Past Grand Master Profile

George Clay Smith

Home Council:   John C. Callahan Council No. 408
Year Served:   2006

G. Clay Smith was born on October 2, 1961, in Duncan, Oklahoma. Following his graduation from Waurika High School in Waurika, Oklahoma, he attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and majored in biochemistry and chemistry, where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree.

Clay moved to Dallas in 1983. He was employed as a sales representative with ADSCO Inc. in Addison. He became Sales Manager and subsequently in 1986, he became Southwest Regional Sales Manager of that firm.

On July 31, 1995, Clay Smith and Teresa Gilmore were married in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In 1993, Clay realized his dream to become a Freemason when Keystone Lodge No. 1143 favorably received his petition. He was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on October 30, 1993, and has purchased an Endowed Membership in the Lodge. Clay served as Worshipful Master of Keystone Lodge No. 1143 in the 1998-1999, Masonic Year. He served the Grand Lodge of Texas as District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District 14-F in 2002, for Grand Master Michael D. Nanny. He is an Endowed Member of Waurika Masonic Lodge No 531 in Waurika, Oklahoma.

Clay became active at the Grand Lodge level in 1996, when Right Worshipful W. M. “Mike” Gower asked him to serve as a member of the planning team for the 1999 Grand Lodge Year. Also, Right Worshipful David Dibrell asked him to serve on the planning team for the year 2001. He is currently serving on the Credentials Committee for the Grand Lodge.

Clay was exalted in the George Washington Chapter No 422, Royal Arch Masons and served as Excellent High Priest in the 1999-2000 year. He is a dual member of Love Field Chapter No. 478. Clay is also an Endowed member in both Chapters.

Clay was greeted in George Washington (now John C. Callahan) Council No. 408, Royal and Select Masters. He served as Thrice Illustrious Master of John C Callahan Council No. 408 in the 1996-1997 year. He is a duel member of Love Field Council No. 396. He is also an Endowed member in both Councils. Clay served as Right Illustrious District Deputy Grand Master of Cryptic District No. 14, of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Master of Texas in 1999. He served the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas as Illustrious Grand Sentinel in 2003, and was elected to the office of Right Illustrious Grand Principal Conductor of the Work of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas in 2004. In 2005, he was elected to Right Illustrious Deputy Grand Master. He is a member of the Order of the Silver Trowel of Texas and is a Past Thrice Illustrious Master of that Order.

Clay was knighted as a Knight Templar in Dallas Commandery No. 6. He became a duel member of Alexander C. Garret Commandery No. 103 and Denton Commandery No. 45. He is now serving as Senior Warden at Denton Commandery. He is a Life Sponsor of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation.

His quest for more Masonic light led him to petition for the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, which he received in the Valley of Dallas in the fall of 1994. He presently serves as degree Master of the 23rd Degree team and is a member of the 27th Degree team. He also serves as a member of the North Dallas Membership Committee of the Scottish Rite of Dallas.

He is Excellent Chief of Rose of Sharon Knights Masons Council No. 49, a Charter Member and Past Sovereign Master of Col. William Barrett Travis Council No. 344, Allied Masonic Degrees and received the Red Branch of Eri in July 2003. Clay is a Past Governor of Lyle L. Cross York Rite College No. 147 and received the “Order of the Purple Cross” on July 31, 2004. He is a member of Crusader Conclave Knights of Red Cross of Constantine.

Other Masonic related activities include Charter Membership in Tranquility Lodge No. 2000, Texas Lodge of Research, The Royal Order of Scotland, The Order of High Priesthood, The Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon, a Charter member of Tejas Chapel No. 47, Masonic Order of the Bath, Hella Shrine, Suez Shrine, Hella’s Gun Club and the 100 Million Dollar Club.

An avid hunter, shooter and aviation enthusiast, Clay holds memberships in Ducks Unlimited, Quail Unlimited, National Rifle Association, National Sporting Clays Association and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.