Earl Frank Smith

Companion E. Frank Smith was born at Ferris, Texas, on October 27, 1910, the son of Louis M. Smith and Maude Pearl Smith. He was educated in the Ferris Public Schools, graduating in the Class of 1929, and then attended Texas A.&M. College.

ON November 22, 1930, he was married to Catherine Wilcher of Ferris, Texas. They are the parents of two sons: Donald Wilcher Smith, born March 1, 1932, and Charles Malloy Smith, born August 13, 1934. Due to a heart attack, Donald passed away at his home on February 3, 1979. His widow, Jackie lives in Grapevine. Their children are: Donald Coit of Bryan, Catherine Donese Ringgold of Houston, and Troy, Gary and Keith of Grapevine. Charles and his children, Mark, Kelly, Jenny Sue and Becky Leigh, live in Channelview. Frank and Catherine have six great-grandchildren.

The Smiths are members of Old River Terrace United Methodist Church in Channelview; and he served on the Board of Stewards for a number of years. He is an active member of civic organizations, the Lions Club, Rotary Club and Optimist Club.

Masonic History

Raised a Master Mason in C.A. Fortner Lodge No. 1304, A.F. & A.M. on November 22, 1952, and served as Worshipful Master in 1958-59. He is a Charter Member of Huffman Lodge No. 1428, A.F. & A.M., Huffman, Texas. Associate member of the Texas Lodge of Research. Served as District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District No. 30-A in 1971. He holds a Life Certificate of proficiency in the Esoteric Work of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas.

Exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Goose Creek Chapter No. 408, Baytown, on January 22, 1954; demitted and became a Charter Member of Lloyd L. Gibson Chapter No. 481 on December 3, 1957; served as High Priest in 1959-60. He is a Charter and Dual Member of Donald W. Smith Chapter No. 493, Euless, Texas. Served as District Deputy Grand High Priest in 1969. Is the Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of Western Australia near the Grand Chapter of Texas. He was elected Grand Scribe in 1976, passed through the Chairs and was elected and installed as Most Excellent Grand High Priest on December 11, 1979, and served during the year 1980.

Greeted in Goose Creek Council No. 339, R&SM, on January 22, 1954. Demitted and became a Charter Member of Lloyd L. Gibson Council No. 394 on December 3, 1957 and served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1960-61. He is a Charter and Dual Member of Donald W. Smith Council No. 410 at Euless, Texas and has received the Honorary Degree Super Excellent Master. Served as District Deputy Grand Master of the Fifth Cryptic District in 1966. He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Council of New Hampshire near the Grand Council of Texas. He was elected Grand Principal Conductor of the Work in 1981, passed through the Chairs and was Elected Installed as Most Illustrious Grand Master on December 6, 1983.

Knighted in Kenedy Commandery No. 61, Baytown, Texas on February 28, 1957 and served as Commander in 1968-69. A Life sponsor of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Commandery of Iowa near the Grand Commandery of Texas.

He is a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Houston. He is a Past Wise Master of Houston Chapter of Rose of Croix and serving as Master of Kadosh, Houston Consistory. He is a member of the Inspector General’s Advisory Conference and a member of the Scottish Rite Benevolent Association Board of Trustees. He is the Degree Master in the Eighth Degree and a member of the Eleventh and Sixteenth Degree Teams. Served as General Membership Chairman in 1974, 1976 and 1979. Invested Knight Commander Court of Honour in 1973; Coroneted Inspector General Honorary 33 in 1977.

Member of Arabia Shrine in Houston, and a member of the Past Masters Association; Member of Chinar Grotto M-O-V-P-E-R, Houston; A Life Member of the Order of High Priesthood; Order of the Silver Trowel; Texas York Rite College No. 14; V:E: Preceptor, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, Resurrection Tabernacle No. 21. He is a member of the Royal Order of Scotland; Life Member of the Knights of the York Cross of Honour. Past President of the Gulf Coast York Rite Association; Member of the York Rite Esoteric Association, and is a Member of the Royal Order of the Duck. He is also a member of St. Austin Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, Austin, Texas.

Companion Smith served as Worthy Patron of Channelview Chapter No. 954, Order of the Eastern Star in 1955-56 and in 1968-69. Mrs. Smith is a Past Matron of Channelview Chapter No. 954, serving in 1961-62. She has been an officer of Channelview Chapter for 29 years, 19 years as Organist. She is also a member of Baytown Assembly No. 153, Social Order of the Beauceant. The Smiths’ have been very active in the affairs of the Order of Rainbow for Girls for the past twenty years, and both are members of the Grand Cross of Color. Companion Smith has been an ardent worker in DeMolay and was invested with the DeMolay Honorary Legion of Honor in 1978.

Obituary

E. Frank Smith, an Arlington resident, passed away at the age of 100 January 29, 2011 at the Texas Masonic Retirement Center in Arlington, Texas.

Services will be held on Wednesday, February 2, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of the Texas Masonic Retirement Center in Arlington. Burial will be in Ferris Cemetery, Ferris, Texas. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Texas Masonic Retirement Center Chapel.

Mr. Smith was a member of Ferris Methodist Church. He was a High School graduate and also graduated from Texas A&M. He was a Past Master of C. A. Fortner Masonic Lodge No. 1304 in Channelview, Texas, a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Past Presiding Officer of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas and Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas, and a Past Patron of Channelview Chapter No. 954, Order of the Eastern Star.

Mr. Smith is preceded in death by his first wife, Catherine, and a son, Donald Smith. He is survived by his wife, Mary Smith, one son, two daughters-in-law, nine grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. Six of his grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Texas Masonic Retirement Center, 1501 W. Division, Arlington, Texas 76012.

A Masonic service will be conducted in the Chapel of the Texas Masonic Retirement Center.