Past Grand Master Profile

James A. Scott, Jr.

Home Council:   San Angelo No. 110
Year Served:   1980

James Ammon “Red” Scott, Jr. was born in San Angelo, Texas, June 27, 1928. He was educated in San Angelo Public Schools and attended Angelo State University graduating in 1952 with an Associate in Arts Degree. While at Angelo State University he served as President of the Science Club, President of the Sophomore Class, member of the Student Council and President of the Ex-Students Association. In 1952 he was listed in “Outstanding Students in American Colleges and Universities”.

He served in the United State Air Force, attaining the rank of Sergeant, from 1946 to 1950. Most of his service was at the 15th Air Force Headquarters, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Red is married to the former Evelyn Latzel. They have six children: hers – Mike Peggy, Nancy and Cindy, his- Rene, Jay. Companion Scott has been in the General Insurance business in San Angelo, Texas for nearly 25 years.

He has served as President of the Daybreakers Kiwanis Club (now defunct), and is presently a member of the West Side Rotary Club of San Angelo; and also serves on the Military Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and has served on the Board of Stewards; the Building Committee and was for 8 years a member of the Television, Radio and Film Commission of the Southwest Texas Conference. Also served as a member of the District Mission Board for several years and is a Past President of the Business Men’s Bible Class’ of San Angelo, Texas.

MASONIC HISTORY

He was Raised a Master Mason in Concho Lodge No. 1260, A.F. & A.M., August 16, 1951, and served as Worshipful Master in 1960. He served the M:W: Grand Lodge of Texas as District Deputy Grand Master in 1976, and is now serving on the By-Laws Committee.

Exalted to the Sublime Degree of Royal Arch Mason in San Angelo Chapter No. 170, R.A.M., September 27, 1955, and served as Excellent High Priest of his Chapter in 1964. Served the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas as District Deputy Grand High Priest of the 34th Capitular District in 1966. He received the honor of Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of South Dakota, in 1966. He was Elected Right Excellent Grand King of the Grand Chapter in 1971, passed through the chairs and was elected and installed as Most Excellent Grand High Priest in 1974. He is presently serving as Chairman of the Grand Chapter Jurisprudence Committee.

Greeted a Royal and Select Master in San Angelo Council No. 110, R.&S.M., October 12, 1955, and served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1965. Served as District Deputy Grand Master of the 34th Cryptic District in 1972. He was elected Right Illustrious Grand Principal Conductor of the Work of the Grand Council of Royal & Select Masters of Texas, in 1978, passed through the chairs and was elected and installed Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Most Illustrious Grand Council in 1979, and served during the year 1980. He received the honor of Grand Representative of the Grand Council of Missouri in 1975.

Knighted in San Angelo Commandery No. 28, K.T., San Angelo, Texas in 1956 and served as Commander of his Commandery in 1960. He now serves on the Committee of Grand Officers’ Reports for the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Texas. He is also active in the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. He received the honor of Grand Representative of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Mississippi in 1976.

Red is a member of the Lubbock Scottish Rite Bodies, and is currently Degree Master of the 22nd Degree Team of San Angelo. He was invested and decorated as a Knight Commander Court of Honour by the Supreme Council Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in 1974.

He is a member of the Order of High Priesthood; Order of the Silver Trowel; Super Excellent Masters Degree; member of Llano Estacado Conclave; Red Cross of Constantine, and is presently serving as Prelate; member of Nazareth Tabernacle No. 34, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests; and the Royal Order of Scotland. He is now serving as Deputy Prior, Texas Priory No. 23, Knights of the York Cross of Honour, and holds the Knights York Grand Cross of Honour; and is a member and Past Governor of West Texas York Rite College No. 36.

He became a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in Suez Temple in 1974. He was appointed Ritualistic Potentate in 1977 and served through 1979. He is also a member of Concho Shrine Club.

Obituary

James A. Red Scott SAN ANGELO Red grew up in San Angelo and, except for a time in the Air Force, he lived his entire life in San Angelo. He served in the Air Force, 15th Squadron, in Colorado Springs, where he met Louella Mortenson and married her. They moved back to San Angelo and he worked as a general insurance agent. They had two children. They were married for 18 years. He married Evelyn Letzel in 1973. They were married until her death in 1993. Red was active in First United Methodist Church and Business Men’s Bible Class. He was a lay speaker, served on the board of stewards and was a member of the District Mission Board for the church. Red served as a president of the Business Men’s Bible Class and played the piano for them for years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge 1260 and 570, he was a 33rd degree Mason and served as the Most Excellent Grand High Priest from 1973-1974, for the State of Texas. He was a member of the Scottish Rite, the Grand Commandry of the Knights Templar of Texas, the York Rite and the Concho Suez Shrine. He is survived by one sister, Carolyn Vinson; a daughter, Rene’ Scott Hilliard; a son, James A Scott; two grandchildren, CJ and Westin Hilliard; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was a godly man and had a good heart. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 28, 2014, at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Sam Hunnicutt officiating. Interment will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Family and friends may sign an online register book at johnsons-funeralhome.com. Published in GoSanAngelo from June 26 to June 27, 2014