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Past master of Etowah Lodge elected Master of Grand Council
Position is to oversee grand councils all over Georgia
Wayne H. Garrett pic
Etowah Masonic Lodge No. 222 member Wayne Garrett is joined by his wife of 52 years, Louise, at a reception in his honor, May 18. Garrett, who has been a member of the Dawson County Masonic Lodge for 30 years now, was elected into the position of Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters Grand York Rite Bodies in Georgia. - photo by Submitted

Former Master of Etowah Masonic Lodge No. 222 Wayne Garrett was elected and elevated to the office of Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters Grand York Rite Bodies in Georgia May 5.

 

“My job is to travel all over the state of Georgia, and out of state, to visit other grand councils. There are about 5,000 councils of masons in Georgia, so it’s my job to over see all that,” said Garrett

 

Garrett said he was humbled in accepting the position.

 

“It took me about five or six years to get where I’m at now,” said Garrett, who has been a member of Etowah Lodge No. 222 for 30 years.

 

“I got my entry apprentice first degree in 1978,” he added.

 

Garrett said he is proud of the charity work he has done with his fellow lodge members over the past three decades.

 

“They’ve accomplished a bunch. We have a Masonic Home in Georgia that we contribute to with about 30 kids in the orphanage down there. We house, feed, clothe and school those children. We even send them to trade school or college if they want to go,” said the Hall County resident who was born and raised in Dawson County. Garrett lived much of his life on Lula Garrett Road, which was named after his mother.

 

“It makes you proud that you’re able to do something to help them (the children). When I was master of my lodge in 1982, we had all of our orphanage boys up here on Amicalola River for about three days; camping out, fishing and all that. We did that for a couple of years and it was very enjoyable. You just get to be buddies with them and care about where they go in life,” said Garrett, who before retirement, worked at Lockheed in Marietta for 29 years.

 

Garrett has been married to his wife Louise for 52 years and has two daughters and two grandchildren.

 

He said her has enjoyed his time in the Freemasons and hopes to continue to serve with honor and integrity.

 

“I enjoy Masonry. It’s fellowship more than anything. Unlike family, you can choose your brothers in Masonry. It don’t take but about one person to keep you out of it. It’s something that I’m proud of and proud to be a part of,” said Garrett.

 

Garrett will hold the office of Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters until the next Grand York Rite Annual Meeting next May. That meeting will be held in Macon.

 

E-mail Adam C. Stapleton at adam@dawsonnews.com.