Grand Lodge 2012
Rex Moats of Elkhorn was installed Grand Master of Nebraska Masons, Sunday, Feb. 12, at Waterloo Masonic Lodge No. 102.
Included in the installation was a Holy Bible from St. John’s Masonic Lodge No. 1 in New York City, N.Y. George Washington took his first oath of office in 1789 on the Bible as president of the United States.
The Grand Lodge of Nebraska arranged for the Bible to be brought to Elkhorn for the installation, accompanied for protection by three members of St. John’s Lodge. The Bible also was used in the inaugurations of presidents Warren Harding, Dwight Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush.
As Grand Master, Moats leads the Grand Lodge, representing more than 12,000 Master Masons in 143 lodges in 120 Nebraska communities. He is responsible for all decisions regarding Freemasonry in Nebraska during his one-year term of office as chief executive officer.
Moats, a Master Mason since 1987, also is a member of John Mercer Lodge No. 290 in Omaha, and served as Master of Waterloo Lodge in 2006 and 2007. He is a member of the Omaha Valley of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and the Tangier Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine as well as the Nebraska York Rite bodies. Moats was initiated into the National Sojourners in 2010 and is a member of the Joseph Warren Camp Heroes of ’76.
He was worthy patron in 1998, 1999 and 2000 of Luna Chapter No. 169 in Elkhorn of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Moats graduated in 1987 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering Technology, a master’s in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 1991and a juris doctorate from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1993. He is active in several local community organizations including the Western Douglas County Chamber of Commerce, Western Douglas County Rotary (President-2010-2011), Elkhorn Valley View Middle School Parent Teacher Organization (Treasurer-2011-2012), Fire Ridge Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (Walk-a-thon Chairman 2010-2011) and the Elkhorn Youth Sports Association (President). He lives in the Elkhorn area with his wife, Diane and their four children.
Moats’ father, LeRoy Moats, also of Elkhorn, was installed grand tyler. Rex said he was looking forward to serving Nebraska Masons with his father at his side.
Other Grand Lodge officers installed, include: Tom Hauder, Lincoln, deputy grand master; Joe McBride, Ainsworth, grand senior warden; John Maxell, Omaha, grand junior warden; Reginald Kuhn, Lincoln, grand secretary; Don Rife, Stratton, grand chaplain; Bob Moniger, Burwell, grand orator; Chris Carter, Omaha, grand historian; Bruce Watkins, Lincoln, grand custodian; Ron Stites, Papillion, grand marshal; Dennis Rix, Fremont, grand senior deacon; Rick Myers, Fremont, grand junior deacon; John Ferguson, Kimball, grand senior steward; Kevin Lindly, Broken Bow, grand junior steward; and Mark Clinton, Lincoln, grand musician.
In addition, Moats appointed as his personal representatives Brett Bennett, Plattsmouth; Kent Broyhill, Dakota City; Lowell Erickson, Wausa; and Patrick Barger, Lincoln, who participated in the installation through an Internet link from Afghanistan where he is stationed as a member of the military.
The Grand Lodge A.F.&A.M. of Nebraska represents more than 12,000 Master Masons in the state. Freemasonry is a benevolent, educational and charitable fraternity that provides over $2 million a day in charity through the Grand Lodge, local lodges and related organizations. Masonry is the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world, and practices brotherhood, morality, justice, tolerance, citizenship, education and freedom of ideas, religious choice and expression.
Category: News
