Our Grand Master of the First Veil was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on 26 February 1986, in May Lodge No. 718, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Illinois, in Norris City. He presided as Worshipful Master of Polk Lodge No. 137 in McLeansboro in the year 2003.

He was advanced to the degree of Mark Master, and exalted to the supreme degree of Holy Royal Arch Mason both on 29 June 1996, in Andrew D. Webb Chapter No. 160 in Mount Vernon, where he served in the East as Excellent High Priest in the years 2001-2002. He joined the Grand Chapter line on 27 July 2007 as Excellent Grand Master of the First Veil.

Excellent Companion Knight was greeted as a Select Master on 29 June 1996 in Salem Council No. 97, Cryptic Masons of Illinois, in Mount Vernon, where presided as Thrice Illustrious Master in the the year 1999. He received the degree of Super Excellent Master on 18 October 1997. He was awarded membership in the Council of Knights of Ish Sodi (“Man of My Choice”) in 2003 by the Most Illustrious Grand Master, and served as President of the Council in 2006-2007.

Earl was dubbed and created a Knight of the Order of the Temple on 29 June 1996 in Mount Vernon Commandery No. 69, Knights Templar of the State of Illinois, in Mount Vernon., where he presided as Eminent Commander in the the years 1999-2000. He served the Grand Commandery as Eminent Grand Warder in 2000-2001, and currently as Grand Webmaster and maintains the state’s combined York Rite calendar.

As a Past Master, Past High Priest, Past Thrice Illustrious Master, and Past Eminent Commander, Sir Knight Knight was received into Illinois Priory No. 11 as a Knight of the York Cross of Honour on 30 August 2003. He was ordained into Pathros Tabernacle LVII, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, on 1 June 2002.

He was installed into the degree of Knight of the East and West in Shamrock Council No. 43, Knight Masons of the U.S.A., on 28 March 1998, in Belleville, where he presided as Excellent Chief in the year 2004. He became a member of the Grand College of Rites on 15 February 2002.

He was initiated into Little Egypt Council No. 400, Allied Masonic Degrees, on 20 February 2001, in Mount Vernon, where he served as Sovereign Master in the year 2002. He was received into Ye Ancient Order of Corks and the Masonic Order of the Bath, both on on 15 February 2002. He was awarded Knight Commander of the the Red Branch of Eri.

Our Excellent Grand Master of the First Veil was elected and received the degree of Knight of the Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine and the Orders of the Holy Sepulchre and St. John the Evangelist in Saxa Rubra Conclave on 5 May 2007.

Excellent Companion Knight was elected and received his degrees in Southern Illinois York Rite College No. 33, in Belleville, of whom he served as Pre-Eminent Governor in the years 2006-2007. He was received into the Order of the Purple Cross on 31 July 2004.

Brother Knight was created a 32° Scottish Rite Freemason and Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret on 8 April 1995 in the Valley of Southern Illinois, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, in Belleville. He was honoured on 7 April 2001 by being installed into the Royal Order of Scotland.

Earl joined the Order of the Sword of Bunker Hill in Betsy Ross Order No. 30 in Benton, on 6 May 2000.

Made eligible by his Naval service, he was inducted into Wayne M. Gatewood Chapter No. 536, National Sojourners, of Springfield, on 2 August 2000; and became a Hero of ‘76 in Abraham Lincoln Camp on 3 September of the same year. He served as Commander in the years 2006-2007.

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