Betron Fayette Crook

Betron Fayette Crook was born at Henderson, Texas, on October 19, 1902, and worked as a machinist for the Hughes Tool Company. He received his degrees in Gray Lodge in 1939: the Entered Apprentice on March 24, the Fellowcraft on May 5, and the Master Mason degree on June 14. Appointed Senior Steward for 1941–1942, he served as Senior Deacon, was elected Junior Warden for 1943–1944, and then served as Senior Warden.

He was installed as the 74th Master at a public installation on June 25, 1945, with Past Master K. E. Gaugler as Installing Officer and Past Master Bryan Funderburke, Sr., as Marshal, in the glow of victory in Europe. The Worthy Matron of Ransford Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, presented the lodge with a new Texas flag, and Wm. H. Scott spoke on Masonry’s work then and 75 years before, for 1945 marked the 75th anniversary of Gray Lodge. In July the minutes recorded the names of 47 members then serving in the armed forces.

The stated meeting of August 15, 1945, fell on the day Houston celebrated the surrender of Japan, and the Worshipful Master promised to keep it short; it lasted an hour and 35 minutes. That fall Brother Frank E. Williams wrote, and later spoke in person, about attending the first meeting of Pangasinan Lodge No. 56 in the Philippines after the islands were freed. Past Master J. P. Cornelius was welcomed home from government service, and the lodge approved the formation of West University Lodge No. 1292 and Melrose Lodge No. 1294.

On Past Masters’ Night, March 20, 1946, Past Master J. F. Massey, Master in 1901–1902, recalled his early years in Masonry and received his Fifty-Year Award; sixteen Past Masters attended, and all veterans of both World Wars were recognized. The lodge was saddened by the death on April 26, 1946, of Past Master Edward E. Sawyer, its Secretary since 1921. On May 1, some 60 of Worshipful Master Crook’s fellow employees at the Hughes Tool Company came to lodge to present him with a Masonic Bible.

Brother Crook was also a Royal Arch Mason of Washington Chapter No. 2 and a member of Houston Council No. 1, Royal and Select Masters.