Grand Yeoman of York Officers

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Photo of Paul W Friend

Paul W Friend

Grand Recorder

Biography

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY

Born June 14, 1943, the eighth child of Arthur and Berniece Friend on a farm in Auburn, IN. Graduated as Valedictorian from Riverdale High School (St. Joe, IN) in 1961. Continued schooling at Purdue University with a BS in Agriculture Education and MS in Extension Education. Married Inger Gardin in 1967 and have 2 sons and 1 daughter – now with 7 grandchildren. Worked for 32 years for Purdue University as an Extension Educator in Jasper County (Rensselaer) and Steuben County (Angola). Received National Distinguished Service Award from National Agriculture Association in 1996. Retired in 1999 from Purdue University. Have been active in the community serving as President of Angola Kiwanis Club, member of the Steuben County Planning and Zoning Board for 25 years, 4-H Fair Board and volunteer, Board member of Steuben County Dairy Association and Pork Producer organizations and a frequent blood donator to American Red Cross (12 gallons).

BLUE LODGE RECORD

  • September 30, 1975 – Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Angola Lodge #236
  • 1979 – Worshipful Master of Angola Lodge #236
  • Treasurer of Angola Lodge #236: 18 years
  • 10+ years of doing the Masonic Memorial Service for several counties
  • 2006 – Recipient of Blue Lodge Ritualist Award – Senior Ritualist
  • Originator and Co-Chairman of Northeast Indiana “Meet and Greet” membership program
  • Communications: Send Masonic newsletter to 250+ Masonic members monthly for 10 years

YORK RITE RECORD – LIFE MEMBER

  • Joined Angola York Rite in 1975 (In my brother’s (Donald Friend) York Rite Class)
  • Grand Commander Knights Templar of Indiana 1988-89
  • 1980, 1995, 1998, 2001 – Eminent Commander of Angola Commandery #45
  • 1980, 1981, 1992, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010 – High Priest of Angola Chapter #58
  • 1981, 1982, 1983, 2005 – Illustrious Master of Angola Council #27
  • 1982 – Distinguished Service Award from Indiana Grand Commandery
  • 1982 – Illustrious Master of the Year Award from Indiana Grand Council
  • 1984 – Appointed Grand Representative to the Grand Commandery of New York
  • 1986 – Charter member of Indiana Past Commanders Association
  • 1997 – Grand Encampment Membership Award
  • 1998 – Recipient of Knight Commander of the Temple (KCT) from Grand Encampment
  • 2008 – Recipient of General Grand Chapter Ritual Award (Presided as High Priest in all 4 Chapter degrees)
  • Recipient of Green and White lanyard cord signifying bringing in 55 York Rite members
  • Honorary Member of the Grand Commandery of Kentucky, West Virginia, Michigan and Ohio
  • Honorary Memberships in Goshen #50, Muncie #18
  • Membership Chairman of several Tri-State Festivals and Grand Master York Rite Classes

YORK RITE SOVEREIGN COLLEGE

  • 1985 – Joined Indiana York Rite Sovereign College #55
    • Served as Governor in 1991-92
  • 1989 – Received York Rite Order of the Purple Cross (July 29, 1989)

KNIGHTS OF THE YORK CROSS OF HONOR (KYCH)

  • 1982 – Joined KYCH – Indiana Priory #8 (May 8, 1982)
  • 1988 – Knight York Grand Cross of Honour (May 31, 1988) No. 944

ROYAL ORDER OF SCOTLAND

  • 1988 – Joined Royal Order of Scotland (September 28, 1988)

ST BASIL CONCLAVE – RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE

  • 1988 – Joined Red Cross of Constantine – St. Basil Conclave, Lafayette

HOLY ROYAL ARCH KNIGHTS TEMPLAR PRIEST

  • 1988 – Joined Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests Gennesaret Tabernacle No. XVI

ALLIED MASONIC DEGREES

  • Pokagon Council #147 member – Joined in 1982 – Sovereign Master in 1988

YEOMEN OF YORK  –  ANGOLA PRECEPTORY #2

  • 1995 – Charter member Angola Yeomen of York Preceptory #2 Chartered March 4, 1995
    • Served as Director General 1999
    • Served as Recorder 1995 – 2014
  • Member of Columbia Missouri Yeomen of York Preceptory

GRAND PERCEPTORY YEOMEN OF YORK OF INDIANA

  • Charter Member of Grand Preceptory – Chartered September 28, 1997
    • 2004-2006 – Grand Director General – Grand Preceptory Yeomen of York of Indiana
    • 2014- Present – Grand Recorder – Grand Preceptory Yeomen of York of Indiana

SCOTTISH RITE – LIFE MEMBER

  • Scottish Rite – Joined November 12, 1977, Ft. Wayne Valley
    • Served as Officer of Emanuel Chapter Rose Croix line 2002-2012
    • Served as Most Wise Master Emanuel Chapter Rose Croix 2010-2012
  • Coroneted Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, 33rd, on August 20, 2013 in Washington DC
  • Knight of St. Andrew

MIZPAH SHRINE

  • Joined Mizpah Shrine (Ft. Wayne, IN) – December 4, 2005
    • President of Pokagon Shrine Club (Steuben County) – 2013

EASTERN STAR

  • Eastern Star Angola Chapter #78 – Joined January 10, 1977
    • Served as Worthy Patron in 1999, 2000, 2001
  • Angola Chapter dissolved – transferred membership to Ashley Chapter #229