Honors long-time Freemasons

Jacksboro Freemason Lodge #322’s new Grandmaster Joseph Cronin was installed into office on Tuesday at the lodge meeting.

VERY TOP PHOTO: At the conclusion of Tuesday’s Jacksboro Freemason Lodge #322 meeting, members celebrated the Lodge’s 158th anniversary with a special cake.

By Charlotte Underwood 

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- The Jacksboro Freemason Lodge #322 marked a milestone on Tuesday, celebrating its 158th anniversary. The Lodge held its meeting at 7pm, installing Lodge officers and honoring three long-time members for their services.

The Jacksboro Freemason Lodge #322 established its charter in December of 1866 and “has had a long history of charitable services.”

Members of Jacksboro Freemason Lodge #322 celebrated the Lodge’s 158th anniversary Tuesday night.  Jacksboro Freemasons Lodge #322 installed officers at Tuesday’s meeting: Joseph Cronin, Grand Master of the Jacksboro Lodge. James Phillips Senior Warden. George Mefford Junior Warden, Barney Goins Treasurer, Rick Zareva Secretary, Leroy Morgan Lodge Chaplain, Dan Mullins and Dewayne Ward were installed as Deacons, Carl Blankenship and Harvey Ward were installed as Stewards, and Herbert Davis was appointed Tiler. Also pictured is Grand Lodge of Tennessee Grandmaster Brother Buddy Leach. 

At Tuesday’s Lodge meeting, Lodge leadership passed from outgoing Grandmaster Joe Dobrovolny to the Lodge’s new Grandmaster Joseph Cronin. 

Clifford Cooper was recognized at Tuesday’s Jacksboro Freemason Lodge #322’s meeting. The 98-year-old Cooper was recognized for 70 years as a Maser Mason. He joined January 15,1955. Cooper received his certificate from Grand Lodge of Tennessee Grandmaster Brother Buddy Leach who came to the meeting to honor Cooper and several other long-time lodge members.

Grand Lodge of Tennessee Grand Master Brother Buddy Leach attended Tuesday’s meeting in Jacksboro and presented certificates to long-time lodge members Clifford Cooper, Everette George Wilson and Jay Will Phillips. Wilson and Phillips were both honored for 60 years of service as a “Master Mason”. Phillips’s son Gary accepted the certificate on his father’s behalf. Phillips joined the Freemasons June 19 of 1965.

Everette “George” Wilson was recognized for his 60 years as a Master Freemason. Wilson, who is 81 joined the Freemasons June 20, 1965. Grand Lodge of Tennessee Grandmaster Brother Buddy Leach, right, presented the certificate.

Everette “George” Wilson was recognized for his 60 years as a Master Freemason. Wilson, who is 81, joined the Freemasons June 20, 1965.

Jay Will Phillips was honored for 60 years of service as a “Master Mason”. Phillips’s son Gary accepted the certificate on his father’s behalf. Phillips joined the Freemasons June 19 of 1965. Grand Lodge of Tennessee Grandmaster Brother Buddy Leach, right, presented the certificate.

 The 98-year-old Cooper was recognized for 70 years as a Maser Mason. He joined January 15,1955. Cooper, who is from LaFollette, said he joined as a young man in his 20s because he “wanted to know what was going on.”

All three were recognized for their “huge contributions to Freemasonry” and received certificates from Grandmaster Brother Buddy Leach.

Clifford Cooper, right, and his wife Ruth, left, attended Tuesday’s Jacksboro Freemason Lodge #322 meeting where Clifford was recognized for 70 years as a Master Mason. He and Ruth will celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary on Feb. 3rd.

Officers were also installed at Tuesday’s meeting. Jimmy Miller was the Installation Marshal, while Grandmaster Leach read their offices and responsibilities to the fraternity. At the end of the meeting, Jacksboro Lodge #322 Grandmaster Joseph Cronin presented a certificate to Grandmaster Leach and honorarily inducted him into the Jacksboro Lodge #322.

Jacksboro Freemason Lodge #322’s new Grandmaster Joseph Cronin was installed into office on Tuesday at the lodge meeting.

Installation of officers included:

Joseph Cronin installed as Grand Master of the Jacksboro Lodge. 

James Phillips was installed as Senior Warden of the Lodge.

George Mefford was installed as Junior Warden of the Lodge.

Barney Goins was installed as Treasurer of the Lodge.

Rick Zareva was installed as the Secretary of the Lodge.

Leroy Morgan was installed as Lodge Chaplain.

Dan Mullins and Dewayne Ward were installed as Deacons of the Lodge.

Carl Blankenship and Harvey Ward were installed as Stewards of the Lodge 

Herbert Davis was appointed Tiler of the Lodge. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-12/04/2024-6AM)

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