October 30, 2024 - Members of Joaquin Masonic Lodge #856 Atwood Kay, Jr., Travis Rodgers, and Julius Clifford Hamilton were honored October 15, 2024,
Tommy Spurlock, Worshipful Master, addressed all present and recognized the reason they had assembled, “Brothers, we are assembled upon this occasion to pay a tribute to the respect and esteem to the distinguished brothers of Joaquin Lodge, number 856.”
Spurlock noted that it was with great pride and pleasure Joaquin Lodge 856 had three members within the lodge that had 50 and 65 years of service who were being honored.
Lodge Secretary John Paul Sledge read the full Masonic record of the brothers being honored. First he read the record of brother Julius Clifford Hamilton.
“Initiated in entered apprentice on August 5, 1955, passed his degree of fellow craft on September 30, 1955 and raised in the sublime degree of a Master Mason on October 4, 1955,” aid Sledge. “He was been affiliated with Joaquin Lodge ever since, and he's never been suspended for non-payment of dues. He got his 50-year pin in November of '14.”
Also being honored was Travis Rodgers and Sledge read his record aloud, “He was initiated as an apprentice on October 1, 1966, passed in the degree of fellow craft, on the 3rd of June, 1969, and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on September 21, 1969,” said Sledge. “He got his 50-year pin today and he's never been suspended for non-payment of dues.”
Sledge then read the Masonic record of Atwood Kay, Jr. “Atwood Kay, Jr. got initiated as an under apprentice Mason on March 4, 1974, passed to the degree of fellow craft on June 15, 1974 and raised his final degree of a Master Mason on August 13, 1974,” said Sledge. “He's been affiliated with Sam Houston, Number 32, and Shelbyville, and a member of Joaquin Lodge Number 856.”
Vance Jordan, Lodge Chaplain, then led a prayer in recognition of the event and those being honored.
Jimmy Wagstaff, District Deputy Grand Master, then presented the 50 and 65 year pins to the members.
“My brothers, by virtue of the authority in me vested, it is now my happy privilege for on behalf of the most worshipful grand lodge of the ancient, honorable fraternity of free and accepted mason's of the state of Texas to present to you this Texas Grand Lodge Award as a visible token of its fraternal love and grateful appreciation,” Said Wagstaff.
Travis Rodgers was then presented with his 50-year pin; Julius Clifford Hamilton with his 65-year pin and Alton Kay, Jr. with his 50-year pin.
Toward the end of the meeting, Jerry Agnew remarked on the combined 165 years of a Masonic career among the three honorees, and that he greatly admires them.
Sledge introduced Nakia Register, and her husband Robby, as they were invited to the altar and Nakia was presented with the Community Builder Award.
He remarked the award has previously been presented to city council members, mayors, school board members, teachers, and pastors.
“This year we would like to recognize Ms. Nakia Register. For those that don't know, Ms. Nakia is the owner and operator of the Ram House restaurant, which is excellent by the way. But it's not her role as a business owner which earned her this honor, it's her heart,” said Sledge.
He continued, stating, “I can say without a shadow of a doubt, and from personal experience, that her heart to help someone in need is the light in a world that grows increasingly darker by the day. This is what makes her a prime example of this award and to bear the name of the award Community Builder.”
Upon receiving the Community Builder Awards, Register then stated she was very honored.
Jordan commented all that she does for the community is appreciated.
