989. He holds an endowed membership in the Galveston Scottish Rite Bodies, and in 1994 he became a dual member of the Houston Scottish Rite Bodies. In Galveston, he served as Wise Master of the Chapter of Rose Croix in 1991, Master of Kadosh of the Consistory in 1992, Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection in 1994 and Preceptor of the Council of Knights Kadosh in 1995. Mark`s introduction into the York Rite began on January 23, 1981, when he received the Degree of Mark Master in Port Neches Chapter No. 436, R. A. M. He received the Past Master`s Degree and Most Excellent Master`s Degree on February 4,1981, and was exalted a Royal Arch Mason on February 11, 1981. He served as High Priest of Port Neches Chapter No. 436, R. A. M. from 1983 to 1984. After completing his year as High Priest, he served the Chapter as Secretary for 2 years, from 1984 to 1986, and served as Treasurer from 1986 to 1992. He received the Order of High Priesthood in December, 1983. He was appointed by Grand High Priest James W. Carter to serve the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas as Grand Master of the 1st Veil in 1984 – 1985. Grand High Priest Clifford W. Aleshire appointed him as District Deputy Grand High Priest of Capitular District 4 from 1985 – 1986. In December, 1990 he was elected to serve a 5 year term on the Committee on Work of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas and the Grand Council of Royal & Select Masters of Texas and served as Chairman of that Committee in 1995. In 1995 he also served as Grand Chaplain of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas under Grand High Priest William E. (Bill) Schroeter. He was appointed to a 5 year term on the Purposes and Policies Committee of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas in 1999 by Grand High Priest B. C. Courtney and is serving in 2001 as Chairman of that Committee.

Mark received the Degrees of Royal Master and Select Master in Port Arthur Council No. 185, R. & S. M. on February 25, 1981. He received the Degree of Super Excellent Master on October 2, 1982 in Galveston. In 1989 he was instrumental in establishing a new Council of Royal & Select Masters in Port Neches, Texas, and the Council received its Charter on December 4th of that year. Companion Myer served as the Charter Thrice Illustrious Master of Port Neches Council No. 413, R. & S. M. from 1989 – 1990. He was appointed by Grand Master B. C. Courtney to serve as District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal & Select Masters of Texas in 1992 – 1993. He received the Order of the Silver Trowel on December 4, 1990, was appointed as Steward of the Order in 1992, and served as Thrice Illustrious Master of the Order of the Silver Trowel in 1995. For several years he also worked in the Super Excellent Master`s Degree, both in Galveston and Houston. In December, 1998 he was elected as Grand Principal Conductor of the Work of the Grand Council of Royal & Select Masters of Texas and is serving in 2001 as Grand Master.

Port Arthur Commandery No. 73, Knights Templar of Texas conferred the Orders of the Red Cross and Malta upon Companion Myer on April 6, 1981. He received the Order of the Temple on April 20, 1981. He served as Commander of Port Arthur Commandery No. 73, K. T. in 1990 and then as Recorder in 1991 and 1992. He took dual affiliation with, and served as Charter Prelate for Silsbee Commandery No. 112, K. T. in 1997.

Mark Myer was nominated to membership in the York Rite College and became a Charter member of Southeast Texas York Rite College No. 90 in Port Arthur, Texas on October 29, 1983, being installed as the Charter Preceptor. In 1984 he was privileged to be the Preceptor and deliver the Rose Lecture for the Degree team from Southeast Texas York Rite College No. 90 when they conferred the Order of York and instituted the first York Rite College in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1985 he was honored to provide the same service for the same Degree Team at the conferral of the Order and institution of Gulf Coast York Rite College No. 106 in Houston, Texas. He served as Governor of Southeast Texas York Rite College No. 90 from 1989 – 1990. He was nominated to receive the Order of the Purple Cross and was a member of the class who received the Order in Anaheim, California on August 3, 1991.

Mark was received into San Felipe Conclave of the Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine on February 21,1987 and is serving as Eminent Viceroy in 2001.

Mark was Knighted in Thomas H. Rideout Priory No. 75, Knights of the York Cross of Honor on April 21, 1991.

Mark was ordained in Resurrection Tabernacle No. XXI Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests on December 21, 1996.

In 1992 Mark became a Charter member of E. B. Nichols Council No. 269 of the Allied Masonic Degrees in Houston. His membership was transferred to John W. Gates Council No. 321 in Groves, Texas and he became a Charter member when that Council was instituted on May 31, 1995. On October 30, 1996 he was installed as Sovereign Master of John W. Gates Council No. 321 and received the Order of the Red Branch of Eri that same day. He completed his term as Sovereign Master in 1997.

On April 4, 1993, Mark was initiated as a member of Nat Pace Council No. 46, Knight Masons of the U. S. A. in Baytown. His membership was transferred to Dick Dowling Council No. 50, K. M. of the U. S. A. in Groves, Texas and he became a Charter member when that Council was instituted on February 24, 1995. He served as Excellent Chief of that Council in 1995 – 1996.

Mark joined Port Neches Chapter No. 677, Order of the Eastern Star in 1985.

Mark became a member of El Mina Shrine Temple in Galveston, Texas in 1984. He is a member of the Past Master`s Unit and the Ritualistic Team.