News

The Brother President

Gerald R. Ford, the nation's 38th president, died at his desert home at Rancho Mirage, California on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at the age of 93. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth "Betty" Ford, their three sons Michael, John and Steven, and a daughter, Susan. "His life was filled with love of God, his family and his country," his wife, Betty, said in a statement shortly after his death.

Ford was born on July 14, 1913 as Leslie L. King, Jr. He was later adopted and took the name of his mother's second husband who was also a Mason.  He was sworn in as president on August 9, 1974 following the resignation of President Richard Nixon.

Ford received the degrees of Masonry in Malta Lodge No. 405, Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was the 1974 recipient of the New York Grand Lodge Distinguished Achievement Award. Brother Ford was the most recent Freemason to serve as president.

Bro. Gerald r. ford

1913 - 2006

Entered: Sept. 30, 1949

Malta Lodge No. 465 in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Passed: May 18, 1951

Raised: May 18, 1951

Columbia Lodge No. 3, District of Columbia, conferred the degrees of Fellowcraft and Master Mason on Brother Ford as a courtesy to

 Malta Lodge on May 18, 1951.  Brother Ford's adopted  father, Gerald R. Sr., a 33rd degree Mason presented the lambskin apron.
 

Br. Ford received the Scottish Rite degrees in the Valley of Grand Rapids in 1957 and created a

Sovereign Grand Inspector General Honorary 33rd degrees, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, in 1962.

   This is the highest honor that can come to an honorary member of the Northern Supreme Council of the A.A.S.R.

Joined Saladin Shrine Temple, A.A.O.N.M.A.S. in 1959.

Member of Court No. 11, Royal Order of Jesters.

Honorary Member, DeMolay Legion of Honor.

Br. Ford's first services to Freemasonry came when he was selected for the Eastern Team

 in the Shriner's East West Crippled Children game at San Francisco, January 1, 1935.