Page 43 - PGM Compendium

of DeMolay, in 1959 and served as its Master Councilor in 1962. He also served as Oregon State Master
Councilor in 1964. Charles was awarded the Chevalier Degree, Cross of Honor, and the Active Legion of
Honor by the Order of DeMolay. He served as Chapter Advisor in both Portland, Oregon, and Danville,
Illinois, while living in those cities.
Charles was raised a Master Mason Degree in 1966 in Mary’s River Lodge, No.211, in Corvallis. He is
currently a member of Ashler Lodge, No.121 in Bothell, and served as its Master in 1966. He is also a
member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Everett and in the Valley of Danville, Illinois. In addition, he is
also a member of York Rite Bodies and the Nile Shrine in Seattle. Presently, he serves the Grand Lodge
as Chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee.

His journey to the Grand East started in 1998-99 as a member of the Grand Lodge Membership Cultivation
and Retention Committee, and as its chairman in 1999-2000. He was Deputy of the Grand Master in
District 32 in 2000-2002. He served as Chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee in 2002-2004.
He was elected Senior Grand Warden in June 2004, when two positions needed to be filled with the
resignation of the then-Junior Grand Warden for health reasons. He was installed as Grand Master at the
Grand Lodge Annual Communication in 2006 at Ocean Shores, Washington.

At his installation, Most Worshipful Brother Charles laid out a blueprint that brought to life the Pillars of
Progress as defined in the Long Range Plan. He believed that the Long Range Plan and the initiatives
contained therein were more than just words on a page, but a call to action – that we must Walk the Talk.

He focused on the growth of Fraternal relationships with the many Masonic bodies in the Jurisdiction by
dedicating the months of his year to each of these bodies. In addition, he focused on the needs of the
Brethren by traveling throughout the Jurisdiction to the many Lodges, scheduled and unscheduled, to
reinforce his message of fraternity and fellowship. His District Meetings were taken to a higher level by
introducing the concept of family involvement.

Walking the Talk hed a deeper meaning for Most Worshipful Brother Charles:

“Listen! Can you hear it? Can you hear old Hiram call?“

“Have you taken time to reflect on the heart of your Degrees? Have you examined every word you spoke
while kneeling upon your knees? Or have you taken for granted the knowledge you have been given and
the lessons forged by Brothers of old? We must stand steadfast with the Brethren and let our light shine
through us all. We have the mission of the ages and who we are is now at hand. We must be the one the
young will follow. We must show our motivation, promote creativity, and show your love of life to
everyone. Don’t take the mission lightly for you will be watched by many eyes. Teach the lessons you’ve
been given to the hearts of every man.”
Most Worshipful Brother Charles McQuery stamped his legacy as Grand Master in 2006-2007, reflecting
his many years as a stalwart Mason and his career in industry.

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