C.L. “Buck” Rhodes, described by organizers as a longtime staple of the Greenville community, received the 60-year Masonic jewel Jan. 12 during a family night celebration for Greenville Lodge 107 A.F. and A.M.
But Rhodes is only the most recent member of his family to make a long term commitment to the Masons, according to officials for Lodge 107.
His great-great grandfather, Matthew Rhodes, was iniated into the Johnson Lodge 158 A.F. and A.M. at Old Greenville in 1870.
“Since then there has never been a period of time that descendants of Matthew Rhodes have not been members of the Masonic fraternity at Greenville,” Lodge officials reported, adding, “Buck Rhodes will be long remembered as a coach and educator in the Greenville RII School district in the 1970’s and operating the Rhodes Texaco on Front Street in Greenville during the 1980’s. He later retired from Briggs and Stratton in Poplar Bluff.”
Buck Rhodes was recommended to Lodge 107 by his father, the late W.B. Cecil F. Rhodes and the late Brother Corprew Jones. He was initiated into Freemasonry at Greenville in 1960, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft later that year, then raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in 1961. He and his late first wife, the former Kathern (Rainwater) Rhodes, later joined the Greenville Chapter 337 Order of the Eastern Star in 1964.
He journeyed through the chairs and offices of the Lodge ranks and served as Worshipful Master of Lodge 107 for the 1973-1974 Masonic year.
Buck Rhodes and his late wife have two children, twin daughters, Pamela and Paula, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is now married to the former Emalee Franklin and they reside in Poplar Bluff. He is a longtime member of the New Hope General Baptist Church at Silva and he and his wife attend the First Baptist Church of Poplar Bluff.
Also in attendance for the special presentation were other longtime members of the Masonic fraternity; Paul Bridges of Silva (57-year member), Lavern Daves of Silva (63-year member) and C.L. “Pix” McLane of Greenville (62-year member). These three, along with Rhodes, have been longtime friends since high school days.
The ceremony was presided over by W.B. Lavern H. Daves, R.W.B. Ted Marlow and W.B. Jerry Gowen. The Masonic jewel was presented by Pamela Smith, daughter of Rhodes.