Knights Templar Chapel
In Memoriam
To All Departed Sir Knights

In Memoriam

Robert James Allen
Right Eminent Past Grand Commander (1988 -1989)
Massachessets and Rhode Island

It is with great sadness that I must announce that Sir Knight Robert James Allen has
received his eternal reward and left that which was mortal behind.
Sir Knight Allen was dubbed and created a member of the Valient and Magnanimous
Order of the Temple in Calvary Commandery on March 27, 1971. He served as the
Eminent Commander of Calvary from 1977 to 1978. He was appointed into the Grand
Commandery and served through all stations until he was elected and installed as our
Right Eminent Grand Commander in 1988. Sir Knight Allen is also a Knight Commander
of the Temple.
Sir Knight Allen was a worker until the end and defined him in his life of service. You
would see him almost everywhere you would go in Rhode Island and at many functions
in Massachusetts. He would assist and give guidance to anyone who asked and was a
resource of immense knowledge. He was our most senior Past Grand Commander and
a mentor to many who came through that office.
Outside of Templary, Sir Knight Allen served his other masonic bodies and other
organizations with the same level of dedication and distinction. He served as the Most
Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons from 1986 to

1987. He went on to serve as the Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of
Royal and Select Masters from 1982 to 1983. Robert went on to serve as The Most
Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations from 2002 to 2003. He was a
masonic “Four Star General” meaning he had been the head of all four Grand York Rite
Bodies. He was also extremely involved in many of the other bodies of masonry and
held various leadership positions within those as well.
His service was seen throughout everything he did and his care for the community and
humanity especially. Through his efforts the Medical Equipment Center was started,
which he was still working at up until recently. Due to his continuous efforts with this
important program, the Center was named after him to honor his service and
commitment.
He was a true giant among men and a friend to many. He will be missed dearly. His life
work is done, and his eternal reward is now his. Until we meet again.

Sir Knight Allen passed away on April 1 st 2024 at the age of 90 years.

S K James M. Ward
M:. E:. PAST & SENIOR
GRAND MASTER
1997-2000
Past Away March 23, 2024
Water Valley, MS
Visitation March 28, 2024
12:00 to 2:00 pm;
Funeral Mar 28, 2024
at 2:00 to 3:00 pm
BIO
FUNERAL HOME

Sir Knight James Morris Ward was born on August 10, 1930, in Dyersburg, Tennessee. The son of Thomas Henry and Lucile Bell Ward, he obtained his early education in the public schools of Dyersburg, graduating from high school in 1948. He attended the University of Mississippi and later the University Center in Jackson where he completed courses in business administration, mathematics, and engineering. In 1965 and 1966 he completed studies in the fields of mathematics, electronics, and economics at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.

Sir Knight Ward was employed in 1955 by the Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company (South Central Bell) as a lineman located in Jackson, TN. He worked on this and other jobs of increasing responsibility throughout west Tennessee until he was transferred to the engineering department in Jackson, MS, in 1961. At the time of his retirement in 1991, he was manager of district construction operations in Jackson, Mississippi.

He was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a professional engineering society.

His hobbies were reading, hunting, fishing, and piddlin’ with wood. He enjoyed almost all sports, especially football and baseball. Jim was a member and actively participated in the activities of Bethel Baptist Church where he served as an active deacon.

Masonically, Sir Knight Ward was Raised in Pearl Lodge No. 23, Jackson, Mississippi, on August 25, 1967.

He served as Master in 1971 and then as Secretary. In 1979, he was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi. He was also a past presiding officer of his Chapter, Council and Commandery and served as Secretary/Recorder of those York Rite bodies. He was Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of’R.A.M. of Mississippi, in 1985; Grand Master of the Grand Council of R. & S.M. of Mississippi, in 1986; and Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Mississippi, in 1982. He received the Knight Commander of the Temple and Knight Grand Cross of the Temple from the Grand Encampment.

He was elected Grand Sovereign of the United Grand Imperial Council, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine in June 1994, and is a past presiding officer of the following: the Grand College of America, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, 2000; the Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees, 1995-96; and the Grand College of Rites, 1993. He was a member and past presiding officer of Mississippi Priory No. 36, KYCH and Mississippi York Rite College No. 83. He was a member of Tara Council No. 29, Knight Masons; Mississippi College, SRICF; Royal Order of Scotland; and the Order of the Eastern Star. An active member of the International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay, and a recipient of the Honorary Legion of Honor. He was a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Jackson, Mississippi, Southern Jurisdiction, and was invested with the rank and dignity of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour, and Coroneted a 33°, Inspector General Honorary. He served as presiding officer of all four bodies in the Valley of Jackson.

Sir Knight Ward served as Department Commander, Southeastern Department, 1982-85. He was elected Grand Captain General, August 9, 1988, at Lexington, Kentucky. He was elected Grand Generalissimo on August 20, 1991, at Washington, D.C. He was elected Deputy Grand Master on August 16, 1994, at Denver, Colorado. He was elected Grand Master of the Grand Encampment on August 12, 1997, and installed on August 13, 1997, in St. Louis, Missouri. He became a Most Eminent Past Grand Master at the 61 Triennial Conclave in Nashville, Tennessee, in August, 2000.

Sir Knight Ward laid down his sword and entered the Supreme Asylum above on Monday, March 25, 2024.
Reference: The Grand Lodge of Mississippi F∴ & A∴ M∴  (msgrandlodge.org)

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