Meet the Master of Kadosh

The Des Moines Consistory installed John W. Clearman as Master of Kadosh on December 14, 2011. John was born and raised in Des Moines graduating from Valley High School in 1976. When he was only seventeen years old, John earned his private pilot’s license with an instrument rating, and at nineteen he earned his commercial pilot’s license. As a student at Drake University, John purchased a convenience store in Des Moines. He has been in sales his entire life, starting out helping his father with his small businesses.

John was raised to the Degree of a Master Mason in Home Lodge #370 on May 3, 1990 and he served as Master of Home Lodge in 1995. He is a member of the York Rite, serving as Grand Master of the Grand Council, Royal and Select Masters of Iowa (2003-2004), and a member of the Shrine. John has also earned his Masonic Instructor certificate from the Grand Lodge of Iowa. “The challenge of learning and delivering ritual with meaning was a driving force for me,” John says.

Freemasonry runs in John’s family. Both his paternal and maternal grandfathers were Freemasons and John recalls that as a child, he and the rest of the grandkids eyed a Masonic sword kept on his grandfather’s wall. All of the kids wanted to play with the sword of course, but they had to satisfy themselves with merely looking at it. John remembers that his grandfather promised the sword to the first grandson to become a Mason. Needless to say, John was not only the first but he was also knighted with that same sword; it is now mounted on the wall of his study at home!

John and his companion Kolette Barnhart live near White Oak Vineyards outside of Cambridge. Kolette is a Neonatal Intensive Care nurse in Ames. Their children and grandchildren keep them busy, and two more grandkids are on the way! John enjoys playing golf and woodworking when he’s not spending time with his grandkids.

John’s vision for the Des Moines Consistory is to continue the strong work of his predecessors. He is excited about a new member enrollment program which will begin with an event in just a month or so. The program is aimed at helping new Scottish Rite members build relationships with current members to encourage involvement and develop a sense of attachment and enthusiasm. There are many opportunities for new members to become involved, but for some, such a large organization can be intimidating. John’s vision is for this new program to provide assistance in connecting new Scottish Rite Masons to all of the activities and traditions of the Des Moines Valley.

Congratulations to the Des Moines Consistory Master of Kadosh, John W. Clerarman, 33°!
(M.A.M.)