Thomas N. Turner

Was born in Memphis, Tennessee on February 23, 1950, to Ralph and Sally Turner.

Attended public schools in Mansfield, Louisiana graduating in 1968. After attending Louisiana Tech University, Southeastern Louisiana University, and Louisiana College, went to work for the Dow Chemical Company in Freeport, Texas as an operator in Magnesium Production in July, 1972. Having worked ten years in operations and fifteen years as a computer programmer and system manager, retired from Dow in July, 1997 and worked as a full-time substitute teacher at the Alternative Placement Center for the Brazosport Independent School District and the Brazoswood High School 9th Grade campus.

Married Deborah Ann Crowe on June 27, 1970. They have three children and four grandchildren.

Is an active member of the First Baptist Church in Kingsland, Texas and is serving currently as a deacon and as an adult Sunday School teacher.

Was raised a Master Mason in Lake Jackson Lodge No. 1317 on January 26, 1976, served as Worshipful Master in 1981-82, as Treasurer from 1985-2001, and as Secretary from 2001-2005, receiving the Golden Trowel Award in 1995. Affiliated as a plural and charter member of J. W. Chandler Daylight Lodge No. 1452 in Houston, Texas. Affiliated in 1998 as a plural member of St. John’s Lodge No. 5 in West Columbia, Texas, serving as Worshipful Master in 2000-2001. Affiliated with Blazing Star Lodge 413 in Marble Falls, Texas, in 2007 and has served as Secretary from 2007-2009 and from 2010 to present, and as Worshipful Master in 2000-2010. Holds a Life-time proficiency certificate. Was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District 31-C by Grand Master Fred E. Allen in 1991, served as District Education Officer in that district from 1992-1996, and District Instructor of Masonic District 49 from 2008 to present.

Was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Freeport Chapter No. 487 on November 29, 1979, served as High Priest in 1987-88 and as Secretary from 1988-2005. Affiliated as a plural member of Columbia Chapter No. 34 in 1989 served as High Priest in 1991-92 and 2005-2006, and as Treasurer from 1998 to 2005. Affiliated as a plural member with Burnet Chapter No. 453 in December, 2005 and has served as Secretary since. Was appointed District Deputy Grand High Priest of Capitular District No. 6 by Grand High Priest Farris L. Benham in 1989, of Capitular District No. 10 by Grand High Priest Paul D. Warren in 2000, and of Capitular District No. 21 by Grand High Priest James Roy Elliott. Served on the Grand Chapter By-laws Committee from 1991-95, serving a Chairman in 1995. Was appointed as a Grand Representative to Italy in 1995. Received the Order of High Priesthood in 1987.

Was greeted a Select Master in Freeport Council No. 402 on January 3, 1980, served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1987-88 and as Recorder from 1988-2005. Affiliated as a plural member of Columbia Council No. 29 in 1989, served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1991-92 and as Treasurer from 1998-2005 receiving his Cryptic Triangle Award in 2009. Was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of Cryptic District No. 6 by Grand Master Wilbur E. Johnson in 1990. Served on the Grand Council By-laws Committee from 1996-2000, serving as Chairman from 1997-2000. Received the Order of the Silver Trowel in 1987 and served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1995.

Was dubbed a Knight Templar in Litt S. Perry Commandery No. 111 on January 31, 1980, served as Commander in 1990, and received the Excalibur Award in 2008. Affiliated as a plural member of Park Place Commandery No. 106 in 1991, serving as drill captain from 1992-2006. Affiliated as a plural member with Burnet Commandery No. 113, serving as Commander in 2010. Affiliated with Brownwood Commandery No. 22 in Boerne, Texas, in 2010. Served as the District No. 3 representative on the Public Relations and Special Projects Committee of the Grand Commandery from 1991-1993 before being elected Grand Sentinel of the Grand Commandery in 1993, and serving as Grand Commander in 2001-2002. Was appointed Grand Representative to Kentucky in 1994. Has served on Reports of Grand Officers Committee Chairman since 2011. Received the Order of Knights Preceptor in the inaugural class of Texas in 1997.

Was inducted into Resurrection Tabernacle No. XXI, Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests in 1995 serving as Knight Commander in 2008. Was inducted in Dr. George M. Patrick Chapter No. 44 of St. Thomas of Acon in 2008.

Was knighted in the first class of Thomas H. Ridout Priory No. 75, Knights of the York Cross of Honor in 1991, serving as Prior in 2003-2004. Affiliated as a plural member with Texas Priory No. 23 in 2012.

Became a member of Gulf Coast York Rite College No. 106 in 1985, and served as Governor in 1995-96. Received the Order of the Purple Cross in 1997.

Became a charter member of Anson Jones Council No. 47, Knight Masons, in 1992, serving as Excellent Chief in 2000-2001. Was initiated into John Musick Council No. 284, Allied Masonic Degrees in 1992, transferred his membership in 1995, to charter Masonic Oak Council No. 323 as the charter Sovereign Master, and served as Secretary/Treasurer from1995-2005.

Was made a 32nd degree mason in the Houston Scottish Rite on March 20, 1976, and transferred his membership to the Valley of Galveston, serving as Venerable Preceptor of San Felipe Lodge of Perfection in 2004. Received his 32º KCCH in 2003. Is a charter member of the Southern Brazoria County Scottish Rite Club, serving as President in 2001.

Was initiated into Lake Jackson Chapter No. 1009, Order of the Eastern Star, on October 8, 1978, and has served as Worthy Patron four times. Affiliated with Marble Falls Chapter 435, serving as Worthy Patron in 2011-2012.

Served a number of years on the advisory board of Lake Jackson Assembly No. 284, International Order of Rainbow for Girls, and received the Grand Cross of Color in June, 1990. Served a number of years on the advisory board of Brazosport Chapter of the Order of DeMolay and received his Legion of Honor honorary in 2002.

Is a former member of the Royal Order of Scotland, El Mina Shrine in Galveston, Houston Court No. 2, Order of the Amaranth, and Cross of Texas Shrine No. 1, White Shrine of Jerusalem.