MOGMLCook

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LEWIS CALVERT "WES" COOK 1929-1999

LCook.jpg

Picture courtesy of Missouri Lodge of Research Archive

Grand Master, 1975-1976

BIOGRAPHY

From Missouri Lodge of Research; note that this biography precedes Brother Cook's decease; he died in 1999, according to SSDI. He does not have a Find A Grave page.

Lewis Calvert Cook was born in Weston, Missouri on May 20, 1929, the son of Wesley B. and Francis Cook. His father was a Mason and a member of the York Rite. Born Lewis Calvert, he adopted the name of "Wes" for radio and theatrical work and later officially made it legally a part of his name.

He added publicschool in Weston and North Kansas City, Missouri, Juilliard School of Music in New York, the Chicago and Kansas City Conservatories of Music. He did graduate work in English and History at the University of California in Los Angles, Rockhurst College in Kansas City and the Unversity of Missouri at Kansas City.

Wes began his career as a musician and played (mostly piano) with the name bands of Johnny Scat Davis, Glen Gray, Stuff Smith, Lionel Hampton, Harry James, Les Brown, Gene Krupa, and the U.S. Marine Corps Band. Also, he wrote a number of serious compositions, one of which was performed by the Los Angles Symphony Orchestra.

Brother Cook entered radio work in 1950 as an announcer and later worked as an announcer and newscaster for a number of stations, as well as ABC and MBS networks. On the stage Wes had experience as a Professional Actor with the Pasadena (California) Playhouse and Glendale Center Theater.

Since 1953, he worked as a newsman, writer and editorial supervisor with the Associated Press, As a newman he covered the United Nations, Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Johnson and Nixon.

Most Worshipful Brother Cook became a Mason on July 18, 1957 in Weston Lodge No 53, serving as Master in 1961. He was a member of the Grand Lodge Education Committee, 1964-1972. He was a member of the Midwest Conference Program Committee from 1965-1969 and 1970-1972. In 1968 he was appointed to the advancing line of the Grand Lodge, served as a Director and President of the Board of Directors of the Masonic Home and elected and installed Grand Master in 1975.

Beginning in 1970, he edited the Missouri Freemason Magazine. In 1964 he was named Editor of the Missouri Lodge of Research and has edited, written or rewritten 11 volumes on Masonry.

In 1970, he was elected a "Fellow" of the Missouri Lodge of Research, the fourth since its founding and was also elected a "Fellow" of the Philalethes Society.

Wes was exalted in Weston Chapter No 4 RAM and served as High Priest in 1964. He was appointed to the advancing line of the Grand Chapter RAM of Missouri and served as Grand High Priest in 1974.

Brother Cook was a member of the Order of High Priesthood, Order of the Silver Trowel, Past Commanders Association and KYCH. He was a member of Mary Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine and served as Sovereign in 1977. He was a member of Lord of Lords Tabernacle, HRAKTP and served as Very Eminent Preceptor in 1980. He was a member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Kansas City and Ararat Shrine where he served as Potentate in 1992.


Missouri Grand Masters