Master Craftsman Program

Master Craftsman from Kurt on Vimeo.

Honors Banquet

The Tapestry Lounge was the scene for the festive Honors Banquet at the Des Moines Scottish Rite. Members who have been honored with the KCCH or the 33 degree met together to renew their committment to the Socttish Rite,
The newly formed Knights of St. Andrew worked the dinner as hosts and to generally help keep things moving smoothly. They performed Yeoman's service and are going to be a real asset to the Temple.







The very impressive Chain of Union completed the evening. You can see the rest of the pictures at this link. Click here.

The Last Degree

In Loving Memory
George R. Carr, 33° G.C

August 1, 1922 - August 12, 2008

Pastor Ramon Runkel of St. John's Lutheran Church described George as his primary Mentor and Friend. He said that George at the bottom had a deep respect and love for you as a person. He did.

He was described at the Masonic Celebration of his life in the same way with the addition of the word Brother. That was George. We will carry him with us in our hearts. His "Last Degree" was flawless. George would probably have told us that we should have said less and laughed more. But it was a wonderful tribute to a man and a Brother who we should all emulate.

A Scots Farewell

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no tears in a gloom-filed room
Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little but not for long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that we once shared.

Miss me -- but let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take
And each must go alone.
It's all a part of the master plan
A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart
Go the the friend we know
And bury you sorrows in doing good deads

Miss me -- but let me go.

Gary Sissel 33° also described George as a mentor. He added the words "wise teacher."

Nothing more needs to be said. Godspeed, George - We're glad we knew ya!

George R. Carr, 33° G.C. - Services

Des Moines Scottish Rite Consistory

William L. Knoll 33°

519 Park Street ▪ Des Moines, Iowa 50309

Phone: 515-288-8927 ▪ Web: www.dmscottishrite.org




Funeral arrangements of our friend and Brother George R. Carr, 33° G.C. have been set for Friday, August 22, 2008.

The Christian Services will be at St. John’s Lutheran Church, (600 6th Ave, Des Moines) at 1:00 pm. There will be a church reception following the service at St. John’s.

The Masonic services will be at the Des Moines Scottish Rite Masonic Center (519 Park Street) at 3:30 pm. Following the Masonic service, there will be social held in George’s honor.

George was very active in a number of Masonic organizations. He was a 50 year Member and Past Master of Capital Lodge #110 (1958 & 2003) having served as lodge Secretary for over 25 years. He was also a member of Daylight Lodge #660 and served as Master in 1998. George served the Grand Lodge of Iowa as a committeeman.

He was a former Secretary/Registrar and Personal Representative of the Des Moines Scottish Rite bodies. For Scottish Rite in Iowa, George served as the Orient Personal Representative and Secretary of the Iowa Scottish Rite Masonic Foundation. He was coroneted a 33° Inspector General Honorary in 1985. George was further honored by the Supreme Council with the Grand Cross in 2005. At the time of his passing George was one of two Grand Cross members in Iowa.

George also belonged to the Des Moines York Rite Bodies and the Red Cross of Constantine serving as Sovereign in 2007. He was a member Za Ga Zig Shrine and The Royal Order of Jesters. George was a member of the DeMolay Legion of Honor and the Royal Order of Scotland.

George passed away on August 12, 2008. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him. His family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church or the Iowa Scottish Rite Masonic Foundation. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family. Expressions of care and concern can be sent to George R. Carr Jr. 5669 College Place, Boulder CO 80303.

George Carr 33° G.C. August 1, 1922 - August 12, 2008

George Carr died this morning after a long struggle with cancer.

I think that you can describe George as the "Grand Old Man of Masonry" - I first met George when he was the Secretary-Registrar of the Des Moines Consistory. He was just a person you liked. And you liked him because he liked you. He was a very, very special person and you really can't say too much good about him. He always was ready with a smile and he was glad to see everyone. George and I worked together in the Red Cross of Constantine. He was the Sovereign and I was the Recorder. He had a good term and I enjoyed working with/for him. The last time I had a really nice conversation with George we sat in his office. He worked for the Scottish Rite Foundation right up until he could no longer handle it. I will always remember those conversations. There was a lot of wisdom to be gained sitting at his feet. I am grateful to Masonry because I have been able to meet men like George.

Everyone is going to miss George. I know I will. The Scottish Rite will be a little bit darker with his passing. But I know that at this moment the Grand Architect of the Universe is welcoming him into the Grand Lodge above with those welcome words. "Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of thy Lord." And I also am pretty sure that the Great Healer will clasp his hand with the Lion's Paw and whisper the Word of healing and take away the pain and suffering. Rest in Peace my friend. You are already missed.

Jay Cole Simser

There is another tribute by Kurt Hoffmann to George here.
Timothy Bonneyhas a tribute here.
George had a profound effect on us all. As Kurt says:

"Rest well, Brother George. Spes Mea in Deo Est".

Reminder

Nineteenth Degree - Grand Pontiff
On August 13 there will be a reading of the Nineteenth Degee in the Symbolic Lodge Room beginning at 7:00 PM (The parking lot will be open at 6:30)