Grand Master

Grand Master Brother L. C. Harper was born June 18,1926, in the small mining community of Glomawr, Kentucky; the second oldest of the nine children of Clayton Harper and Jewell Elam. He was educated in the Perry County Public School system. He is a veteran of the United States Navy. Brother Harper has four children: Toni D. Weiser, Connie R. Harper, Robin C. Oscherwitz and Lana G. Harper. He is married to Dean Thompson Harper, and is a member of the Salem Creek Baptist Church at Walton. He is a retired Department Supervisor of the General Motors Assembly Plant at Norwood, Ohio, where he worked from 1953 to 1983. MASONIC RECORD Brother Harper was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Verona Lodge No. 876in 1956. He was elected to serve as Master in 1987, and served as Secretary on three different occasions. He is also a dual member of Petersburg Lodge No. 926. In 1992 he was very instrumental in bringing a group of officers and members of Nitshill Lodge No. 1478, Glasgow, Scotland, to the Commonwealth. They visited the two Masonic Homes, attended a District Meeting, and exemplified some "Mock Degrees" for our benefit and pleasure. His record reads as follows: • Deputy Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Kentucky, 1994-1995 • Grand Senior Warden, Grand Lodge of Kentucky, 1993-1994 • Grand Junior Warden, Grand Lodge of Kentucky, 1992-1993 • District Deputy Grand Master, District No. 27, 1989-1990 • Life Member, Northern Kentucky Past Masters • Member, Past Grand Masters Association, Tennessee • Appointed to Board of Directors, George Washington National Memorial • Honorary Member, Grand Lodge of Tennessee • Honorary Member, Grand Lodge of Alabama • Other Honorary Memberships: Jerusalem No. 9, St. Andrews No. 18, Bradfordsville No. 136, McKee No. 144, Apperson No. 195, Zebulon No. 273, Boone-Union No. 304, Wilmington No. 362, Flatgap No. 616, Berea No. 617, Breathitt No. 649, Hazard No. 676, Grahamville No. 707, Walton No. 719, Fields No. 832, Dry Ridge No. 849, Boaz No. 850, Lonesome Pine No. 884, Wheelwright No. 889, Sunset No. 915; John W. Hall No. 950, Fairdale No. 942, Pekin No. 29, Illinois; Washington Meredith No. 355. • Scottish Rite: Indra Consistory, Valley of Covington, where he received the Rank and Dignity of Knight Commander Court of Honour. • York Rite: Royal Arch Mason, Temple Chapter No. 172; Royal and Select Master, Jeff eries Chapter No.33; Commandry Knights Templar, Newport No. 13. • Shrine: Kosair Temple, Louisville. For many being elected to serve as a Grand Lodge Officer is a dream come true. When Brother L. C. Harper was elected Grand JuniorWarden at the One-Hundred-Ninety-Third Annual Communication on October 20, 1992, the dream was just beginning. His motives for serving Masonry, and his interests in "continuing the tradition" of Our Homes, are somewhat unique. His only sister, and four younger brothers, grew up at the Masonic Widows and Orphans' Home. By serving the Grand Lodge of Kentucky he is giving something back. His Awareness Program, which focuses on finances, leadership, and accountability, has been well received. The Friend to Friend Program is deemed a success. His support of Masonic Youth Programs are well documented. Many of his goals have been accomplished. Along the way some were altered and improved. Some are now in the hands of those who will follow. And a few were, simply, unattainable. But the dream lives on. In a few short hours his successor will have been duly elected and installed. His particular duties and responsibilities to the Craft of this Grand Jurisdiction as our highest elected officer will come to an end. He will join a very select and prestigious group of men and Masons, as history will record the name of Brother L. C. Harper among the one-hundred-eighty - six others who have served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. However, as a Past Grand Master, he will inherit many new and even more demanding duties and responsibilities. And they are not to be taken lightly. For if we, the Masons of Kentucky, look to our Elected Officers for leadership and enlightenment, then most assuredly do our Elected Officers look to the Past Grand Masters for guidance and support, advice and direction. Brother Harper will welcome, and readily accept, these new challenges with an open mind; with the best interest of the Fraternity in his heart; with true Masonic spirit; and with the desire to "make it happen." The voluntary sacrifices we make in the name, and on behalf, of Freemasonry, often pale in comparison to those we ask of our families and loved ones. With this thought in mind we have the utmost appreciation and admiration for his lovely wife Dean, who has been with him at every step, at every turn, offering support and encouragement. • Brother L. C. Harper has served this Grand Masonic Jurisdiction with dignity, with grace and with pride. He has given us cause to reflect on the positive and noble reasons we became Free and Accepted Masons. I would like to publicly and personally thank him for his firm committments to Masonry. Most of all I thank him for giving me the opportunity to put these thoughts in writing, and for allowing me to share them with you here today. Brother L. C , I am very proud to number you among my "Friends" and "Brothers". And I am truly honored to be numbered among yours.