Scottish Rite Express

Valley of Des Moines ---------------------------------- Orient of Iowa February 23, 2016   Announcing the passing of        Brother Cecil H. Brewton, Jr., 32° KCCH

I regret to inform the members of the Des Moines Valley of the passing of Cecil H. Brewton, Jr., 90, on February 17, 2016 in Des Moines. Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 19, 2016 at Corinthian Baptist Church, 814 School Street in Des Moines. Cecil attended public schools in Iowa City, Mason City, and Des Moines and graduated from North High School in 1944. He then attended the University of Iowa in 1944, 46-48 at Drake University receiving a BSE and MSE degree. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, he worked with the youth and was an usher. Cecil played in the Greater Des Moines Band, The all Iowa Veterans Military Band, Vic Anderson's Big Band, and The Windjammers. He served in the US Army from 1944-1946 during World War II in the South Pacific. He was an inactive member of Kappa Alpha Psi and was inducted into the North High Alumni Hall of Fame on September 16, 1993. On December 11, 1989 Cecil married Bobbretta M. Williams. Cecil was employed as a laborer, life guard, pool manager, and supervisor of ice skating rinks from 1946-1971. He taught swimming for the Red Cross for 25 years. Cecil was employed by the Des Moines Independent Community School District from 1969-1988 and held the following positions home school worker, Dean of Students, Counselor, and Vice Principal. During that time he coached track, swimming, tennis, and football. Cecil retired from the District in 1988 and went to work at Grand View College as an adjunct in the Education Department, and taught African American Studies at East High School from 1995-1996. Cecil became a Master Mason in Capital Lodge #110 in December of 2003, serving as Master twice.  He became a Master of the Royal Secret (32°) on April 17, 2004.  He was active as a Class Marshal and in the 22nd degree.  He was a member of the Knights of St. Andrew and had completed the Master Craftsman course.  Cecil was invested with the Knight Commander of the Court of Honour on November 19, 2009.  Cecil leaves his loving wife, Bobbretta; and his six adult children, Cecil H. Brewton III of Des Moines, Charles G. Brewton of Lubbock, Texas, and Joyce R. Brewton/Taylor of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Frederick E. Brewton, William C. Brewton, Janine Kay Minter of Des Moines, Iowa, and Ayana Vigil Williams; and 12 grandchildren; and several other family members and friends. Sincerely and Fraternally, Shane A. Harshbarger Secretary/Registrar - Des Moines Scottish Rite