George Walton Evans

George Walton Evans was born at Terrell, Texas, on May 13, 1911, the son of Joseph S. and Elizabeth Evans. After high school he served in the U.S. Air Force from October 18, 1942, to February 23, 1946, rising to Sergeant. He married Kathleen Stephens on July 15, 1952, and they had a son, Joseph Walton, and a daughter, Mary Kathleen. A member of West End Baptist Church and an avid fisherman, he built a successful grocery business, later retiring to Bacliff.

He received his degrees in Gray Lodge in 1949: the Entered Apprentice on September 26, the Fellowcraft on October 26, and the Master Mason degree on November 28. He became Chaplain in 1951 and then served as Junior Steward, Junior Deacon, Junior Warden and Senior Warden. He was installed as the 85th Master on June 26, 1956, by Past Master Bryan Funderburke, Sr., with Past Master Dr. Jesse N. Messer as Marshal, and Grand Junior Warden Randall E. Briscoe was the speaker.

His year brought the decision that shaped the lodge’s future. After a five-acre tract on Voss Road slipped away, a realtor pointed the Building Site Committee to land in the new Briar Meadow Addition. The committee negotiated the price from $22,500 down to $15,000 an acre for at least three acres. On May 15, 1957, Secretary Roy S. Hall laid out the proposal, and Past Masters Gordon C. Evans and Ted O. Boswell spoke in favor; Past Master Marion W. King spoke against it, citing the distance from downtown. Of the 117 members present, only four voted no. Past Masters Gordon C. Evans and Wm. J. Coulson, Jr., with Jackson B. Smith, Jr., were named to complete the purchase.

The lodge also gave a life membership to I. B. Rohrer, sent the Secretary to a conference of lodge secretaries in San Antonio, and began sending the Grand Lodge Magazine to every brother raised during the year. In November Grand Junior Warden Briscoe returned to speak on educating the new Mason.

Brother Evans later served as District Deputy Grand Master of District 30B. He was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Washington Chapter No. 2 on July 19, 1954, was a member of Houston Council No. 1, Royal and Select Masters, and was a Past Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star.