Born in May 1961 in Fort Wayne Indiana to the parents of Dan & Betty Patterson. Graduated from Paul Harding High School in 1980, attended IVY Tech State College and became a Certified Welder. I was hired by Almet Inc. (Steel Fabricator) in 1981 and have progressed over the years to the position of Senior Estimator. I married my lovely wife Karen in 1983 and we have one son. He is now married and we have a wonderful daughter-in-law. We have been blessed with a beautiful little granddaughter and recently a new grandson.
I joined Sol D. Bayless Masonic Lodge #359 (Blue Lodge) in 1997 and followed shortly after joining the Fort Wayne York Rite and the Scottish Rite. Recently I have been blessed with becoming a Knight Mason, a member of Angola Preceptory #2 Yeomen of York and Pokagon AMD #147. Additionally, I am a dual member of Auburn York Rite.

Jonathan M. McCracken was born on May 16, 1971 in Louisville, Kentucky to Cecil and Bonnie McCracken.
Jon graduated from West Washington High School in 1989. He then studied Tool and Die Making at Vincennes University and earned an associate degree in 1991. He has been employed at Bedford Machine and Tool for the past 29 years as a Tool and Die maker.
Jon is married to Rebecca. They have three children—Julie (Theo), Jordan (Brittany), and Amber. They have four grandchildren—Taylen, Timothy, Teddy, Harmony.
Masonic History:
Past Master of Rob Morris lodge #282
Member of George Rogers Clark Valley of Scottish Rite.
Dual member of Salem and Bedford York Rite bodies
Dual member of Bedford #42 and New Albany #5 Knights Templar
Member of Salem Order of the Eastern Star # 286
Member of Constitutional Elm #471 AMD
Member of Corydon York Rite College #207

Dominic was born in Gary Indiana on June 17th, 1974. Graduated from Gary Roosevelt High School in 1992. Then went to ITT Technical Institute and Graduated with an Associate Degree in Automotive Technology in 1994. He has been in the Automotive industry since. Free time is spent riding his Harley and golfing.

Masonic History: October 28, 2009, Dominic was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Waynedale Lodge #739 in Fort Wayne Indiana. Served as Master of Waynedale Lodge in 2017 and had the pleasure of opening Grand Lodge of the State of Indiana as Master that year in May with the Officers of Waynedale. Served as Eminent Commander of Huntington Commandery #35 in 2020. Currently serving in the Chapter and Council lines in both Fort Wayne and Huntington York Rite. Appointed to the Grand Commandery Line in August 2020.

Joe was born in Danville, Indiana the son of Otis and Martha Sparks.
Joe graduated from Greencastle High School. He later received an Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Technology in 2011 from Ivy Tech Community College.
In 2013 he became an apprentice for Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union #157 out of Terre Haute, Indiana. He is currently a Journeyman fitter/welder.
Joe married his wife, Tracy, in January 2019 at the Crawfordsville Masonic Temple. They have three children, Nathaniel Sparks, Brenan Hall and Theodore Bunch.
Masonic History
Joe’s Masonic history began when he petitioned Alamo Masonic Lodge #144. He received his Entered Apprentice degree on March 26, 2009, his Fellow Craft degree April 30, 2009, and was raised a Master Mason on May 28, 2009. He served as Worshipful Master in 2012 and 2013. He was made an honorary member of Montgomery Lodge #50 July 1, 2019. He petitioned Crawfordsville York Rite and was Exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Crawfordsville Chapter #40 on October 22, 2015. Greeted a Select Master in Montgomery Council #34 on April 2, 2016, and Knighted a Knight Templar in Crawfordsville Commandery #25 on April 2, 2016. He has served as High Priest, Illustrious Master, and Eminent Commander for Crawfordsville York Rite. He now serves as their secretary/recorder. He became a charter member of the Indiana Widows Sons, Outer Guard Chapter of Lafayette, IN in August 2018 and served as President in 2022. He became affiliated with Lawrence V. Kaminsky Commandery of Research on May 28, 2019. He became a member of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America, Banks of the Wabash College #72 on May 18, 2019. He became a member of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Terre Haute on April 27, 2019. He became a member of the Murat Shrine on July 8, 2019, and later a member of the Montgomery Co. Shrine Club. He served as president of Montgomery County Shrine Club in 2024. He became a member of Athens O.E.S Chapter #97 of Crawfordsville on July 11, 2019. On November 30, 2019, he became a member of The Order of the Sword of Bunker Hill, Cumberland Road #122. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Grand Commandery on January 18, 2020. He received the Eminent Commander’s Certificate of Merit Award on April 25, 2020. He was initiated into the Sahara Grotto on March 27, 2021. He was initiated into Thespian Council #492, Allied Masonic Degrees on April 16, 2021and served as Sovereign Master in 2023. He was initiated into Robert A Woods Priory #62, Knight York Cross of Honor on July 25, 2021. He was initiated into Prather Council of Knight Masons #125 on November 6, 2021, as a charter member. He was initiated into Regis Cordis Court #110, The Masonic Order of Athelstan, on November 18, 2021. He was awarded the Gold Award from the York Rite Sovereign College of North America on April 20, 2022. He was initiated into Yeomen of York Preceptory #15 on November 12, 2022. He was initiated into Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest, St Andrews Tabernacle #35 on December 10, 2022. He was initiated into the Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon, Canterbury Chapel #37 as a Charter Member on March 25, 2023. He was initiated into Red Cross of Constantine, St. Basil conclave on June 17th, 2023
Joe was appointed to the Grand Commandery line in April 2019 as Grand Warder by Sir Knight Michael F. Robbins, Right Eminent Grand Commander.

Randy J. Darling was born on May 22, 1967, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He went to Arlington High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has been married for 32 years to Lady Penny, they have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Sir Knight started his Masonic journey in 2013 after completing his military service in the US Army of 28 years. He has been Worship Master of Farmers Lodge #147. He has been Commander, High Priest and Illustrious Master of the Shelby County York Rite and is currently the Treasurer for all three bodies. He is currently the Drill Captain for Baldwin #2 Drill team.

I was born into a Masonic Family; my Father was a Member of Cumberland Lodge #726 and my Sister and Brother were in Job’s Daughters and DeMolay at Cumberland. When I turned 13, I was presented a DeMolay petition and I was Initiated into William Hacker Chapter Order of DeMolay in Shelbyville in 1983. I then proceeded up through the ranks and then served as Master Councilor in 1985 for the first time, I also had the honor of presenting PGM George Tolen with his 50yr DeMolay pin at my installation. I took a little time off from the Masonic Fraternity and then joined Farmers Lodge #147 in 2001 when my lodge was forming a DeMolay Chapter, after joining Lodge I served in my first office of Senior Deacon in 2002. I have been very fortunate to have joined several Masonic Organizations since and have travel supporting them

I met my Lady Dee in 2010 and we were married under the Marvin L. Isley Clock Tower at the Indiana Masonic Home in 2018. Brother Marvin was not only from my Lodge and York Rite, but he was also a family relative of my wife’s and was a great way to start our marriage.

Masonic Memberships:
Farmers Lodge # 147 F & AM, Norristown, IN
Shelby Lodge # 28 F & AM, Shelbyville, IN
Schofield Lodge # 1818, UD, Madison, IN
Naamah Chapter #73, Shelbyville, IN
Union Village Chapter # 584, Providence, IN
Shelby Chapter # 20, Royal Arch Masons, Fairland, IN
Emil L. Steffey Council # 3, Cryptic Masons, Fairland, IN
Baldwin Commandery # 2, Fairland, IN
Lawrence V. Kaminsky Commandery # 500
Scottish Rite Valley of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
St. Bartholomew Council # 295 Allied Masonic Degrees, Columbus, IN
Marvin L. Isley York Rite College # 129, Franklin, IN
Robert A. Woods Priory # 62, Knight York Cross of Honor
St. Andrew Tabernacle XXXV, Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests
Shelby Co. Past Masters and Wardens Club, Shelbyville, IN
Murat Shrine, Oasis of Indianapolis, IN
Shelby County Shrine Club
Johnson County Shrine Club
DeMolay Unit of the Murat Shrine

DeMolay
DeMolay “Dad” Franklin Chapter Order of DeMolay
Senior DeMolay, William Hacker Chapter Order of DeMolay, Shelbyville, IN
Senior Sir Knight Jess K. Willard DeMolay Priory, Greenfield, IN
Recipient of the Chevalier and Active Legion of Honor

Current Masonic Offices held: 2020
Grand Prelate Emeritus Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Indian 2010-2011
Grand Captain General, Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Indiana 2020-2021
Secretary/Recorder of all 3 Shelby County York Rite Bodies
Chapter “Dad” Franklin Chapter Order of DeMolay
Board Member, Shelby County Shrine Club
Assistant Secretary and Tyler Farmers Lodge #147
Special Aide to the Potentate of Murat Shrine, Ill Sir Mark Genung
Personal Aide to Illustrious William B. Raster, Past Potentate

Past Presiding Masonic Offices Held:
Past Master Councilor, Wm. Hacker Chapter
Past Worshipful Master, Farmers Lodge # 147
Past Worthy Patron, Flat Rock Chapter # 473 O.E.S.
Past Eminent Commander, Baldwin Commandery # 2 Knights Templar
Past High Priest, Shelby Chapter #20 Royal Arch Masons
Past Illustrious Master, Emil L. Steffey Council, Cryptic Masons
Past President, Shelby County Past Masters and Wardens Club
Past President, Shelby County Shrine Club
Past Secretary-Treasurer, Murat Shrine DeMolay Unit
Grand Prelate Emeritus Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Indian 2010-2011

Lawrence was born September 1953 to James L. Williams and Joanne C. (LaBarr) Williams in Gary, Indiana. He has three younger brothers, Terry who lives in Hobart, IN, Pat who lives in Crosby, TX, and David who lives Francisville, IN.
In 1973, he married Claire L. Naylor. They have two children, Timothy and Brooke and one granddaughter. Larry graduated from Crown Point High School located in Crown Point, Indiana in 1972. After graduation, he worked at Bethlehem Steel, Burns Harbor Plant on the plant fire department as an Emergency Medical Technician and Firefighter. In November of 1984 his job was contracted out to “Burns International” with whom he worked as a firefighter/EMT until he was re-hired by Bethlehem Steel in May of 1990. While working, he graduated from Indiana Vocational Technical College with an associate degree in Applied Fire Science in 1985.
From 1990 to 1995, he worked various production jobs as a laborer in the Sintering Plant to a Line Inspector in the Cold Mill. From 1995 to 2016 he was employed as a Mechanical Millwright in the 80” Hot Strip Mill. At the time of his retirement, he was employed by “Arcelor Mittal, Burns Harbor Plant” who bought out Bethlehem Steel. He retired in February of 2016. Larry was also member of the Town of Porter, Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years. He served not only as a firefighter but also as State Certified Emergency Medical Technician, Fire Scene Safety Officer, State Certified Training Officer and State Certified Fire Scene Investigator. He was the Deputy Fire Chief when he retired from the Fire Department in 1997.

He petitioned Calumet Lodge #379 located in Chesterton, Indiana for the Degrees of Freemasonry and received his Entered Apprentice in March 2000, his Fellow Craft in April 2000 and was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason in June of 2000, serving as Worshipful Master in 2006. He became of member of the Scottish Rite, South Bend Valley in 2001. He petitioned Michigan City “York Rite Bodies” for Membership in 2004. Serving as Thrice Illustrious Master of Michigan City Council #56 in 2007, Eminent Commander of Michigan City Commandery #30, in 2008 and High Priest in Michigan City Chapter #25 in 2009.

Other Appendant Bodies: Elected to membership in the Yeoman of York Preceptory #1, in 2006 and served as Director General in 2014. A Charter member of Valparaiso “Allied Masonic Degrees, Council #470” in 2009. Served as Sovereign Master in 2011. He was invited to become a member of Knight York Cross of Honor, J. Herbert Nichols Priory #76 in 2010.
He was elected to membership in Northwest Indiana York Rite College #73, in 2008 served as Governor in 2015, receiving the Order of the Purple Cross in Louisville, KY that year. In 2016. In 2013, he was installed a member of St. Basil Conclave Red Cross of Constantine. He became a Charter member of the “Firinne Council #115” of “Knight Masons” located in Chesterton, IN. in 2014, where he served as its first “Excellent Chief”. He was ordained a Knight Priest in Gennesaret Tabernacle XVII in the fall of 2016.

Grand Commandery: He was appointed as a Deputy Battalion Commander for Battalion No. 1 serving from 2007 to 2010, when he was appointed in the Grand Commandery line by Sir Knight James L. Dove, KCT, PGC and has served on numerous committees and as a line officer until being elected as Grand Commander on April 28, 2017 at the One Hundred and Sixty-Third Annual Conclave of this Grand Commandery. He was elected to the Officer of Grand Recorder in 2020.

The Symbolism and Meaning Behind the Design

I have often found it necessary in this journey of life to stand firmly in my faith. I have come to find though, that sometimes standing was not the correct position. In order to stand tall and strong, I needed to be kneeling.

This pin represents a kneeling knight clothed in the Armor of God. As warriors, we must put on the full Armor of God. We put on the belt of Truth to stand firmly in the Word. We put on the breastplate of Righteousness to guard our hearts, remaining pure and holy. We put on the shoes of the Gospel to stand firmly on the good news, bringing peace and light to all. We take up the shield of Faith to extinguish doubt, denial and deceit. We put on the helmet of Salvation to keep our minds focused on the tasks we are given to do and we take up the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God to guide and direct our lives.

Ed Fodrea KCT, GC