L. WALT PUCKETT (w∴m∴ 1987-1988)
(deceased)

Loyal Walton Puckett, Jr. was born on February 18, 1947 in Houston, Texas, and was educated in the public school system of the city. After graduation, he attended Stephen F. Austin University before transferring to the University of Houston. For many years he was employed in the export shipping industry, working for the J. P. Harle Forwarding and the Panalpina companies, before embarking on a new career as an insurance agent with the Allstate Company.

He was married, and had two children.

As a young man, Brother Puckett was a member of the Order of DeMolay, having received the degrees from Robert E. Lee Chapter in Houston, Texas. He served as the 36th Master Councilor of that Chapter during the spring of 1963. As an adult, he twice served as Chapter Advisor of Robert E. Lee Chapter, and in 1973 received the Guild of the Leather Apron as Advisor of the Year. At the time of his death, he was serving as Chapter Advisor for Reagan Chapter. Because of his devoted service to the Order of DeMolay, he was invested with the Degree of Chevalier in 1965, awarded the Cross of Honor in 1974, and invested as a member of the Legion of Honor in 1979.

Brother Puckett received the degrees of Freemasonry from Holland Lodge No. 1 in Houston, Texas. He was initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason on July 24, 1968; passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on July 16, 1969; and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on September 3, 1969. He transferred his membership to Jacques DeMolay Lodge No. 1390 in June 1981, and served as Worshipful Master of the Lodge from 1987 to 1988.

Brother Puckett was a member of the Chapter, Council and Commandery of the York Rite. He was also a member of Arabia Temple Shrine, and was a member of the Shrine’s Clown Jewels unit. Affectionately known as “Buttons”, he served that unit as its President in 1985.

Brother Puckett was a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, having received the degrees from the Houston bodies in December 1970. He was a member of the Twenty-first Degree team, and had been the Assistant Degree Master of the Twenty-third Degree. 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 1977.

Brother Puckett was a founding member of the Jacques DeMolay Lodge Scholarship Fund, Inc. He had been a member of its Board of Directors since 1991, and had served as Vice President since 1992.

Brother Puckett passed away on September 14, 1996 after a short illness. At his memorial service, the Masonic funeral rite was performed under the auspices of Jacques DeMolay Lodge No. 1390. His ashes are interred at Glenwood Cemetery.