Vernon Isaiah Bartlett

Vernon I. Bartlett was born at Ben Franklin, Texas on June 5, 1912, the son of George W. and Daisy Bartlett. He moved with his parents to the plains of West Texas in a covered wagon at the age of 11. He was married to Marietta King of Campbell, Texas on March 30, 1934 at Lubbock, Texas. They are the parents of two sons: Jimmie G. Bartlett of Channelview and Guy V. Bartlett of Petersburg and two daughters: June Harris of Midland and Rita Triveno of Ponder. They have twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

The Bartletts are long time members of Abernathy First Baptist Church where he is serving as President of his Sunday School Class.

MASONIC HISTORY

Raised a Master Mason in Abernathy Lodge No. 1142 on October 26, 1939 and served as Worshipful Master in 1942-43 and as Secretary from 1979 to 1984. He served the Grand Lodge of Texas as District Deputy Grand Master of the 96th Masonic District in 1948. He has held a Certificate of Proficiency in the Esoteric Work of the Grand Lodge of Texas for the past 49 years. Received 50-Year Award in 1989.

Exalted a Royal Arch Mason in (Lubbock) now Hugh J. McClellan Chapter No. 248 on January 30, 1942. He served as High Priest in 1956-57 and has served as Secretary since 1983. He served the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas as District Deputy Grand High Priest of the 38th Capitular District in 1958. He also served the Grand Chapter as a member of the Committee on Work for a total of six years and has held a Certificate of Proficiency in the Esoteric Work of the Grand Chapter of Texas since 1954. He is also Grand Representative of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland near the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas.

Greeted a Royal and Select Master in (Lubbock) now Hugh J. McClellan Council No. 183 on February 27, 1942. He served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1954-55 and has served as Recorder since 1983. He served the Grand Council of Texas as Right Illustrious District Deputy Grand Master of the 38th Cryptic District in 1975 and has also served six years as a member of the Committee on Work of the Grand Council. Has held a Certificate of Proficiency in the Esoteric Work of the Grand Council of Texas since 1955 and was elected as the Right Illustrious Principal Conductor of the Work in 1986 and M:I: Grand Master in 1988. Was appointed Grand Representative of the Grand Council of Delaware near the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas in 1988.

Companion Bartlett was Knighted in Lubbock Commandery No. 60 on March 1, 1943 and served as Commander in 1980; he has also served as Recorder since 1984. He is a Life Sponsor of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation and was awarded the Knights Templar Cross of Honor in 1987.

He Received the Scottish Rite Degrees in the Valley of Dallas in 1943 and in 1972 he became a Charter Member of the Lubbock Bodies and is now a Life Member. He was invested with the Rank and Decoration of a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in 1979.

He has received the Super Excellent Masters Degree, is a Life Member of the Order of the Silver Trowel and the Order of High Priesthood. He is a member and Past Governor of West Texas York Rite College No. 36 and was awarded the Purple Cross by the York Rite Sovereign College of North America in 1986. Companion Bartlett is a Life Member of the Knights York Cross of Honour and is a Past Preceptor of the Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests. He is also a member and Past Sovereign of Llano Estacado Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine and the Royal Order of Scotland.

Companion and Mrs. Bartlett received the Degree of the Order of the Eastern Star in Lubbock Chapter No. 76, O.E.S. in 1942. They are Charter Members of Abernathy Chapter No. 877 where they served as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron in 1946-47.

Obituary

I.O.O.F. Cemetery Abernathy, TX