Curtis Lancaster

Curtis Norman Lancaster passed away on August 7, 2014. He was born July 25, 1934, to Hugh and Dixie Lancaster in San Angelo, Texas. They moved to Agua Dulce, Texas, where he met and later married Janet Quebe on September 3, 1955.

He attended Texas A&M University earning a BS in Industrial Engineering in 1957, was designated a Distinguished Military Student in the Corp of Cadets at Texas A&M, and was a member of the elite Sul Ross Volunteers drill team. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army serving in the 17th Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Division.

After military service, he pursued a career in the aerospace industry and moved to Brigham City, Utah, where he worked for Thiokol Corporation as a Program Manager for 33 years retiring in 1992.

His faith was an important part of his life. He helped start the First Baptist Church in Brigham City where he served as trustee and treasurer for 18 years. He continued his service as a deacon and treasurer for Mountain View Baptist Church in Layton for the past 16 years.

He joined the Masonic Fraternity in 1967 and became active in all facets of the Masonic family on both a state and national level. He served as Worshipful Master of his Lodge three times and presided over the fraternity when he was installed the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons in Utah in 1983.

He joined the York Rite of Freemasonry in 1969 and served as the presiding officer in all three local bodies and all three Grand York Rite bodies. He is a Past Sovereign of Bonneville Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, and served as Intendant General for Utah. He was elected to the line in the United Grand Imperial Council in 1999, and was installed Grand Sovereign in 2004.

He joined the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in 1967 and became a 33rd degree Mason in 1985. In 1990, he was appointed Deputy of the Supreme Council of the Southern Jurisdiction of the U.S.A. and in 1995, he became the Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Utah. He held this position for 18 years. In 2003, he was elected Lt. Grand Commander in the Supreme Council retiring in 2013. During his tenure, he instituted the Scottish Rite Care program for children with learning disabilities in Utah establishing two Scottish Rite Children's Learning Centers.

He was active in many other Masonic organizations, having served as Potentate of El Kalah Shrine in 1981, Executive Officer of DeMolay in Utah, and Worthy Patron of his Eastern Star Chapter three times.

He is survived by his wife Janet, children Nancy L. Lancaster, Alan D. (Evonne) Lancaster, and Steven D. Lancaster; six grandchildren and one great grandchild; and his brother Bruce (Linda) Lancaster.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff of the ICU unit at McKay Dee Hospital and the doctors and staff of Liberty Dialysis for their devoted and tender care.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at the Salt Lake Masonic Temple, 650 E South Temple, SLC. Arrangements have been entrusted to Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd., Layton, UT.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Scottish Rite Foundation, 650 E. South Temple, SLC, Utah 84102.