Honored Mason

The recent Annual Meeting of the Supreme Council, held last month in Grand Rapids, Michigan, saw the election of Ill\ Chester G. Burton, 33° , as an Active Member. This action by the governing body of Scottish Rite in the Northern Jurisdiction is a credit to Ill\ Brother Burton and the Valley of Cincinnati.

Ill\ Brother Burton follows Ill\ Alfred E. Rice, 33° as the top Scottish Rite official in Cincinnati. As an Active Member he is responsible for the progress and development of Scottish Rite Freemasonry in southwestern Ohio and reports directly the Deputy for Ohio, James E. Olmstead, 33° He will also be assuming new duties as he is assigned to various committees of the Supreme Council.

A distinguished educator, Ill\ Brother Burton holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology and Chemistry from Union College and a Masters Degree in Biology from Vanderbilt University. He has done post graduate work at the University of Cincinnati and Miami University. He was a member of the faculty at Finneytown High School for twenty-five years and, at the time of his retirement in 1995 was Chairman of the Science Department. He is currently on the faculty of the Ursuline Academy, a private school for girls, in Blue Ash.

During years his as a teacher he imparted to his students an enthusiasm for learning which resulted in a very high percentage pursing higher education.

A high level of competence and energy carried over to the Masonic Fraternity which has been proud to count him as a member since January 15, 1971 when he was raised a Master Mason in Excelsior Lodge No.369 (later merged with McMillan Lodge No. 141). In the interviewing years he has served as Worshipful Master of Excelsior Lodge; High Priest of McMillan Chapter No.19, R.A.M.; and Eminent Commander of Cincinnati Commandery No.3, K.T. He also holds membership in Cincinnati Council No.1, R.S.M.; Royal Order of Scotland; St. Columbia Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine; Seven Hills Council No.118, Allied Masonic Degrees; Syrian Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S.; Cincinnati Court No.7, Royal Order of Jesters. He is a member and Past Patron of Mt. Healthy Chapter, Order of Eastern Star.

In the Grand Lodge of Ohio, he has served with distinction as a District Education Officer (1987, 1988, 1989) and District Deputy Grand Master (1992, 1993, 1994).

His interest in Scottish Rite Freemasonry began when he joined the Valley of Cincinnati as a member of the 1976 Spring Class. His talents in ritual and administration were put to good use as he served as an officer of Dalcho Council, Princes of Jerusalem, culminating with his election as Sovereign Prince in 1989. On September 24, 1991, in recognition of outstanding service to the fraternity, he received the Thirty-third Degree and became a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33° , Honorary Member of the Supreme Council.

After retiring as an officer of Dalcho Council, he remained active in the Scottish Rite, serving on the Board of Trustees and as Chairman of the Scholarship Committee and Membership Development Commit-tee. He is currently serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Ill\ Brother Burton and the former Bobbie Sue Skelton were joined in marriage on December 20, 1964.

They are the parents of two sons, Robert and Raymond, and the proud grandparents of three beautiful grandchildren.

For many years the Burtons have been active members of Mt. Healthy Christian Church where he has served two terms as a deacon and two terms as an elder.

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Honored Mason and Past Master !