W. BLAIN KOENNING (w∴m∴ 1990-1991)
(deceased)

Walter Blain Koenning was born on November 21, 1951 in Houston, Texas, where he was educated in the public school system of the city. After graduating from Sam Houston High School in 1970, he attended the University of Houston.

He was employed with the County Clerk’s Office of Harris County as the Information Systems Manager. He was married and had two children, a son and a daughter.

As a young man, Brother Koenning was a member of the Order of DeMolay, having received the degrees in St. John Chapter in 1968, and serving as that Chapter’s Master Councilor during the second term of 1971. As an adult, he has served as a member of the Advisory Councils of St. John and Houston Chapters, and was named as Chapter Dad of the Year in 1984. From 1979-1986, he served as the Personal Representative of the Executive Officer of Texas, and as Governor for the districts of Houston and San Jacinto. From 1996 to 2001, he served as the ninth Executive Officer for the Order of DeMolay in Texas Because of his devoted service to the Order of DeMolay, he was invested with the Degree of Chevalier in 1972, awarded the Cross of Honor in 1978, presented with the Medal of Appreciation in 1980, and invested as a member of the Legion of Honor in 1981.

Brother Koenning received the degrees in Freemasonry from Aldine Lodge No. 1412. He was initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason on August 21, 1973; passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on November 6, 1973; and was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on December 14, 1973. In November 1984, he affiliated as a dual member with Jacques DeMolay Lodge, and served as Worshipful Master for the masonic year 1990-1991. In 1997, he was appointed to serve as the District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District 30A. He also served as Chairman of the Grand Lodge Youth Activities Committee.

Brother Koenning was a member of the Chapter, Council and Commandery of the York Rite, and was a member of the Shrine and the Knight Masons of the United States of America. He was also a member of the Red Cross of Constantine, Knight Masons, and the Allied Masonic Degrees.

Brother Koenning was a member of the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, and served as Monarch of Chinar Grotto in 1987. Brother Koenning was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and served three terms as Worthy Patron of Garden Oaks Chapter No. 987. He was also a member of the Order of the Amaranth, and served as Royal Patron of Houston Court No. 2 in 1995.

Brother Koenning was a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish of Freemasonry, having received his degrees from the Houston bodies in September 1974. During reunions, he served as the Control Booth Coordinator, and was a member of the Board of Directors for the Valley of Houston. 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 1983, and was coroneted an Inspector General Honorary of the Thirty-third Degree in 1997.

Brother Koenning passed away on November 23, 2008 at the age of fifty-seven. He was laid to rest at Ascension of our Lord Cemetery. Masonic graveside services were performed under the auspices of Jacques DeMolay Lodge No. 1390.