ShrinerMagazineFall2021

L 2021 Awards of Merit Presented by Imperial Sir Jim Smith

T

E

N

R

I

N

S

A

R

T

E

I

N

O

I

N

R

A

H

S

AWARD OF MERIT

LARRY L. CHAPEL, MIZPAH SHRINERS Larry L. Chapel of Gaston, Indiana, taught math, science and computer edu- cation, and also worked as an athletic director and assistant principal; he retired in 2003. Chapel was raised a Master Mason in 1970. He is a member of the Scottish Rite and is a 33rd degree

DONALD LEO THOMSON, KHARTUM SHRINERS Donald Leo Thomson, of Winni- peg, Manitoba, Canada, worked for 42 years for an electric power and natural gas utility, receiving the Governor General of Canada Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal in 1993. Also in that year, he followed in his father’s foot- steps and became a Shriner. He is a member of the Khartum Provost

Corps, serving as president in 1997, and is a riding member of the Khartum Ruff Riders. He served as Potentate in 2009. He has also been the Secretary of the Midwest Shrine Association for many years. Thomson is the hospital chairman at Khartum and is on the Board of Governors of Shriners Hospitals for Children —Canada. Thomson has been with his Lady, Dawn Turner for 28 years and has three children.

Mason. He became a Shriner in 1979, served as Potentate in 2008 and as Treasurer from 2009 to 2012, and has been the acting Temple Recorder since December 2020. He belongs to Mizmur Shrine Club and Mizmur Scooter Patrol. He has been the Treasurer of the Great Lakes Shrine Association since 2013. Chapel and his Lady, Jenny have been married for 21 years and have six children and 14 grandchildren.

Recipients of the Award of Merit have demonstrated a deep commitment to the missions of Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for Children. During the 2021 Imperial Session, Imperial Sir Jeff Sowder joined Imperial Sir Jim Smith in presenting awards, since he was unable to do so last year.

H. RON BAAS, SHADDAI SHRINERS

LARRY TIPTON, AL BEDOO SHRINERS Larry Tipton of Columbus, Montana, worked in sales and retired in 2018. He was raised a Master Mason at Henry A. Greene Lodge #250 in Lake- wood, Washington. He is a charter and lifetime member of the Grand Lodge of Russia, Pacific Rim Lodge #312 in Vladivostok, Russia, and is a

H. Ron Baas of Lynn Haven, Flor- ida, worked at Tyndall Air Force Base. He spent most of his career in financial management, working at Tyndall Federal Credit Union, retiring in 2007. He was raised a Master Mason at Harry Jackson Lodge #314, and is a member of the York Rite and the Order of the Cross. He became a Shriner in

1977, serving as Potentate in 1998 and as Treasurer for 16 years. He has been on the membership and insurance committees, and the director’s staff, and is active with the transportation fund. He is also part of the Hot Rods and Clowns units and loves being part of the Dixie Shrine Association. Baas and his Lady, Melba "Baby," have been together for 43 years and have four children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

member of Scottish Rite. In 1983, he joined Al Aska Shriners. He is a lifetime member of Al Bedoo Shriners, where he served as Potentate in 2008 and Recorder from 2014 to 2016. He is Past Commodore of the International Association of Shrine Yacht Clubs and has been the Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Shrine Association since 2009. He and his wife, Judy have been married for nearly 42 years and have two children and two grandchildren.

15

shrinersinternational.org