DeMolay Legion of Honor awards presented to 13 masons

DeMolay International, 2nd District, invested the Legion of Honor upon thirteen northeastern Ohio masons. The impressive awards ceremony was held at the Cleveland Masonic Center on Saturday evening, September 16th.

Receiving the prestigious Active Legion of Honor were Gary S. Close of Fairview Chapter; Alan L. Close of Fairview Chapter; John J. Cochell, Coer de Lion Chapter; Theodore D. Cutts, Rocky River Chapter; Timothy M. Daley, Denbrook Chapter; David A. Darling, Denbrook Chapter; Richard A. Lazar, Coer de Lion Chapter; David W. Leifer, Willoughby Chapter; and Wayne E. Seaman, Cleveland Chapter. Receiving Honorary Legion of Honor Awards included Thomas C. Anderson, Jeffrey J. Black, Robert J. Draye, and Ronald R. Ebert.

LEGION OF HONOR RECIPIENTS: First row: David A. Darling, Timothy M. Daley, David W. Leifer, Wayne E. Seaman, and Robert J. Draye. Center row: Gary S. Close, John J. Cochell, Richard A. Lazar, and Jeffrey J. Black. Back row: Theodore O. Cutts, Alan L. Close, Thomas C. Anderson, and Ronald R. Ebert,. Congratulations brethren on this DeMolay recognition.

Alan L. Close is a Past Master of Quarry Lodge (1997) and Master of Entrances for Bahurim Council, Princes of Jerusalem in the Valley of Cleveland. He is employed by Cleveland Communication, a Two Way Communications Company in Parma. He is married to Michelle,. The couple have two children, Stephanie, and Matthew. The family is members of the Northern Royalton United Methodist Church.

Gary S. Close is also a member of Quarry Lodge. He was Worshipful Master in 1991 and in 1994. He has been a member of the Valley of Cleveland since 1989. He is employed by Total Discount Solutions , a printing firm, in Middleburg Heights. Gary is married to Sue. They have two children Jason, and Brittany. The family attends church at the Covenant Community United Church of Christ.

John J. Cochell is a two time Past Master of Collinwood Lodge (1990- 1997). He is also a Past High Priest of Mt. Olive Chapter, (1999 & 2000) and a member of Woodward Council and Coer de Lion Commandery. He affiliated with the Valley of Cleveland with the Spring 2000 class. He is a graduate of Community College of the Air Force and is employed by Ortho Concepts, a Bracing Systems for Wheelchairs. He is married to Debora. They reside in Eastlake with their children Megan, John, Kaitlyn, Andrew, William, and Emma. They attend St. Jerome Catholic Church.

Theodore D. Cutts is a Past Master of Rocky River Lodge. He affiliated with the Valley of Cleveland in 1984. He is President of Royal Acme Corporation, a full-service graphics facility. He is a graduate of Cleveland State University with a degree in marketing and is married to Michelle. The couple have a son Trevor. They reside in Olmsted Falls.

Timothy M. Daley is a Past Master of Lake Erie--Roosevelt Lodge. (1994) He is also a four time Past High Priest of Thatcher Chapter (1995-96-98-2000); present Recorder of Forest City Council; and Eminent Commander of Forest City Commandery ( 1997-1998). He affiliated with the Valley of Cleveland in 1990. He is employed by the Cleveland Clerk of Courts where he is Assistant Supervisor, Civil Docketing. Tim is a graduate of Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He is a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church.

David A. Darling is a Past Master (1987 & 1988) of John W. Barkley Lodge. and a member of Corwin-Webb Chapter. He is employed by Gateway Electric, an Electrical Construction firm. He is married to Rhonda. They have a son Scott and attend Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

Richard A. Lazar is a member of Collinwood Lodge. He is Chief Financial Officer of Roll-Kraft and Tube Mill Rolls Company in Mentor. He is a resident of Chardon. He is also a member of Western Reserve Chapter, O.E.S. Richard is a graduate of Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. He has a son Brad.

David W. Leifer is Worshipful Master of Willoughby Lodge (2000). He is also a Past High Priest of Willoughby Chapter (1991), a Past Illustrious Master of Painesville Council,(1994) and a Past Eminent Commander of Eagle Commandery (1998) .He affiliated with the Valley of Cleveland in 1988 and is presently Jr. Warden of Ariel Chapter, Rose Croix. Leifer is employed by The Case Western Reserve /University Hospitals as a Medical Researcher Associate. His education includes Muskingum College, Mayo Clinic, Medical College of Ohio, and Case/Western Reserve University. He resides in Mentor and is a member of the Mentor United Methodist Church.

Wayne E. Seaman, a resident of Wickliffe, is a Past Master of Collinwood Lodge (1994), and is presently Principal Sojourner of Mt. Olive Chapter. He is employed by Ameritech-Ohio-SBC as a repairman and installer of telephone and data lines He affiliated with the Valley of Cleveland recently, and is Dad Advisor of Euclid City Chapter, Order of DeMolay. He is also a Past Worthy Patron of Western Reserve Chapter, O.E.S. (1988 & 1999). He is married to Sandy. They are the parents of Todd, Melinda, Kristi, and Kimberly. They are members of the United Church of Christ.

Thomas C. Anderson is a Past Master of Temple Lodge (1997), and presently Sentinel of Painesville Council. He is also a member of Painesville Chapter and Eagle Commandery in Painesville. He is a retired Radio Dispatcher for the Ohio State Patrol in Chardon. He affiliated with the Scottish Rite in 1988 and is now Senior Warden of Bahurim Council Princes of Jerusalem.He is married to Shirley and are the parents of a son Dennis. Tom and Shirley attend the Painesville Church of the Brethren.

Jeffrey J. Black of North Royalton, is member of Ellbrook Lodge, Corwin-Webb Chapter, Forest City Council, and Forest City Commandery. He is a graduate of Ashland University and is employed by the Aurora City School System as a teacher. He affiliated with the Valley of Cleveland in 1988 and served as Commander-in-Chief of Lake Consistory in 1998-2000.Jeff and his wife Janet are the parents of Jennifer and Jason. They are members of Parma South Presbyterian Church.

Robert J. Draye of Mayfield Heights, is a Past Master of Lyndhurst Lodge (1988), a Past High Priest of Heights Chapter (1990), a Past Illustrious Master of Windermere Council (1992), and Eminent Commander of Coeur de Lion Commandery. He affiliated with the Valley of Cleveland in 1981 and is presently Master of Ceremonies of Bahurim Council, Princes of Jerusalem. He is retired from the Cleveland Heights/University Heights School System where he was supervisor of Building Operations. He is married to Paula. They have a son Robert. The Drayes attend South Euclid-Hillcrest United Methodist Church.

Ronald R. Ebert of Brunswick is a Past Master of Harding-Concordia Lodge (1982), a Past High Priest of Corwin-Webb Chapter 1977), Past Illustrious Master of Forest City Council (1988), and Eminent Commander of Forest City Commandery (2000). He is the Grand Commander of The Grand Commandery of Ohio and a KYCH. He affiliated with the Valley of Cleveland in 1974 and is 1st Lieutenant Commander of Lake Erie Consistory. He is employed by Ronlen Inc., a Progressive Dies and Metal Stampings Company in Brunswick as a Quality Assurance Manager. Ron is married to Donna. They have three sons, Dale, Keith, and Brian. Congratulations brethren.