The North Carolina Mason

November/December 2020 The North Carolina Mason Page 9 WICKER, from page 5 GREGORY, from page 3 TEAMWORK, from page 4 ever known has sought out the position. In fact, every one of us has been surprised when we were asked. Every one of us is certain the Deputy Grand Master must have made a mistake, because we never considered ourselves worthy of the appoint- ment. at is certainly what went through my mind that day when then DGM Mayo asked me to accept the position of Grand Steward. Well … that and how am I going to deliver the lecture now? My brothers, that is my story. A parade on a hot Saturday morning in June started me on a path that led to becoming Grand Master of Masons in North Carolina. As I write this article, I still ask myself if I am worthy and well qualified to hold this office. I don't know if that is a question I can answer. I will leave that determination to others who are smarter and wiser than me. e Past Grand Masters with whom I have had the privilege of serving have truly been great men. ey have set the standard very high. I am humbled and honored that the Craft elected me to be Grand Master. All I can do in the coming year is offer the Fraternity my best efforts. I ask each of you for your support, for your assistance and, when neces- sary, for you to whisper good counsel. Having been entrusted by the Craft with this office, I will endeavor to merit the confidence that has been reposed in me. was built with events like this in mind, long before anyone ever heard of the coronavirus. e sound system, internet services and other tech needs are covered. Combine that with hard work, preparation and Masonic pride, Annual Communication was not only held, it was open to the brothers and run in the most transparent of ways. To my knowledge, no other Masonic juris- diction has matched the level of expertise and openness this annual communication brought. In fact, our Grand Lodge has fielded a number of calls from around the country from jurisdic- tions asking how they did it, Brother Robbins said. is was his first Annual Communication on staff at the Grand Lodge and he said how impressed he was by the feeling of it. "It almost felt like a regular lodge meeting. It was more personal," he said. "It's difficult to feel personal with 1,000 guys in the room at Annual Communication. But in this case, the feeling of brotherly love could definitely be felt in the room." ness, I saw myself in the eyes of men who are filled with hatred for their fellow man. I've got a long way to go, but over these last 12 months, this ashlar got a bit smoother." His work was recognized at a surprise honor years later. In 2015, Grand Master Douglas Caudle and the Grand Lodge declared Aug. 15 "omas W. Gregory Day." e declaration honored him "in recognition and honor of the sacrifices and dedication of that outstanding past grand master; a man of vision and toleration, who turned the other cheek and gave brotherly forgiveness in the face of stringent attack and misunderstanding; who blazed a new trail for our fraternity, awakening it to the 21st century." He was surprised by a contin- gent of nearly all Grand Lodge officers and several past grand masters at the August 4 stated meeting of Statesville #27. More than 20 high-ranking Masons came in together about 20 minutes after the lodge opened. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Marilyn; daughter Kimberly Moore ( Jeff ) of Arden, NC; son, omas W. Gregory, Jr. of Statesville; and granddaughter, Kameron Leigh Moore of Arden. Among other organizations, the family asked that memorials be sent to the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford. õ Masons from throughout the state were connected with the Grand Lodge officers via the Internet Whitley, James Heywood 1 St John's Anderson, William Arthur 58 Concord Beach, Corey Edward 58 Concord Carlisle, Robert Dale 58 Concord Crisp, Douglas Eugene 58 Concord Whitley, Justin-Ray Scott 58 Concord Defazio, Michael Alan 83 Lafayette Simma, Kenneth Paul 83 Lafayette Lord, Steven Dwight 85 Morning Star Spencer, Steven Robert 115 Holly Springs Lane, William Christopher 125 Mill Creek Harkins, Jesse Dwayne 145 Junaluskee Loy, Bryan Clyde 145 Junaluskee Horn, Joseph Damien 198 Cary Pickle, Dustin Michael 198 Cary Green, Jefferson Robert 214 Thomasville Shores Jr, James Harrison 214 Thomasville Haas, Thomas Bradly 262 Hibriten Pennell, Matthew Dustin 262 Hibriten Peterson, Perry Anthony 289 Salem Barton, Michael Wayne 294 Atlantic Quesinberry, Bradley Shane 322 Granite Kellett, Samuel L.R. 391 Lebanon Jackson, Leslie Robert 431 Relief Sinclair, Anthony Dixon 431 Relief Baldwin, William Scotty 495 Rockingham Coen, Jason Goodman 495 Rockingham Moss, Ben Thomas 495 Rockingham Steban Jr, Stanley J. 495 Rockingham Cobb III, David Laurence 500 Raleigh Farmer, Kenneth Edward 500 Raleigh Gulledge, Seth Thomas 500 Raleigh Newman, Richard Gordon 509 Belhaven Smith, Jordan Bailey 532 Hamlet Dulaney, Deagan Hayes 618 Union Andrews, Donald Trey 626 Cannon Memorial Mancuso, Jesse Francis 626 Cannon Memorial Holland, Michael Shane 686 Angier Scott, Tristan Drew 686 Angier Donovan, Daniel James 737 Steele Creek Ledford, Michael Benton 737 Steele Creek Perry, James Braxton 737 Steele Creek Heaton, Bradford Christopher 753 Federal Point Foshee, Zane Michael 759 James K. Polk Locklear, Carl Ryan 763 Friendship Welcome our neW Brothers

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