John Thomas Cooper

John Thomas Cooper was born at McGregor, Texas, on September 19, 1906. He received his degrees in Gray Lodge in 1934: the Entered Apprentice on March 21, the Fellowcraft on May 23, and the Master Mason degree on September 26. Appointed Senior Steward in 1935, he served as Junior Deacon and Senior Deacon, was elected Junior Warden in 1938, and then served as Senior Warden. He was installed as the 69th Master in 1940 by Past Master K. E. Gaugler, assisted by Past Master J. P. Cornelius.

His year unfolded as war spread across Europe. Houston had grown to 384,514 people and was busy with the national defense program, with Ellington Field and Camp Wallace readied for soldiers. On September 16, 1940, the Selective Training and Service Act set up the first peacetime draft in the nation’s history.

Lodge life went on. On September 12, Past Grand Master John H. Crooker, Sr., conferred the Master Mason degree on his own son, John H. Crooker, Jr. After the stated meeting of February 19, 1941, the brethren stayed to watch films of the Holy Land and of U.S. Navy maneuvers. The Masons of the 30th District held a memorial service at the San Jacinto Battlefield Monument on April 21, and nineteen Past Masters of Gray Lodge attended Past Masters’ Night on May 30, when the Rev. M. M. Wolf spoke on “Time.”

Brother Cooper was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Washington Chapter No. 2 on June 7, 1941, and was a member of Houston Council No. 1, Royal and Select Masters. He was made a Knight Templar in Ruthven Commandery No. 2 on June 22, 1943.