Grand Master

Brother Carroll M. Curtis was born on a farm near Piqua in Robertson County, Kentucky, on September 1, 1931. He was reared on this same farm and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Curtis, still live there. He is the third of a family of seven children, four boys and three girls. He was educated in the public schools of Robertson County— Thomas Grade School and Deming High School—and the University of Kentucky, Lexington. After a number of years in the engineering field, he became associated with the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and, at present, he is a Special Agent of that Company with an office in Frankfort. He moved to Frankfort in April, 1967. He is a member and past Secretary-Treasurer of the Frankfort Association of Life Underwriters, and is a member of the Kentucky and National Associations of Life Underwriters. A believer that man's first duty is to God, Brother Curtis is a member of the Piqua Christian Church, Piqua, Kentucky. During the Korean War, Brother Curtis served our Country in the United States Air Force, both in the United States and in Korea. The four year period of his service was from July, 1950 to July, 1954. He is a member of the Frankfort Kiwanis Club and served the Club as Treasurer for two terms. After having petitioned Mount Olivet Lodge-No. 291, Free and Accepted Masons, Mount Olivet, Kentucky, and elected to receive the degrees, Brother Curtis was initiated as an Entered Apprentice on June 7, 1954, and passed to the Degree of a Fellow Craft on July 5, 1954, in Sedalia Lodge No. 236, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, Sedalia, Missouri, as a courtesy to Mount Olivet Lodge No. 291. On August 9, 1954, he was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Mount Olivet Lodge No. 291. On December 27, 1954, he was appointed Junior Deacon and served for the year 1955. He served as Junior Warden in 1956, Senior Warden in 1957, and Master in 1958. He again served as Master in 1962. He is presently the Treasurer of Mount Olivet Lodge No. 291, and has served as such for several terms. Brother Curtis served the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, Free and Accepted Masons, as District Deputy Grand Master of District No. 30 in 1959-60, Grand Instructor in District No. 30 in 1960-61, Grand Pursuivant in 1963-64, and on the Committee on Ritual 1966-69. At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky in October 1966, he was elected by the Craft to be Grand Junior Warden. He was advanced to Grand Senior Warden and then to Deputy Grand Master at the Annual Communications of the Grand Lodge held in October, 1967 and October, 1968, respectively. On October 23, 1969, Most Worshipful Carroll M. Curtis was installed as Grand Master of Masons in Kentucky. He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Oregon near the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. He received the Royal Arch Degree on February 20, 1961,. in Cynthiana Chapter, No. 17, Royal Arch Masons, Cynthiana, Kentucky. He served as High Priest in 1966-67 and 1967-68. He received the Order of High Priesthood on September 20, 1967 in the Grand Council of Kentucky, Order of High Priesthood. He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of Mexico near the Grand Chapter of Kentucky. Brother Curtis received the Royal Master's Degree and Select Master's Degree on April 9, 1964, at the time of the instituting of Harrison Council, Under Dispensation, now Harrison Council, No. 106, Royal and Select Masters, Cynthiana, Kentucky. He was its first Conductor of Council and served as Illustrious Master in 1967-68. He received the Order of the Silver Trowel on September 19, 1967 in the Kentucky Council of Anointed Kings. He received the Super Excellent Master's Degree on April 17, 1965, in Washington Council, No. 1, Lexington, Kentucky. He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Council of North Dakota near the Grand Council of Kentucky. He received the Order of the Temple and was dubbed a Knight Templar on November 19, 1964, in Cynthiana Commandery, No. 16, Cynthiana, Kentucky. He served as Commander in 1969-70. He was dubbed a Knight of the York Cross of Honour on September 21, 1970, in Kentucky Priory No. 25, Knights of the York Cross of Honour. He is a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Covington, Orient of Kentucky; a member of the Philalethes Society, a Masonic research and study organization; a member of Grand Master's Council No. A, Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States of America; a Fellow of the Grand College of Rites of the United States of America; a member of the Society of Past Masters of Northern Kentucky; and a charter member of the Association of Past Masters if the 30th District, and was its first President. He is an honorary member of many Kentucky Lodges. , He has served three terms on the Board of Directors of the Kentucky DeMolay Foundation, the past year as President. He received the Honorary Legion of Honor on June 3, 1969, in Lexington, Kentucky, having been previously elected by the International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay for Boys. Brother Curtis has attended all District Meetings throughout the state, traveling thousands of miles on behalf of Masonry, teaching, talking and practicing all the high precepts of our great fraternity. His loyalty and devotion to our great order has been portrayed during his entire Masonic life, in the local lodge, district, and Grand Lodge activities. His loyalty, devotion, patience and interest have characterized his activities daily; striving for the true meaning, and concepts of Masonry to be a meaningful part of every Mason. The sincerity of his leadership will be long remembered by those of us who have followed him. Brother Curtis has conducted many installation ceremonies in lodges throughout the state, presided at dedications, of Masonic Halls and temples, churches and other buildings, presented twentyfive and fifty-year buttons and conducted himself in such a manner as to attempt to bring before all brethren the need to practice the Principles of Brotherhood of Man and the Fatherhood of God. He has lived and practiced Masonry in all ways since becoming a Mason and his dignity, reverence and enthusiasm for the brotherhood has been characterized in all of his activities.