JAY L. COTNER
Email: pgc2004@vatemplars.com
RIGHT EMINENT GRAND COMMANDER
2004-2005
He was born in Mississippi County, MO, on October 26, 1939, the son of Jesse A. and Etta Cotner. He was educated in the schools of southeast MO and Santa Anna, CA, graduating in 1957. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in April of 1957, and went on active duty July 1, 1957. After serving twenty years on active duty with the Marine Corps, he retired in July, 1977. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he owned and operated a farm in Fluvanna County, VA, until June, 1996. He was raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason on October 4, 1989, in Cabell Lodge 328, Columbia, VA, and served as Worshipful Master of that Lodge in 1994 and 2000, and as Worshipful Master of Widow’s Sons’ No. 60 in 1995. He was exalted a Royal Arch Mason on June 22, 1990, in Keystone Royal Arch Chapter No. 58, Charlottesville, VA. He served as High Priest of Keystone Royal Arch Chapter in 1995-1996. He was created a Knight Templar in January, 1991, in Charlottesville Commandery No. 3. He served as the Eminent Commander of Charlottesville No. 3 in 1996-1997. He was elected to the station of Grand Warder, Grand Commandery, Knights Templar of Virginia in May, 1998, and advanced through the line to become Grand Commander in May, 2004.
Masonic Memberships:
Life Member in Perpetuity of Cabell Lodge No. 328 and Widow’s Sons’ No. 60. Member and Past Master of Virginia Research Lodge No. 1777. Honorary member of Piedmont Stella Lodge No. 50. District Instructor of Work for the Seventh Masonic District from November, 1994, until November, 2001, and District Instructor of Work for the Tenth Masonic District from November, 2001, until the present time.
Capitular Membership:
Life Member in Perpetuity in Keystone Royal Arch Chapter No. 58; honorary member of Dillwyn Royal Arch Chapter No. 64 and Waynesboro-Union Royal Arch Chapter No. 2; member of Fairfax Royal Arch Chapter No. 13 and charter member of Kent’s Store Royal Arch Chapter No. 86.
Deputy Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in the Commonwealth of Virginia from November, 1997, to March, 2004. Presently serving as Secretary of Fairfax Royal Arch Chapter 13, Keystone Royal Arch Chapter No. 58, and Kent’s Store Royal Arch Chapter No.
86.
Member, Grand Council of Anointed High Priests in Virginia, and Grand Council of Thrice Illustrious Masters in Virginia.
Received the degree of Super Excellent Master in the Grand Council of Connecticut on September 8, 2000.
Chivalric membership:
Past Commander of Charlottesville Commandery No. 3; presently serving as the Recorder. Served as District Deputy Grand Commander of the Fifth Chivalric District from May, 2000, to May, 2001. Elected to the station of Grand Warder of the Grand Commandery, Knights Templar of Virginia in May, 1998; elected and installed as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Virginia on May 15, 2004.
Other memberships include:
Fork Union Chapter No. 111, Order of Eastern Star
Past Major, Provost Guard, ACCA Shrine Center
Past Sovereign Master Valley, Council No. 56 and Hartley-Carmichael No. 3, Allied Masonie Degrees, Served as President of Virginia Association of Allied Masonic Degrees in 2002-2003.
Knight of Red Branch of Eri and appendant Orders
Life member of King Darius Council No. 17, Knight Masons North America
Wilderness Road York Rite College No. 94
Garden of Gethsemane Tabernacle No 2, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests
Virginia College, Masonic Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis
Rose of Sharon Priory No. 2, Knights of the York Cross of Honor St. Cornelius the Centurion Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine
Ancient Order of Corks
Knight of Constantinople
Royal Ark Mariner
Order of Bath
Order of St. Patrick
Grand College of Rites
Royal Order of Scotland
Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor
Iona Grove No. 1, United Ancient Order of Druids
