R. A. FORD (w∴m∴ 1967-1968; 1968-1969)
(deceased)

R. A. Ford was born on February 17, 1921 in Wichita Falls, Texas. He received his education in the public school system of that city, graduating from Wichita Falls High School in 1939.

In 1940, he was mobilized with the 103rd Battery Field Artillery, 36th Division, of the Texas National Guard. He was stationed with the Regimental Headquarters at Camp Bowie in Brownwood until 1944, when he was discharged with the rank of Sergeant Major.

After his discharge, he attended the University of Southern California and Northwestern University, and received his Bachelor’s of Business Administration from the U.S. Armed Forces Institute.

He worked for the Houston office of the Federal Housing Authority, the office of the Tax Assessor and Collector of Harris County, and the Shell Employees Credit Union, from the latter of which he retired.

He was married, with three children.

As a young man, Brother Ford was a member of the Order of DeMolay, having received the degrees from Hope Chapter.

Brother Ford received the degrees in Freemasonry from Gray Lodge No. 329. He was initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason on February 20, 1956; passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on March 26, 1956; and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on April 28, 1956. He affiliated with Jacques DeMolay Lodge No. 1390 in April 1960, and served as Worshipful Master from 1967-1969. He was the first of only one of two members in the Lodge’s history to serve two terms as Master. He also served as Secretary of the Lodge from 1983-1987. He was a charter member of J. W. Chandler Lodge No. 1452, and had served as its Secretary from the Lodge’s inception in 1988. He was also a member of S. P. Waltrip No. 1328.

Brother Ford was a member of the Texas Lodge of Research, presiding as its twelfth Worshipful Master from 1971-1972. He was serving as the Treasurer of that Lodge at the time of his death.

Brother Ford was a member of the Chapter, Council and Commandery of the York Rite, and was also a member of Arabia Temple Shrine.

Brother Ford was a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, having received the degrees from the Houston bodies in October and November 1969, and for a number of years was a member of the Wardrobe Committee. For his service and devotion to the Rite, he was invested with the rank and decoration of a Knight Commander of the Court of Honour in 1979, and was coroneted an Inspector General Honorary of the Thirty-third Degree in 1997.

Brother Ford passed away on March 30, 2002 at the age of eighty-one.