MOGMJHess

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JOHN W. HESS 1951-

JHess.jpg

Grand Master, 2011-2012

BIOGRAPHY

From Missouri Lodge of Research:

John W. Hess was born on March 1, 1951 in Des Moines, Iowa the adopted son of John F. and Annabelle Hess. He was raised in Albia, Iowa and attended St Mary's Grade School and graduated from Albia Community High School in 1969. He attended the University of Iowa and graduated from Creighton University in 1975 with a Bachelor in Science Degree. While at Creighton he was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity and after college served on the Board of Regents of the Delta Chi Fraternity on three separate occasions. He was the Alumni Advisor of the Delta Chi Chapters at Creighton, Iowa and Kansas City and served on the Alumni Board of Trustees of the Missouri Chapter

After graduating from Creighton, John went to work for Roberts Dairy in Grand Island Nebraska, moving to the J.M. Swank Co. in Iowa City and International Distributing in Kansas City. He went to work for Mo-Kan Distribution and served as officer manager for 15 years. Presently he is employed by the Division of Family Services, Child Support for the State of Missouri.

John began his Masonic career in Buckner Lodge in 1995 and served as Master in 1997 and 1998. He was appointed DDGM of the 59th Masonic District in 2000 and 2001 and served the Grand Lodge as Grand Orator in 2001 and 2001. John was elected to a four year term as a member of the Board of Directors of the Masonic Home in 2000 serving on the Admission and Discipline Committee. He served on the Public Relations Committee, the Ways and Means Committee and the University Lodge Committee of the Grand Lodge. He was appointed to the Advancing line by Grand Master Thompson and was elected and installed Grand Master in September 2011.

While on the advancing line, John served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Missouri Children's Foundation and was instrumental in the formation of the MoChip Program.While serving as President of the Board of Directors of the Masonic Home of Missouri he oversaw the sale of the Western Unit of the Masonic Home, taking the Home to a true Outreach Program.

Brother Hess is a member of the York Rite Bodies of Liberty Missouri serving as High Priest of Liberty Chapter No 3 RAM, Liberty Council No 50 R&SM and Liberty Commandery No 6 KT. He was awarded the Lewis and Clark Award from the Grand Commandery in 2001. He is a member of Missouri Priory No 17 Knights York Cross of Honor. in 2012 He was a member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of St Joseph and served as Commander of the Council of Kadosh for the Valley of Kansas City being recognized as a KCCH in 2005.

Brother Hess is a member of Kilwinney Council Allied Masonic Degrees and served is a Past Sovereign, Tipperary Council Knight Masons and served as Excellent Chief, Missouri College Rosecruciants and served as Celebrant, the Harry S Truman York Rite College and received the Order of the Purple Cross from the York Rite Sovereign College in 2012. He is a member of the Court of Discovery, Grand Court of Athelstan and a recipient of the Knight of the Scarlet Mantel, the first Missourian to receive that decoration. John also served as the Charter Tall Grand Tall Cedar of the Harry S Truman Forest in Kansas City. He also provided leadership to Masonichip International serving on its board and serving as President in 2012.

He served as President of the Kansas City Chapter No 63 National Sojourners and Past Commander of Old Glory Camp, Hero's of 76.

John was active with the Boy Scouts of American , serving as Scoutmaster in Liberty and on the Heart of America Council Boy Scouts of America being recognized with the Silver Beaver Award in 1987.

John feels his greatest accomplishments while a Grand Lodge officer were the formation of the MoChip program and the establishment of the Missouri Masonic Research Library where he currently serves as Librarian. And personally being able to be part in the degree work of Clifton Truman Daniel, Grand Master Truman's grandson in conjunction with the Grand Lodge of Illinois. He is currently a member of the advancing Line of the Missouri Lodge of Research and involved with the Truman Lecture Series.


Missouri Grand Masters