Leslie Lee Coone

Leslie L. Coone was born at Riesel, Texas, on April 15, 1924, the son of Clyde S. and Mary Coone. He was educated in the public schools in Riesel and Waco, graduating from Waco High School in 1941. He served in the 15th Army Air Force in Italy following several assignments in the United States.

On March 22, 1946, he married Nina Allison of Waco, Texas. They have one daughter, Mrs. David (Linda) Miller, and one son James C. Coone. They have two grandsons, Troy and Chad Whitney, and two granddaughters, Stacy and Kimberly Coone, all of whom reside in Arlington, Texas.

Companion Coone is a retired engineer for the Vaught Corporation in Dallas, and is a member of the United Methodist Church of Arlington.

Masonic History

Raised a Master Mason in Arlington Lodge No. 438, Arlington, Texas, on September 28, 1962; served as Worshipful Master in 1971-1972 and is a Life Member. . Has served the Lodge as a member and Chairman of its Building Committee, In 1975, he was appointed to the Grievances and Appeals Committee No. 3 of the M:W: Grand Lodge of Texas and served as Chairman in 1976 and 1977. Serving as District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District No. 64D in 1995.

Exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Arlington Chapter No. 376, R.A.M., Arlington, Texas, on September 22, 1963, and served as High Priest in 1968-69. He is a Life Member, Past Secretary and Past Treasurer, retiring in 1994. He as District Deputy Grand High Priest of the 17th Capitular District in 1972. Was First Chairman of the Grand Chapter Membership Committee and served as Chariman in 1970 and 1971. Served on the Purposes and Policies Committee and is a member of the Finance Committee. Is a member of the Order of High Priesthood, served as Most Excellent Grand High Priest, Secretary, and is currently the Treasurer. He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of South Carolina near the Grand Chapter of Texas. He served as Grand Scribe in 1980, Deputy Grand High Priest in 1981 and was installed as the Most Excellent Grand High Priest in 1981 and served during the year 1982.

Greeted in Arlington Council No. 314, R&SM, Arlington, Texas on September 29, 1963, and served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1967-1968. He is a Life Member, Past Recorder and Past Treasurer, retiring in 1994. He served as Grand Marshal in 1974, was District Deputy Grand Master of the 17th Cryptic District in 1979. Is Grand Representative of the Grand Council of Arkansas near Texas. Served as Chairman of the Committee on Purposes and Policies and By-Laws Committees. Received the Super Excellent Masters Degree in Dallas. Is a member of the Order of Silver Trowel, served as Thrice Illustrious Master, Registrar, is currently the Treasurer. Was elected as Grand Principal Conductor of the Work in 1992, Deputy Grand master in 1993, and installed as Grand Master in 1994 to serve for the year 1995.

Knighted in Arlington Commandery No. 107, K.T., on March 17, 1969, and served as Commander in 1974. Is a Life Member, Past Treasurer and Recorder, retiring in 1994. Member of the Grand Commandery Library Committee, served as Chairman in 1976 and 1977. He is a Life Sponsor in the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. Is Grand Representative of the Grand Commandery of Arkansas near Texas. Was awarded the Knight Templar Cross of Honor by the Grand Encampment in 1994.

Received the Scottish Rite Degrees in the Dallas Scottish Rite Bodies February 15th through March 9th, 1963, and was invested a Knight Commander Court of Honour in 1973. He was a petitioner for and a Charter Member of the Fort Worth Scottish Rite Bodies in 1973 and is a Life Member. Served as Reunion Director for 20 years, Secretary (director) of the 14th Degrees since Charter, and served as 18th Degree Master. Served as Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection in 1987. He is a member of the Arlington Scottish Rite Club, served on the Membership Committee and as President of the Club. Coroneted a 33 Degree Inspector General Honorary in 1985.

He is a Life Member of Knights York Cross of Honour and is a Knight York Grand Cross of Honour with a Red and Purple Quadrant. A member of Moslah Shrine, is the Charter Governor of Trinity York Rite College No. 154 (1991), former Secretary, current Treasurer, and is an associate Regent (Purple Cross). He is a member of the Royal Order of Scotland.

He has served as a member of the Arlington DeMolay Chapter Advisory Board and received the DeMolay Honorary Legion of Honour in 1982. Served the Tarrant County York Rite Association as Secretary, Assistant Festival Director, and Program Chairman. Is a Past President of the Tarrant County Past and Present Presiding Officers and Certificate Men’s Association. Past Secretary of the Tarrant County Chapter and Council Officers Association. Is a Past President of the Fort Worth Masonic Service Bureau and is the current Treasurer.

He served as Monarch of El Texa Grotto in 1994. He is a Past President of the Purple Tassel Club and is the current President of the Hobo’s Club, both of El Texa Grotto. He is a member of St. Austin Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine. Is a member of the Grand College of Rites. Was the Charter Sovereign Master of Robert Bruce Brannon Council No. 270, Allied Masonic Degrees and is a member Installed Masters Council, Red Branch of Eri, Royal Arch Mariners, No. 1, Ye Ancient Order of the Corks, Order of the Bath and Order of the Secret Monitors.

Obituary

Leslie L. Coone, 86, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011, in Arlington. Service: 1 p.m. Thursday in Arlington Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Arlington Funeral Home. Mr. Coone was born April 15, 1924, to Clyde S. Coone and Mary B. Coone in Riesel. He was a member and past master of Masonic Lodge #438 Arlington, past grand high priest and grand master of Grand Council. He was a 33rd degree Scottish Rite and a recipient of the Golden Trowel. Survivors: Wife, Nina Coone; daughter, Linda Miller and husband, David; son, Jim Coone and wife Gaye; grandchildren, Stacy Harrison, Kimberly Powell and husband, Mike, Troy Whitney, Chad Whitney and wife, Sheila; stepgrandchildren, Amber Armour and husband, Don, and Jeramey Miller and wife, Elise; and nine great-grandchildren.

Source: Published in Star-Telegram on January 19, 2011