High Twelve Club 720 installs President Parker

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James B. Parker IV

YOUNGSTOWN

Temple on the Hill High Twelve Club 720 installed James B. Parker IV as president during its 12th annual installation ceremony Sept. 9 at the Masonic Temple on Wick Avenue.

Parker, the international’s second vice president, belongs to many High Twelve Clubs in Ohio and has helped to get many clubs started.

Born in Cincinnati in 1942, Parker attended the University of Cincinnati and after serving in the military earned a degree in electronic engineering. His extensive postgraduate studies have encompassed human resource development and product quality advancements. He is also a registered parliamentarian.

He retired from General Motors, last working in the quality department, after 43 years of teaching and project engineering. While at GM, he won the corporation the most distinguished volunteer award. Before GM, he taught post-high school electronic engineering, calculus and report writing.

In the public sector, Parker served Youngstown City Council, co-founded the Northside Citizens Coalition, served as former vice president and assistant council commissioner of the Mahoning Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America, and was CEO and board president of Associated Neighborhood Centers, now hosting six centers in Youngstown’s toughest neighborhoods.

He was chapter adviser of Youngstown DeMolay for more than 20 years, which he says was his favorite Masonic assignment. He also served DeMolay as state director of educational services and state director of youth protection, first bringing Youth Protection to the Mahoning Valley Council BSA.

His Masonic record includes: Past Most Illustrious Grand Master Royal and Select Masons in Ohio (2006-07), a Knight York Grand Cross of Honor and Order of the Purple Cross, recipient of the council’s Illustrious Master of the Year and the lodge’s Outstanding Member of the Year, first in Western Star 21, then this year in Poland Lodge 766, where he is the secretary. He has served as Thrice Potent Master Hiram Lodge of Perfection of the Valley of Youngstown. He is on the escorts and membership committee, Past Master Wick Lodge 481 F&AM, Past High Priest Youngstown Chapter 93 Royal Arch Masons, Past Illustrious Master Buechner Council 107 Royal and Select Masons, Past Commander Twice of Niles Commandery 79 Knights Templar, Past Right Worshipful Master of the senior DeMolay Mark Master Lodge, Past Grand Commander of the Mark Alan Loose Court of Chevaliers and Ohio State Court of Chevaliers; Prior of Cleveland 113 York Rite Sovereign College of North America, Trowelers Order of Merit past chaplain, officer in Cleveland Forest Tall Cedars of Lebanon, officer of Killarney Council 76 Knight Masons of Ireland, Past Warder and kitchen pan lifter of Miriam Chapter Order of Eastern Star and state president of the Ohio Association of High Twelve Clubs.

Other Masonic memberships are Holyrood Conclave Red Cross of Constantine, Royal Order of Scotland, Secretary’s Association of Ohio F&AM, York Rite Secretaries and Recorders Association, Jacques DeMolay Council 371 Allied Masonic Degrees, Leroy F. Shanower Council 149 Allied Masonic Degrees, St. John’s Commandery 20 Knights Templar, Warren Commandery 39 Knights Templar. He was on the award-winning drill team nearly 11 years, and is affiliated with White Shrine, Past Grand Cur K-9 1, and Aut Mori Grotto. Numerous honorary memberships have been bestowed on him.

He also is a member of The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, a non-Masonic organization.

Parker and his wife, Elizabeth, reside in Canfield.

Other officers installed follow:

Thomas Jacobs, first vice president.

James Sekinger, second vice president.

Ray Huish, third vice president.

August A. Angel, secretary.

Howard C. Bodine, treasurer.

Timothy Johnson, chaplain.

Sterling Jamison, sergeant at arms.

Jacobs (chairman), Johnson and Clarence E. Shawver II, trustees.

T.J. Perren was Wolcott chairman; Johnson, program chairman; Jacobs, publicity chairman; and Parker, Masonic representative and historian. Vocalist was Wanda Sekinger.