DONALD C. COMBS, 33° IGH, PGM
BORN — OCTOBER 6, 1953 WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK (MOVED TO SAVANNAH -1992)
PARENTS — LeROY (passed Oct, 2012) & BETTY COMBS (passed May 24, 2023)
MARRIED TO THE FORMER SUSAN IRENE TURCO (41 YEARS AS/OF 4-16-24)
3 CHILDREN — SEAN (38 AS/OF 6-11-24) (FULL TIME MEMBER OF THE ALASKA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD – 3 tours in Afghanistan) PAST MASTER COUNCILOR OF CECIL CHEVES CHAPTER OF THE ORDER OF DeMOLAY, A MASTER RITUALIST, AND CHEVALIER.
MELANIE (35 AS/OF 12-15-23) (GRADUATE OF OGEECHEE TECHNICAL COLLEGE AS A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN) PAST MEMBER OF SAVANNAH ASSEMBLY #1 OF THE RAINBOW FOR GIRLS HEATHER (35 AS/OF 12-15-23) (GRADUATE OF THE CLASS OF 2007 BRYAN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL) PAST MEMBER OF SAVANNAH ASSEMBLY #1 RAINBOW FOR GIRLS
EDUCATION
GRADUATED FROM VALHALLA HIGH SCHOOL, VALHALLA, NEW YORK (1971)
RECEIVED A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PROFESSIONAL AERONAUTICS FROM
EMBRY RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY (CUM LAUDE 1991)
RECEIVED A MASTER OF AERONAUTICAL SCIENCE IN AEROSPACE MANAGEMENT
FROM EMBRY RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIV. (1992)
RECEIVED A MASTER OF DIVINITY DEGREE FROM THE CANDLER SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AT EMORY UNIVERSITY (2005)
EMPLOYMENT
ORDAINED AS AN ELDER IN THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (6/2009)
LICENSED TO PREACH IN THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (2/1999)
SERVED AS SENIOR PASTOR OF THE LAKESIDE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (6/2010- 6/2023)
SERVING AS SENIOR PASTOR OF THE LAKESIDE COMMUNITY CHURCH (Formally Lakeside UMC (6/2023- date)
PREVIOUS – SERVED AS THE SENIOR PASTOR OF THE UNADILLA AND PINEHURST UNITED METHODIST CHURCHES IN UNADILLA & PINEHURST, GA (6/2007-6/2010) AND THE SENIOR PASTOR FOR THE ELLABELL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN
ELLABELL, GA (6/1999 – 6/2007)
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE (RELIABILITY ENGINEER & QUALITY AUDITOR) SAVANNAH, GA (95-99)
LOCKHEED-MARTIN AEROSPACE (AIRCRAFT INSPECTOR & MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR) SAVANNAH, GA (93-95)
U.S. ARMY VETERAN – HONORABLE DISCHARGE AS E-6 STAFF SERGEANT (1992)
SERVED WITH 82ND AVIATION BRIGADE, FT BRAGG, NC, 501 COMBAT AVIATION BATTALION, GERMANY, THE 45TH SUPPORT GROUP, HAWAII, AND SEVERAL SPECIAL ATTACHMENTS TO SPECIAL OPERATIONS AND DRUG INTERDICTION UNITS.
MASONIC HISTORY
BLUE LODGE
RAISED IN FRANK F. BAKER LODGE #46 IN GARDEN CITY, GA (March 1994)
RECEIVED 25 YEAR SERVICE AWARD – JUNE 10, 2019
SERVED AS MASTER OF FRANK F. BAKER #46 (2001)
SERVED AS TREASURER OF FRANK F. BAKER #46 (2007-2022)
SERVING AS SECRETARY OF FRANK F. BAKER #46 (2022 – DATE)
AFFILIATED MEMBER OF LIVE OAK LODGE #137 (10/2020)
AFFLIATED MEMBER OF COASTAL DAYLIGHT LODGE #750 (2/2022)
SERVED AS GRAND CHAPLAIN FOR MWGM ELI STAFFORD (10/06-10/07)
APPOINTED TO THE GRAND LODGE LINE AS THIRD GRAND STEWARD BY RWB GARY LEAZER, JGW 10/2013
SERVED AS THE MW GRAND MASTER FOR THE GRAND LODGE OF GA (10/2021- 10/2022)
MASTER OF THE FIRST MASONIC DISTRICT CONVENTION (3/2010-3/2011)
CHAPLAIN OF THE THIRD MASONIC DISTRICT (3/2008-3/2009)
FIRST DISTRICT DIRECTOR FOR MASONIC EDUCATION (2/2002-10/2003& 10/2004-10/2006)
THIRD DISTRICT DIRECTOR FOR MASONIC EDUCATION (10/2007-10/2008)
ASSISTANT STATE DIRECTOR FOR G/L MELD COMMITTEE – DISTRICT 3&12 (10/2008 – 10/2010)
GRAND LODGE YOUTH COMMITTEE (10/2003 – 10/2006)
GRAND LODGE CHARTER AND BY-LAWS COMMITTEE (10/2007 – DATE / CHAIR – 2021-DATE)
GRAND LODGE ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER (1st DISTRICT) – 3/2011 – 3/2020)
GRAND LODGE COMMITTEE ON RECOGNITION – CHAIR 10/2022 – date)
GRAND REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE GRAND LODGE OF GA TO COSTA RICA
SECRETARY OF THE LODGE OF RESEARCH #1 OF SAVANNAH (9/1997 TO DATE)
MASTER OF THE LODGE OF RESEARCH #1 OF SAVANNAH (8/1995 TO 9/1997)
EDITOR OF THE LODGE OF RESEARCH #1 NEWSLETTER “DID YOU KNOW?” (95-98)
Honorary Member of Middle Georgia Daylight Lodge #756 (12/2013)
HONORARY MEMBER OF SYLVANIA LODGE #301 (9/7/19)
HONORARY MEMBER OF WASHINGTON LODGE # 359 (6/28/2018)
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP OF BRUNSWICK LODGE #717 (8/2021)
SCOTTISH RITE
RECEIVED THE 32˚ AND ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE HORACE A EDWARDS REUNION CLASS VALLEY OF SAVANNAH (10/1994)
INVESTED AS KNIGHT COMMANDER OF THE COURT OF HONOR (1999)
CORONETED AN INSPECTOR GENERAL HONORARY 33˚ (2005)
SERVED AS VENERABLE MASTER OF THE LODGE OF PERFECTION VALLEY OF SAVANNAH (2005-2006) (Sponsoring body of Cecil Cheves Chapter Order of DeMolay)
MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE VALLEY OF SAVANNAH (1999 TO 2012, 2014-date)
SERVED AS CHAIRMAN OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (4/2006 -4/2009)
APPOINTED AS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SOVERIEGN GRAND INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR THE VALLEY OF SAVANNAH (1/2023 – date)
PAST COMMANDER OF COUNCIL OF KADOSH
DEGREE COMMUNICATOR AND MEMBER OF SEVERAL DEGREE TEAMS
SCOTTISH RITE LEGIONAIRE
EXALTED COMPANION GEORGIA CHAPTER #3 ROYAL ARCH MASONS SAVANNAH, GA
York Rite
(4/1995 J. WALTER COWART FESTIVAL)
SERVED AS EXCELLENT HIGH PRIEST GA CHAPTER #3 RAM (2002)
RECEIVED THE ORDER OF THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD (2002)
EXCELLENT HIGH PRIEST OF THE FIRST ROYAL ARCH DISTRICT CONVENTION (2007-2008)
SERVED AS DISTRICT GRAND DEPUTY TO THE M.E. GRAND HIGH PRIEST (5/2003 TO 7/2007)
SERVED AS EXCELLENT GRAND CHAPLAIN FOR GRAND CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS OF GEORGIA UNDER MEGHP CLYDE E. GRIFFIN (5/2013-5/2014)
GREETED A COMPANION IN GEORGIA COUNCIL #2 ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS SAVANNAH, GA (SAME AS CHAPTER)
RECEIVED SUPER EXCELLENT MASTER DEGREE (SAME AS CHAPTER)
SERVED AS ILLUSTRIOUS MASTER OF GEORGIA COUNCIL #2 RSM (2001)
RECEIVED THE ORDER OF THE SILVER TROWEL (2001)
SERVED AS ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND CHAPLAIN FOR THE GRAND COUNCIL OF ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS OF GEORGIA UNDER MIGM JACK L. HEPNER (2003-2004)
THRICE ILLUSTRIOUS MASTER OF THE ORDER OF THE SILVER TROWEL (5/20/5/21)
APPOINTED AS THE GRAND REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GRAND COUNCIL OF GEORGIA TO THE GRAND COUNCIL OF WYOMING (2004)
DUBBED SIR KNIGHT IN PALESTINE COMMANDERY #7 KNIGHTS TEMPLAR SAVANNAH, GA (4/1995)
EMINENT COMMANDER OF PALESTINE COMMANDERY #7 (2002-2003)
RECEIVED THE GRAND COMMANDER’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE AND OUTSTANDING
SERVICE TO THE ORDER (10/2002)
AWARDED THE KNIGHT CRUSADER OF THE CROSS (5/2004)
ELECTED AND SERVING AS EMINENT GRAND PRELATE OF THE GRAND COMMANDERY
OF GA (5/12 – DATE) (Served as Chaplain/Prelate for all 4 Grand Bodies; Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter, Grand Council and Grand Commandery. Only one I am aware of to do that.
RECEIVED INTO THE KNIGHT YORK CROSS OF HONOR (KYCH) GEORGIA PRIORY #39 (2003)
RECEIVED IN ANCIENT ARABIC ORDER OF THE NOBLES OF THE MYSTIC SHRINE- ALEE TEMPLE 10/2015
MEMBER OF THE KNIGHTS OF MECCA AND BRUNSWICK SHRINE CLUB.
MEMBER OF THE TALL CEDARS OF LEBANON – SAVANNAH FOREST #217 FOUNDING MEMBER AND CHAPLAIN (2016-DATE)
OTHER APPENDANT BODIES
INDUCTED INTO THE SAVANNAH COUNCIL #328 OF THE ALLIED MASONIC DEGREES, SAVANNAH GA (1996)
SERVED AS SOVEREIGN MASTER OF SAVANNAH COUNCIL #328 (2002) AND RECEIVED THE INSTALLED SOVEREIGN MASTER’S DEGREE Also member of Georgia Council #304
RECEIVED THE RED BRANCH OF ERI (ALL) (2002)
CHARTER MEMBER OF THE HERMAN E. FREEMAN YORK RITE COLLEGE #186
SAVANNAH , GA (1996)
SERVED AS GOVERNOR OF COLLEGE (2011/2012)
RECEIVED THE ORDER OF THE PURPLE CROSS (7/2013)
INSTALLED AND KNIGHTED A COUSIN IN THE DEGREES OF KNIGHT MASONRY IN
CARL F. LESTER COUNCIL #65 ATLANTA, GA (1999) Currently member of Crowned Martyrs Council
RECEIVED AS A KNIGHT IN OGLETHORPE CONCLAVE ORDER OF THE RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE SAVANNAH, GA (2001)
SERVED AS THE PUSSIANT SOVEREIGN (2013-2014).
RECEIVED INTO THE HOLY ROYAL ARCH KNIGHT TEMPAR PRIEST TABERNACLE XLV (09)
SERVED AS PRECEPTOR 12/2018 – 12/2019
INDUCTED INTO BETHLEHEM SHRINE #4 ORDER OF THE WHITE SHRINE OF JERUSALEM, BRUNSWICK, GA (2002) Demitted when they folded
RECEIVED IN THE ORDER OF ST THOMAS OF ACON (2014)
RECEIVED AS MEMBER OF NEPTUNE CHAPTER #153 ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR (2018)
RECEIVED AS MEMBER OF BRUNSWICK COURT #19 ORDER OF AMARANTH (2019)
Now affiliate with PORT CITY COURT
RECEIVED THE ORDER OF THE CORKS (2003)
RECEIVED THE ORDER OF THE BATH (2004)
RECEIVED THE ORDER OF SAINT PATRICK (2005)
RECEIVED THE DEMOLAY LEGION OF HONOR (2007)
RECEIVED THE DEMOLAY CROSS OF HONOR (2014)
DESIGNATED HONORARY MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL SUPREME COUNCIL OF DeMOLAY INTERNATIONAL (2021)
DESIGNATED A DEPUTY MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL SUPREME COUNCIL OF DeMOLAY INTERNATIONAL (2022)
RECEIVED GRAND CROSS OF COLOR FROM INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF RAINBOW FOR GIRLS (2021) OTHER MASONIC AFFILIATIONS
DAD ADVISOR FOR CECIL CHEVES CHAPTER ORDER OF DeMOLAY (1996 – DATE)
ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY BOARD FOR CECIL CHEVES (4/2012 – DATE)
ELECTED CHAIR OF THE DEMOLAY FOUNDATION OF GEORGIA (1/2024 – DATE)
MEMBER OF QUATUOR CORONATI RESEARCH LODGE #2076
MEMBER OF GEORGIA LODGE OF RESEARCH
MEMBER OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RESEARCH LODGE
MEMBER OF SCOTTISH RITE RESEARCH SOCIETY
MEMBER OF THE PHILALETHES SOCIETY
PREVIOUS PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS
MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF QUALITY (ASQ)
CERTIFIED QUALITY AUDITOR
IN LOCAL ASQ CHAPTER SERVED AS PROGRAM CHAIR, NATIONAL QUALITY MONTH
CHAIR, AND VICE PRESIDENT
MEMBER OF THE GULFSTREAM MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
SERVED AS SECRETARY AND TREASURER
SERVED ON THE COMMITTEES FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS, PROJECT READ, AND AWARDS CHAIRED THE NATIONAL QUALITY MONTH COMMITTEE AND SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING PROJECT
SERVED AS A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE FACILITATOR