RIGMCulton
DONALD FRASER CULTON 1917-2008
Grand Master 1962-1963
BIOGRAPHY
Donald Fraser Culton, of Nestell Lodge, No. 37, A. F. & A. M., of Providence, Rhode Island, was elected and installed the one hundred and seventh Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, at the One Hundred and Seventy-first Annual Communication held in Providence, on Monday, May 21, A . L. 5962, A. D. 1962.
Most Worshipful Brother Culton was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on February 13, 1917, the son of William Fraser and Eva (Gavitt) Culton. He was educated in the Providence Public Schools, graduating from Central High School in February, 1936.
Following his graduation he worked for his Father at the W. F. Culton Motor Express, after the death of his Father in 1945, the business became incorporated, and at present he is serving as Assistant Treasurer and Secretary.
He is an active member of Mathewson Street Methodist Church, in Providence, Rhode Island.
Brother Culton has been active in civic and fraternal organizations. He was a charter member of the Providence Junior Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Board of Directors, serving two years as a vice-president. A Past Grand Commander of the United Order of the Golden Cross, and has been active with the Boy Scouts of America for the past thirteen years.
On June 25, 1938 he was married to Melva A. Kettlcband. They have four sons: Donald Fraser, David Frederick, Richard Allen and Douglas, along with one grand-child Rhonda Jean.
He was a member of Providence Chapter Order of DeMolay and the second DeMolay to become a Grand Master in the State of Rhode Island.
Most Worshipful Brother Culton's Masonic record began in 1941 when he was made a Master Mason in Nestell Lodge, No. 37, A. F. & A. M., of Providence, Rhode Island and served as its Worshipful Master during the year 1951-1952.
In Grand Lodge he was appointed as an Assistant Grand Lecturer in May, 1952 by M. W. Brother Fred W. Johnstone and served in that rapacity for two years. In May, 1954 he was appointed Seventh District Deputy Grand Master by M. W. Brother Bernard B. Abedon, and the following years appointed to a similar position in other districts.
On May 16, 1960 he was elected R. W. Senior Grand Warden and on May 15, 1961 elected as R. W. Deputy Grand Master.
He holds membership in Providence Royal Arch Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M., Providence Council, No. 1, R. & S. M., and Thomas Smith Webb Commanderv, No. 51, K. T., and the Masonic Veterans Association of Rhode Island.
He is an Honorary Member of Warwick Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M., of West Warwick; Star of Bethlehem Lodge, Chelsea, Massachusetts and an Honorary Member of Narragansett Bay Chapter, No. 14, National Sojourners.
In 1954 he was appointed Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, near the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island.
In 1961 he was invested with the DeMolay Legion of Honor.
In June, 1962, the Grand Ixxlge of Nova Scotia presented him with the Erasmus J. Phillips Medallion; in April, 1963, the Grand Lodge of New Jersey honored him with the Daniel Cox Medal for Distinguished Service.
In December, 1962, he was presented with the Thomas Smith Webb Commandery Medal and in April, 1963, the DeMolay Medal.
