Lon Wright

Was born in Rosevine, Sabine County, Texas on October 5, 1895, and has spent his entire life in the piney woods of East Texas. In fact, so devoted is he to his native area, he is known to many of his friends as “Mr. East Texas.”

On January 17, 1915, he was married to Miss Alice Mitchell, his childhood sweetheart, and this happy union was blessed with two children – a daughter, Mrs B.A. Reed, and a son, Mitchell Wright. They have three grandchildren.

Companion Wright is a member, and leading lay member, of the First Methodist Church of Beaumont, and serves on the official board.

His entire business life was spent in the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad, he having entered their employ at the age of 17 and remaining with them for 49 years, the last 16 of which were spent in Beaumont, they having transferred him to that city in 1946. In 1962 he took voluntary retirement.

His Masonic career has been long and honorable. Raised a Master Mason in Pineland Lodge No. 1166 on March 17, 1934, he served as Worshipful Master of that Lodge in 1937, and again in 1943 and 1944. He was District Deputy Grand Master of the 19th District in 1939, just five years after being raised. In 1948 he affiliated with Beaumont Lodge No. 286 and has been active in that Lodge since his affiliation. Long proficient in the esoteric work, he was granted a Life Time Certificate in 1961.

His career in Capitular Masonry began in Rising Star Chapter No. 9, in San Augustine, in which Chapter he was Exalted a Royal Arch Mason on August 28, 1941. On May 9, 1949, he affiliated with Beaumont Chapter No. 188 and served with distinction through the chairs, having served as M:E: High Priest in 1956-57. He was District Deputy Grand High Priest of the 4th Capitular District in 1960, and has held a Certificate from the Committee on Work for the past 12 years.

Companion Wright was Greeted a Select Master in Cannon Council No. 17, in San Augustine on January 20, 1942, and was Thrice Illustrious Master of that Council in 1944-45. He enjoys the distinction of having served as T.I.M. of two different Councils for, on June 20, 1949, he affiliated with Beaumont Council no. 126, and served that Council as T.I.M. in 1957-58. He received the Super Excellent Masters Degree in 1956, and holds membership in both the Order of High Priesthood and the Order of the Silver Trowel.

He was dubbed and Created a Knight Templar in Frank Sexton Commandery No. 46, in San Augustine in 1944, and affiliated with Beaumont Commandery No. 38 in 1955. He is a line Officer in Beaumont Commandery, presently holding the Office of Generalissimo.

He is a member of Texas Consistory, Valley of Galveston, and of El Mina Shrine also of Galveston.

He was elected R:I: Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Council in 1962, was elected and installed Most Illustrious Grand Master on December 3, 1963, and presided at the Annual Assembly in 1964.

Obituary

Forest Lawn Memorial Park Beaumont, TX