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Georgia DeMolay HistoryPast Illustrious Knight CommandersThe content on this page was compiled from information available in the Georgia DeMolay office and from input from knowledgeable individuals. If you have information that could add to the completeness and accuracy of this content, please contact us. Name Date Served Priory Chapter Joseph Griswold 2010 - 2011 State Priory Mountain Park (Stone Mountain) Christopher Benedetti 2009 - 2010 State Priory Peachtree City Paul A. Hunt 2008 - 2009 State Priory Mountain Park (Stone Mountain) Stephen R. Bohn 2007 - 2008 State Priory Panthersville (Conyers) James M. O'Neal 2006 - 2007 State Priory Middle Georgia (Warner Robins) H. Alexander Williams 2005 - 2006 State Priory Clayton (Hampton) Adam J. Fowler 2004 - 2005 State Priory Samuel S. Lawrence (Marietta) Brian Eidson 2003 - 2004 State Priory Clayton (Hampton) Perry L. Bennett 2002 - 2003 State Priory Samuel S. Lawrence (Marietta) Jimmy Spettel 2001 - 2002 State Priory Columbus office vacant 2000 - 2001 State Priory T. Edwin Reagin 1999 - 2000 State Priory Mountain Park (Stone Mountain) Derek J. Stovall 1998 - 1999 State Priory Mountain Park (Stone Mountain) Jonathan W. Challen 1997 - 1998 State Priory Mountain Park (Stone Mountain) Justin H. Harmon 1996 - 1997 State Priory Mountain Park (Stone Mountain) Lyle Chadwick 1995 - 1996 State Priory Samuel S. Lawrence (Marietta) William P. Brady 1994 - 1995 State Priory Mountain Park (Stone Mountain) Michael Grant 1993 - 1994 State Priory Cecil Cheves (Savannah) David E. Fritz 1992 - 1993 State Priory Mountain Park (Stone Mountain) Dmitry Tokarsky 1991 - 1992 State Priory Samuel S. Lawrence (Marietta) Robert S. Koslowski 1990 - 1991 State Priory Cecil Cheves (Savannah) Bryan R. Newport 1989 - 1990 State Priory Samuel S. Lawrence (Marietta) 1988 - 1989 State Priory Frankie L. Kitchens 1987 - 1988 State Priory Christopher O. Hendry State Priory Jonesboro Hugh S. D'Anna, III Henry L. Brown Cecil Cheves (Savannah) John Gardner Henry L. Brown Augusta William R. Carver, Jr. Middle Georgia Albany Priory Location Active Date Forfeit Date Henry L. Brown Priory Atlanta 8/7/1970 moved to Savannah in early 1974 Middle Georgia Priory Albany 1971 combined into State Priory, 1984-1986 Henry L. Brown Priory Savannah early 1974 combined into State Priory, 1984-1986 North Georgia Priory Atlanta early 1974 combined into State Priory, 1984-1986 State Priory of Georgia Macon 1984-1986 currently active HistoryKnighthood was instituted in Georgia on August 7, 1970 at the Americal Motor Hotel in Atlanta during the 1970 Conclave. The Degree of Investiture and the Ebon Degree were presented by the combined members of the Cincinnati and Miami Valley Priories from the jurisdiction of Ohio. James Milner presided as Illustrious Knight Commander. The Knights from Ohio wore tuxes with white dinner jackets and white gloves during the ceremonies. The first Priory instituted in Georgia was the Henry L. Brown Priory, based in Atlanta. As the Henry L. Brown Priory picked up steam, it was apparent that the state could support a second Priory. Besides the fact that the numbers (around 2500 DeMolay members were on the rolls in Georgia at the time) would support a second Priory, Dad Pettys (Executive Officer at the time) explained that he was concerned that the Knights in the "outstate" were having to drive into Atlanta for virtually every function. He wanted to get a Priory situation for them that wouldn't require as long a drive. Dad Pettys asked William R. Carver Jr. (who would go on to become Illustrious Knight Commander, State Master Councilor, and Executive Officer) to take the lead in canvassing the Knights from Macon south to drum up support for a second Priory, that he wanted based in Albany. However, even as it was based in Albany, it was named the Middle Georgia Priory. It was a several month effort. However, the Charter was issued and Middle Georgia Priory became the second one in the state. Henry L. Brown Priory officially moved to Savannah after the 1974 Tournament of Champions. North Georgia Priory was created to fill the void when Henry L. Brown Priory moved to Savannah. In the mid-1980s, as membership in DeMolay waned from its heyday in the 1960s and 70s, the three Priories merged to form the State Priory of Georgia in order to keep Knighthood viable in the state of Georgia. Credit: William R. Carver Jr., Hugh S. D'Anna III |
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