MOGMRBond
RAY BOND 1886-1956
Picture courtesy of Missouri Lodge of Research Archive
Grand Master, 1950-1951
BIOGRAPHY
From Missouri Lodge of Research:
Ray Bond was born in Wilber, Nebraska, May 3, 1886. His father was engaged in the grain and banking business for many years. When Ray was a small boy the Bond family moved from Nebraska to Junction City, Kansas and then to Chapman, Kansas. In the Spring of 1900 he family chose Joplin, Missouri as their permanent home.
In the spring of 1904, Ray graduated from Joplin High School and in the fall he entered the Law School of Missouri University at Columbia, Missouri where in the spring of1907 he received the Bachelor of Laws Degree. On the third day after receiving his majority he was admitted to Practice Law in the State and Federal Courts.
He accepted an important appointment by the Missouri Supreme Court as Chairman of its Commission to Revise the Rules of Civil Practice and Procedure in the Trial Courts of the State, and the Missouri Bar made him Chairman of its committee to formulate a more modern Code of Civil Procedure. He was appointed as Chairman of the Missouri Social Security Administration by Governor Donnell and Brother Bond served as Attorney for the City of Joplin for ten years and was an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Jasper County for four years.
Brother Bond was raised to the degree of Master Mason in Joplin Lodge No 335, November 22, 1919 and served as Master in 1926. He served as DDGM in 1930, served on the Appeals & Grievance Committee, appointed Grand Sword Bearer in 1942 and elected Grand Master in 1950.
He was a member of Joplin Chapter No 91 Royal Arch Masons, Jasper Council No 30, Royal and Select Masters and Ascension Commandery KT, knighted May 31, 1938. He was elected Grand Commander in 1948.
He was a member of the Red Cross of Constantine, St Andrew Conclave No 11 and served as Sovereign in 1948.
On Monday morning,March 12, 1956 Brother Bond passed to his reward in Freeman Hospital, Joplin, Missouri. Funeral Services were held in the Thornhill--Dillon Chapel in Joplin and interment was in Mount Hope Cemetery in Joplin. There is not a record of a Masonic Service.
