Grand Master

This document is to serve as the official Masonic biographical record for Geary F. Laird who served as the 210th Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, F.&A.M. during the 2019-2020 Masonic Year. He was elected and installed as such on October 22, 2019 at the 220th Communication of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky held at the Galt House Hotel on 4th street in downtown Louisville, Kentucky.

BIRTH, LINEAGE, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

Brother Laird was born in Louisville, Kentucky on December 10, 1955 to Christine Klinglesmith Laird and Carroll F. Laird. He has two younger brothers, Harold Rich- ard Laird and Jodie Michael Laird. His maternal grandparents were James and Mollie Klinglesmith. His paternal grandparents were Melton and Mozelle Laird. Brother Laird married his high school sweetheart Terri Albro on May 14, 1977. Brother Laird and Terri have three children and one granddaughter. Their children's names are Chad Laird, Brett (Katy) Laird and Brooke (Les) Ostrander. Their granddaughter's name is Paisley Laird.

FAITH

Brother Geary Laird and Terri are of the Christian Faith and are members of Ormsby Heights Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky.

FAMILY MASONIC HISTORY

Brother Laird has a rich history of family members belonging to the Masonic Fraternity. His father, Carroll F. Laird, is a Master Mason belonging to Big Spring Masonic Lodge #826 (Grand Lodge of Kentucky F. & A.M.) where he served as Master in 1963. Addi- tionally, Carroll F. Laird is a member of Shawnee Masonic Lodge #830 (Grand Lodge of Kentucky F. & A.M.) and served as Assistant Grand Tiler for the Grand Lodge of Kentucky F. & A.M. during 2019-2020 under his son, Geary.

Grand Master Laird's father-in-law, William Albro, was a member of Shawnee Masonic Lodge #830. James Carter Albro, who was Terri Albro Laird's uncle, previously served as District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky F. & A.M. Masonic District #17. Both of these brothers were instrumental in Brother Geary Laird's formative years in Freemasonry.

Brother Laird's brothers, Harold Richard Laird and Jodie Michael Laird, both served as Master of Shawnee Masonic Lodge #830. Additionally, Harold Richard Laird served as Potentate of Kosair Shrine in Louisville, Kentucky during 2019 and Grand Marshal for the Grand Lodge of Kentucky F. & A. M. during the 2019-2020 Masonic Year.

Chad Laird, Brother Laird's son, is a member of Shawnee Masonic Lodge #830. Brother Laird performed the third Masonic Degree on Chad raising him to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on All Mason's Day, February 26, 2020. All Mason's Day is designated as such by the Commonwealth of Kentucky Legislative bodies and is held every other year. This tiled meeting was held in the House Chambers of the Kentucky State Capitol Building. Brother Geary Laird stated that making his son a Master Mason was one of the proudest days of his life.

Brother Geary Laird credits his father and father-in-law as his inspiration to submit a petition for the Masonic Degrees and for serving as his mentors during his Masonic career.

EDUCATION

Grand Master Laird attended public school in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended elementary through high school graduating from Pleasure Ridge Park High School in 1974. He additionally attended classes at Jefferson Community College.

VOCATION

Brother Laird was employed at Ford Motor Company beginning in 1977 until his retirement in May, 2007. Brother Laird was a valued employee at Ford Motor Company and served as Assemblyman and also as an Alternate Committeeman Representative for the United Auto Workers.

MASONIC MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS/DISTINCTIONS

Brother Laird is an active member of Shawnee Masonic Lodge #830 where he has served as Master and Treasurer. He is also a member of the Marlin White Lodge of Research #997 (Grand Lodge of Kentucky F. & A.M.) and the Ted Adams Lodge of Research #998 (Grand Lodge of Kentucky F. & A.M.). He received his Entered Apprentice Degree, was passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft, and raised to the sublime Degree of a Master Mason in 1977. Brother Laird's degrees were conferred by James Carter Albro (Terri Albro Laird's uncle noted above) at Shawnee Masonic Lodge #830. Brother Laird is a member of the York Rite Bodies of Louisville. (King Solomon Chapter #5, Louisville Council #4 and Jefferson Commandery #52). He was awarded the Knight Mason by Highland Council #104 and is a member of the North Central York Rite College #116. He is also a member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Louisville. Brother Laird was award- ed the K.C.C.H. honors by the Valley of Louisville. He is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine belonging to Kosair Shrine in Louisville, Kentucky and is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Shively Chapter #566, located in Louisville, Kentucky.

In addition to the above memberships, Brother Laird is also a member of the Society of Past Masters of Central Kentucky, the Appalachian Past Masters Society and the Past Masters Association of North Central Kentucky. He is also a Past President of the Shawnee Foundation.

Brother Laird served in several appointed positions in the Grand Lodge of Kentucky during his Masonic Career. He served as Committeeman on Keepers of the Work (Ma- sonic Area #2, 2010-2011) District Deputy Grand Master in 2011-2012 for the Grand Lodge of Kentucky F. & A. M. Masonic District # 12. He also served as Grand Chaplin for the Grand Lodge of Kentucky F. & A. M. in 2014-2015.

Brother Laird was awarded the Bluegrass Ritual Pin (in recognition of his high level of skill in delivering Masonic Ritual) in 2006, was elected to serve on the Masonic Homes of Kentucky Board of Directors (2016-2020) and received the DeMolay Honorary Legion of Honor in 2017.

GRAND MASTER'S JEWEL WORN

Brother Geary Laird proudly wears the Grand Master's Jewel previously worn by Past Grand Master John G. Orndorff (member of Russellville Masonic Lodge #17, Grand Lodge of Kentucky F. & A. M.). Brother Orndorff served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky F. & A.M. during the 1884-1885 Masonic Year.

RECREATIONAL INTERESTS

Brother Laird's recreational interests include hunting, All-terrain Vehicle riding, camping, boating and bowling.

AREAS OF FOCUS WHILE GRAND MASTER

Brother Laird chose to focus on several important areas while serving as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. His motto for the Masonic Year was "Masons Making a Difference." He stressed involvement for all members either in ritual work, mentoring candidates, filling a lodge office, involvement in community events, making a positive difference in people's lives, etc. He also established a ritual competition to further the goal of quality ritual work. His statewide traveling program is based on the Masonic Trowel. Spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection is the focus of his program.

STATEMENT ADDRESSING THE CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC

Brother Laird read the following statement at the 221st Grand Communication of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky F. & A.M. which was held at the Galt House Hotel in Louis- ville, Kentucky on October 19, 2020.

"Freemasonry, throughout Kentucky, our nation and the world has been adversely af- fected by the coronavirus pandemic. It is once again time for us, as men and Masons, to come together and push forward to ensure that our craft will stand the test of time. Throughout history Freemasonry has withstood and overcome obstacles including the Morgan Affair, The Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1917-1918 and The Great Depression to name a few. As we work together to reignite the fire of Freemasonry in the hearts and minds of quality men, we too, with the aid of the Grand Architect of the Universe, will prevail."

I am honored to have been selected by Most Worshipful Grand Master Geary F. Laird to complete his Masonic Biography.

Respectfully submitted, Cloyd J. Bumgardner, PGM (639, 999) Chairman Committee on Biography