Most Excellent Past Grand High Priest (2019 – 2020)
Companion Randy L Vawter was born in 1959 in Canton, Illinois. He attended Illinois Central College in East Peoria, Illinois and Western Illinois University at Macomb.
Randy has two daughters (Kathryn Marie Lavin and Kimberly Renee Vawter) one grand daughter (Colie Peters), and one grand son (Cohen Lavin)!
Companion Vawter was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in June 2000 at Morning Star Lodge No. 734 of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Illinois in Canton, Il. Companion Vawter served as Worshipful Master of his lodge in 2004 and 2010. He is also a member of Cathedral Lodge No. 1179 in Peoria, Illinois. He is an honorary member of Farmington Lodge No. 192 and Cuba Lodge No. 534.
Companion Vawter was advanced to the degree of Mark Master on April 28, 2001 and exalted to the supreme degree of Holy Royal Arch Mason the same day at Eureka Chapter No. 98 in Yates City, Illinois. He served as the Excellent High Priest in 2003. Eureka Chapter No. 98 moved to Canton, Illinois in June of 2013. Companion Vawter is also a member of Warren Chapter No. 30 in Monmouth, Illinois where he currently serves as the Excellent High Priest. He is a member of Pekin Chapter No. 25 in Pekin, Illinois. In 2013 and 2014 Companion Vawter served as the District Deputy Grand High Priest for the 4th District East. Randy obtained his 1st Level Ritual Certification in May of 2014 from the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of Illinois.
Companion Vawter was greeted as a Select Master in 2002 at Illinois Council No. 1 of Cryptic Masons in Knoxville, Illinois. He is also a member of Pekin Council No. 23 in Pekin, Illinois. Randy was dubbed and created a Knight of the Valiant and Magnanimous Order of the Temple in 2003 at Peoria Commandery No. 3 in Peoria Heights, Illinois. He also belongs to Galesburg Commandery No. 8 in Monmouth, Illinois.
Brother Vawter was created a 32 degree Scottish Rite Freemason and Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in 2001 in the Valley of Peoria, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite where he was elected as his class president.
Brother Vawter joined the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm in 2005 at the Abbas Grotto In East Peoria, Illinois., the Central Illinois York Rite College No. 42 in 2004 and a member of the Red Cross of Constantine, St. Helena Conclave in Peoria, Illinois.
Randy was created a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in Mohammed Shrine in 2013 at Bartonville, Illinois. Other Masonic memberships include the Universal Craftsman Council of Engineers of Peoria, Il, the Order of the Swords of Bunker Hill, John Pershing No. 24 Peoria, Il, and the Earl of Torell Council No. 24 of Knight Masons at Springfield, Il
After a twenty four year career in a private water utility business Companion Vawter changed career fields and is employed as a supervisor/analyst/auditor for Caterpillar, Inc. since 2001.