Thomas William Snyder

On June 16, 1948, in a Dudley M. Hughes ambulance on the way to what is now known as Baylor Hospital, Thomas William Snyder was born near the corner of Lamar and Main Streets in downtown Dallas, Texas. Tom is the son of Lois and Bill Snyder, and is the middle of three children. He was educated in the Dallas Independent School District and graduated from Sunset High School in 1966, where he lettered twice in baseball and was voted MVP in the City his senior year. After Graduation he attended Christian College of the Southwest on an athletic scholarship, then Texas Technical University and Pan American College. In February of 1969 he enlisted in the U. S. Navy and was trained an Interior Communications Electrician. After serving nearly four years, three of which were at various duty stations in the western Pacific, he separated from activity duty as a Petty Officer Second Class. In December 1972 he returned to Dallas and found work as a truck driver.

In the fall of 1975, he enrolled at the University of Texas at Arlington and began his studies in the field of engineering. While on Spring Break in 1977, he met his wife Linda Sorrells and his soon to be stepdaughter Jame Ann. Tom and Linda were married November 23, 1979. While enrolled at UTA, he became a member of Tau Beta Pi and Chi Epsilon national honor fraternities and graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. Immediately following graduation, he went to work for Dallas Water utilities. He gained experience in utility design and construction and became a Registered Professional Engineer in 1985. He progressed to the position of Manger of Pipeline Design Division, where he was responsible for the activities of forty-five engineers and technicians. He ended his fourteen-year career with Dallas Water Utilities as manager of the one hundred fifty million gallon per day Central Waste-water Treatment Plant, which employed one hundred twenty people. In 1993 he accepted the challenge of becoming the first Chief Engineer for the recently established Trinity Regional Water District, and is currently responsible for the engineering design, construction, and operation of regional water and wastewater systems to serve Denton County area.

MASONIC HISTORY

He was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on July 14, 1983, in Hutchins Lodge No. 1154, A.F. & A.M., and served as Master in 1987-1988. Became a plural member of Nash Lodge No. 638, and served as Master in 1992-1993. Served the Grand Lodge of Texas as District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District No. 14-H in 1994.

Exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Midlothian Chapter No. 211, R.A.M. on January 18, 1986. Became a plural member of Love Field Chapter No. 478, and served as High Priest in 1989-1990. Received the Order of High Priesthood in 1989. He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Chapter of Iowa near Texas. Served the Grand Chapter of Texas as District Deputy Grand High Priest of Capitular District 51-A in 1991, and Grand Principal Sojourner in 1992. Greeted a Select Master in Midlothian Council No. 148, R. & S.M. on February 1, 1986. Became a plural member of Love Field Council No. 396, and served as thrice Illustrious Master in 1990-1991. Received the Degree of Super Excellent Master in 1988, and the Order of Silver Trowel in 1994. He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Council of Wyoming near Texas. Served the Grand Council of Texas as District Deputy Grand Master of District 51-B in 1993, and Grand Conductor of the Council in 1992.

Knighted in Alexander C. Garrett Commandery No. 103, K.T. on March 28, 1986. Served as Commander in 1992, and has served as Prelate since mid-year 1993.

He became a member of the Dallas Scottish Rite Bodies in 1984, and served on the 4th and 30th Degree Teams. He has been a Noble of Hella Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. since 1984.

Other memberships, orders and honors are: Member of Texas Priory No. 23, Knights of the York Cross of Honour, Member of St. Austin Conclave Red Cross of Constantine. Past Governor and Charter member of Lyle L. Cross York Rite College. Recipient of the Order of the Purple Cross and Associate member of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America. Charter member of Alla Grotto, M.O.V.P.E.R. Charter member of Robert Bruce Brannon Council, Allied Masonic Degrees, currently serving as Deputy Master. Charter member of Rose of Sharon Council, Knight Masons, currently serving as Senior Warden. Member of Royal Order of Scotland. Member of Texas Chapter of Knights Preceptor. Past Patron Cockrell Hill Chapter No. 971 and Nash Chapter No. 320 Order of the Eastern Star. Has served on various special and constitutional committees for several Worthy Grand Matrons and currently as Chaplain. Received the Grand Cross of Color from the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.

Companion Snyder was elected Right Illustrious Grand Principal Conductor of the Work in December 1994, progressed through the chairs and was installed as Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas on December 10, 1996.

In the fall of 1975, he enrolled at the University of Texas at Arlington and began his studies in the field of engineering. While on Spring Break in 1977, he met his wife Linda Sorrells and his soon to be stepdaughter Jame Ann. Tom and Linda were married November 23, 1979. While enrolled at UTA, he became a member of Tau Beta Pi and Chi Epsilon national honor fraternities and graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. Immediately following graduation, he went to work for Dallas Water utilities. He gained experience in utility design and construction and became a Registered Professional Engineer in 1985. He progressed to the position of Manger of Pipeline Design Division, where he was responsible for the activities of forty-five engineers and technicians. He ended his fourteen-year career with Dallas Water Utilities as manager of the one hundred fifty million gallon per day Central Waste-water Treatment Plant, which employed one hundred twenty people. In 1993 he accepted the challenge of becoming the first Chief Engineer for the recently established Trinity Regional Water District, and is currently responsible for the engineering design, construction, and operation of regional water and wastewater systems to serve Denton County area.

MASONIC HISTORY

He was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on July 14, 1983, in Hutchins Lodge No. 1154, A.F. & A.M., and served as Master in 1987-1988. Became a plural member of Nash Lodge No. 638, and served as Master in 1992-1993. Served the Grand Lodge of Texas as District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District No. 14-H in 1994.

Exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Midlothian Chapter No. 211, R.A.M. on January 18, 1986. Became a plural member of Love Field Chapter No. 478, and served as High Priest in 1989-1990. Received the Order of High Priesthood in 1989. He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Chapter of Iowa near Texas. Served the Grand Chapter of Texas as District Deputy Grand High Priest of Capitular District 51-A in 1991, and Grand Principal Sojourner in 1992. Greeted a Select Master in Midlothian Council No. 148, R. & S.M. on February 1, 1986. Became a plural member of Love Field Council No. 396, and served as thrice Illustrious Master in 1990-1991. Received the Degree of Super Excellent Master in 1988, and the Order of Silver Trowel in 1994. He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Council of Wyoming near Texas. Served the Grand Council of Texas as District Deputy Grand Master of District 51-B in 1993, and Grand Conductor of the Council in 1992.

Knighted in Alexander C. Garrett Commandery No. 103, K.T. on March 28, 1986. Served as Commander in 1992, and has served as Prelate since mid-year 1993.

He became a member of the Dallas Scottish Rite Bodies in 1984, and served on the 4th and 30th Degree Teams. He has been a Noble of Hella Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. since 1984.

Other memberships, orders and honors are: Member of Texas Priory No. 23, Knights of the York Cross of Honour, Member of St. Austin Conclave Red Cross of Constantine. Past Governor and Charter member of Lyle L. Cross York Rite College. Recipient of the Order of the Purple Cross and Associate member of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America. Charter member of Alla Grotto, M.O.V.P.E.R. Charter member of Robert Bruce Brannon Council, Allied Masonic Degrees, currently serving as Deputy Master. Charter member of Rose of Sharon Council, Knight Masons, currently serving as Senior Warden. Member of Royal Order of Scotland. Member of Texas Chapter of Knights Preceptor. Past Patron Cockrell Hill Chapter No. 971 and Nash Chapter No. 320 Order of the Eastern Star. Has served on various special and constitutional committees for several Worthy Grand Matrons and currently as Chaplain. Received the Grand Cross of Color from the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.

Companion Snyder was elected Right Illustrious Grand Principal Conductor of the Work in December 1994, progressed through the chairs and was installed as Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas on December 10, 1996.