A. Douglas Smith, Jr., Lodge of Research No. 1949 A.F. & A.M. of Virginia March 31, 2007 [BACK]

Rt. Wor. David Lee Hargett, Jr., a personal friend of J. Ray Shute, II presented a very informative paper on the life of that most unusual Mason during our March 31 Communication. J. Raymond Shute II was one of the great American Masonic innovators. Born in Monroe, NC in 1904, he became a Mason at age 21. He was the responsible for the formation of at least 8 Masonic organizations, 7 of which are still thriving and successful today. In 1931, he formed the NC Lodge of Research, the first American lodge devoted to Masonic history (it closed in 1953). And in 1932 he formed the Grand College of Rites and the Society of Blue Friars. He also formed the KYCH (1930), HRAKTP (1931), AMD (1932), CBCS (1934), and Knight Masons (1936). Unfortunately his passion for Freemasonry had faded by the late 1930s, and in 1950 he resigned from Masonry. After a 36 year absence, he re-affiliated with his lodge in 1986 and died 2 years later, a Master Mason. Shute possessed great organizational skills and all but one of the groups he formed during the Great Depression has survived.