Thomas Cook Cheatham

Tom was born August 4, 1891, in Burnet County, Texas, the son of the late Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Cook Cheatham. Graduate of Burnet High School and the University of Texas Law School. Married to the former Miss Katie Caroline Lewis of Burnet. They have one son, Wiley L. Cheatham, and two daughters, Mrs. Mary E. Polinard and Mrs. Evelyn Francis Bochow. Commenced law practice in Burnet in 1916. Served in the Texas State Legislature from 1949 to 1955. Served as Chairman and as a member of many important Legislative Committees. He has been a member of the First Christian Church in Austin, Texas for over forty-five years.

Served in the Air Corps in World War I. Attended Ground School at SMA in Austin and the School of Fire at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Raised a Master Mason in Valley Lodge No. 175, A.F. & A.M., Burnet, Texas, on January 11, 1913. Demitted and affiliated with Cuero Lodge No. 409, A.F. & amp; A.M., on July 25, 1919. Served as Worshipful Master in 1924. Served as District Deputy Grand Master of the 34th Masonic District in 1927 and in 1931. Served as a member and several times as Chairman of the Grievances and Appeals Committee No. 2, from December 1950, through 1968.

Exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Burnet Chapter No. 94 in 1913. He later was a member of DeWitt Chapter No. 116 at Cuero, and is now a member of Yoakum Chapter No. 209. He served as High Priest in 1921. He is a member of the Order of High Priesthood. Served as a member of the Grand Chapter Jurisprudence Committee. Grand Representative of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Montana, near the Grand Chapter of Texas. Was elected Grand Scribe in 1961, and after serving in the usual stations, was elected and installed M. E. Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas on December 3, 1963, and presided at the Annual Convocation in December , 1964.

Greeted a Select Master in Burnet Council No. 57 in 1913. Was later a member of DeWitt Council No. 70 at Cuero, and is now a member of Yoakum Council No. 146. Served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1962. Grand Representative of the Grand Council of R.&S.M. of the District of Columbia, near the Grand Council of Texas. Member of the Order of the Silver Trowel of Texas.

In December 1966, he was elected R.I. Grand Principal Conductor of the Work, advanced to the Office of R.I. Deputy Grand Master in 1967, was elected and installed as M. I. Grand Master on December 3, 1968, and presided at the Annual Assembly in December, 1969.

Dubbed and created a Knight Templar in Yoakum Commandery No. 66, K.T., in 1922. Served as Commander in 1969.

32 a Scottish Rite Mason, member of the Austin Bodies.

Member of Royal Order of Scotland.

Member of Alzafar Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., San Antonio.

Member of Cuero Chapter No. 618, O.E.S., Cuero.

Obituary

Funeral in Cuero, TX