EDWARD N. THOMPSON (w∴m∴ 1986-1987; 1998-1999)
(deceased)

Edward Newton Thompson was born on November 6, 1931 in Houston. He was educated in the public school system of the city, graduating from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1949. He continued his education at the University of Houston, where he graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science in Speech and History, and earned a Master of Education degree the following year.

He was employed with the Houston Independent School District as a teacher, and retired in 1996 after forty-six years of educating the youth of this city. During his tenure as an educator, he was awarded the Good Citizenship Medal from the Sons of the American Revolution for establishing the first Mexican history course in HISD, and in 1987 was honored with the B’nai B’rith Brotherhood Award for his work with minority students.

As a young man, Brother Thompson was a member of the Order of DeMolay, having received the degrees in 1949 from Gus A. Brandt Chapter. He served as Master Councilor of his chapter three times, in 1949, 1950 and 1951, and also served as the Illustrious Knight Commander of Park Place Priory, Order of Knighthood. As an adult, he was a member of the Advisory Board of Reagan Chapter. He was an Honorary Member of the International Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay, the Ritual Governor for the DeMolay association of Louisiana, and Director of the Old South Ritual Tournament which is held annually in New Orleans. For his devoted service to the Order of DeMolay, he was invested with the degree of Chevalier in 1949, invested as a member of the Legion of Honor in 1962, and awarded the Cross of Honor in 1972.

Brother Thompson received the degrees in Freemasonry from Park Place Lodge No. 1172. He was initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason on January 15, 1953; passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on March 9, 1953; and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on May 13, 1953. He later affiliated as a dual member with Jacques DeMolay Lodge, and served as its Worshipful Master for the 1986-1987 masonic year, and was elected to serve a second term from 1998-1999. From 1987-1988, he served as the President of the Masters, Wardens, and Secretaries’ Association. In 1990, he was appointed by the Grand Master as District Education Officer for Masonic District 30E. He served the Lodge as its Secretary 1987-1996.

Brother Thompson was a member of the Shrine and the Order of the Eastern Star.

Brother Thompson was a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, having received the degrees from the Houston bodies in December 1965. 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 1981.

Brother Thompson passed away on October 5, 2008 at the age of seventy-six. He was laid to rest in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. Masonic graveside services were performed under the auspices of Jacques DeMolay Lodge No. 1390.