Grand Master

The biography of Brother John Claude Bertram, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky is written so that the annals of this great lodge will give proper honor to him, and to ensure that the high esteem with which his brother Masons regard him will be long remembered. Brother John Claude Bertram was born July 25,1927, in Fentress County, Tennessee. He is the oldest of three sons born to J. Claude Bertram and Elizabeth McLeod. He was educated in the York Elementary School and Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute of Jamestown, Tennessee from which he was graduated in 1944. He volunteered for service to his country and was inducted in the United States Navy in May of 1944. After serving 19 months in the hospital corps he left the service and returned to Tennessee. He graduated in August, 1952 from the Gradwohl School of Laboratory and XRay in St. Louis, Missouri after having earned an Associate's Degree in Medical Technology. Brother Bertram worked as a medical technologist at the Maple Hill Hospital in Albany, Kentucky from 1952 to 1964. In 1962 he began a career in insurance, first as a life agent and later expanded into the areas of property and casualty. In 1966 he formed the John Bertram Agency in Albany. Brother Bertram married Ida Dick (February 28,1926—April2,1985) on May 31,1947 in Rossville, Georgia, having met her the previous year. To this union was born two sons, Dennis Allen Bertram (April 18,1947 — April 10,1986) and John Edward Bertram. Brother Bertram has three grandchildren, John Allen Bertram, Rachel Alicia Bertram and Seth Edward Bertram. Brother Bertram professed faith in Jesus Christ as a young married man and joined the Albany First Baptist Church in 1949. He followed his Lord in baptism on January 15,1950. He remains an active member in this fellowship, having served as church treasurer from May 24,1967 to present. Brother Bertram began his life in Masonry in Albany Lodge No. 206, F.&A.M. of Albany, Kentucky. He was initiated as an Entered Apprentice on July 1,1957; passed to the degree of Fellow Craft on August 5,1957 and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on October 7, 1957. He was master of his lodge in 1964 and in 1965 began serving as secretary, a position still maintained by him. Brother Bertram served as the District Deputy Grand Master (District 24) from 1968 to 1970. He received the Scottish Rite Degrees in 1958 and the York Rite Degrees in 1977. In addition to the above, Brother Bertram is a member of Kosair Shrine Temple, Louisville, Kentucky, and a member of Albany Chapter No. 409, O.E.S. Brother Bertram was elected to the office of Grand Junior Warden, Grand Lodge of Kentucky in 19 8 5; elevated to Grand Senior Warden in 19 8 6 and Deputy Grand Master in 1987. He was elected and installed as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky in October, 1988. Brother Bertram has endeavored to strengthen the Grand Lodge and subordinate lodges by promoting peace, harmony and fellowship through the practice of friendship, morality and brotherly love. Brother Bertram's wit and humor have served him well in his Grand Lodge duties. His philosophy of life is best described in the following quote from a letter of Ms. Alice Sloan Harrison, one of Brother Bertram's high school English teachers, "I know you bring a great deal of cheer into the lives of many people each day with your wonderfully happy attitude toward life."