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From the
Office of the Grand Worthy Chief
Universal Craftsman Council of Engineers, Inc.
Greetings,
First and foremost I would like to thank the Officers and Members of our organization for their trust and support. It is my honor to serve YOU!
James T Couch, Grand Worthy Chief
Universal Craftsman Council of Engineers, Inc.
James T Couch Jr.
Born 1951 in Cincinnati, Ohio, James moved to a Suburb called Norwood. He was the eldest of 4 children and the only boy. Being a big brother put a lot of responsibility on him even as a child. This commitment to his family continues on today. He met Margie in November of 1979 and they married in November 6 years later. They have always shared the same ideals and passions in life which continues to enrich and strengthen them to this day.
Jim gives of himself both physically and financially to not only his family but others as well. He has worked since he was 12 years old, his constant focus being to better himself and those around him. He found he excelled in working with automobiles. He became an amazing craftsman with both the automotive bodies and mechanical components which gained him pride and the respect of others in and outside of his field. Always looking out for his family and friends also lead him to seek additional avenues of income which he found to be in rental real estate. Having no formal training, but eager to move forward, he worked long nights and weekends to secure and remodel his first rental property in 1974 at the age of 23. He continued to work full time as an automotive technician and then into a position of management in the automotive field (a position he retired from in 2017) while he also purchased and rehabbed numerous more properties and uses his talents in that field to assist friends and family to have a better home in which to live. Jim has dedicated his adult life to caring for people, those he knows and is close to as well as those he has hardly met. His workaholic lifestyle led to him not taking time for himself for most of his life. This trend led to his becoming involved in Freemasonry later than most men. He was richly intrigued by the friends he knew that became Masons, and curious about the fraternity. A very good friend suggested to him after he inquired about Masonry that it might be a good fit, knowing his character and work ethics. Jim decided to finally do something that was just for him, for a change. Becoming a Mason at the age of 54. Since joining the Fraternity he has jumped in with both feet and worked as hard at being the best he could within it, as well as enjoying the Brotherhood of other good and hard working men. He was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason just three days after his 54 th birthday. The only regrets anyone ever hears him state is that he waited so long to inquire and get involved. He has said many times, when afforded the opportunity to present to Fellow Masons their longevity pins, ”I’ll never live long enough to be honored in this manner, but I’m very proud and happy you have.” Who knows, he may make it to 104 and see that 50 year pin.
There are a few other things Jim enjoys these days, like spending time with friends on an annual fishing trip, the occasional round of golf (he’s made two hole-in-ones, both at a Masonic golf outings), athletic events he volunteers for with Special Olympics (he was awarded Volunteer of the Year 1998), the family gatherings for holidays and birthdays, short getaways with his wife, and most of all the time he gets to spend with his daughter Catrina, her husband Johannes, and the four grandchildren, Corban , Arin , Jonah , and Neve.
Jim’s mother and father have both passed away but his mother always enjoyed the occasional events she got to attend with him in his Masonic travels.
Jim enjoys going to visit and speak with Masons that find it all but impossible to get to meetings or gatherings. He has been able to deliver and present awards to members who have given him hours of pleasure with their stories and memories.
Jim has spent precious time with those whom he knows face trials and tribulation, he has attended many Masonic funerals, he has sat at the bedside and prayed with those who were about to walk the path home and helped them with comforting words of faith. Although Baptized in the Methodist Church and a true believer, he was never an extremely religious person but has a spirit within him that can be seen and felt, his commitment and faith has seen him through his own trials and tribulations and he believes in the obligation to others to help them with theirs.
Putting as much time and effort as he can into gathering his Masonic life, growing his Masonic life, and working to become a better man seems sometimes to be an obsession, but he feels as though starting on this journey so late in life makes it necessary for him to get as much in as he can, in the time he has left to gain it. His Masonic record is a testament to his dedication and hard work. He has achieved quite a lot in a short time. Holding multiple top line positions in several bodies at the same time, receiving awards, recognition, and certifications in all the Masonic bodies he is involved in. Just 3 weeks after being raised he took on the role of Jubala, a speaking part, which, is ironic since he suffers from a mild form of dyslexia. He then jumped at the opportunity to fill any and all parts which were available to him. Studying endlessly and with true enthusiasm and dedication he continues to accept and pursue performing all the parts of the Degrees. He assists other Lodges, Councils, Chapters, and Commanderys of both York Rite and Scottish Rite in the performance of their Degree work. He has given all the Charges, and all the Lectures, in most of the Masonic Bodies and when giving the Fellowcraft and G Lecture together for the first time in 2012, his fellow Brethren stated it was given so effortlessly it was as if it was being made up as he went along.
In summation, although not a long Masonic history for Jim, he has achieved so much and dedicated so much, while still making time to give to his friends, family, and his community. He deserves true recognition for this, some of which could not be accomplished by many who have spent a lot more time in their Masonic membership.
· James T Couch Jr. Masonic History
· Occupation: Automotive Industry - 49 Years Retired in 2017 as Service Manager at Bob Pulte Chevrolet 25 years.
· Church Affiliation: Epworth United Methodist, member since 1985
· Civil Service Affiliations: Special Olympics Greater Dayton, 1996 to Present, Sinclair College Mentor Program 1995 to 2005
· Education Background: Norwood Public Schools, Sinclair College, General Motors Technical College, ASE Master
Certified Technician Training, ASE Certified Service Manager Training.
· Professional and Other Affiliations: Wins Real Estate Academy and Strathmore’s Who’s Who Society
· Symbolic Lodge: Norwood #576 06/03/2005, Certificate of Merit (Most Enthusiastic New Member) 9/15/2008, Certificate of Achievement (Exceptional Lodge Leader) 05/26/2012, Letter of Recognition FMDOA for Fundraising Activities and Member of Pillars Society 7/13/2011, Past Master 2014, Life Endowed Member
· Stonecutter #802 Charter Member 2020, Two Year Past Master 2022 & 2023, currently serving as Trustee, Life Endowed Member
· Capitular: Norwood Chapter #193 RAM 11/7/2006, High Priest 2009, District Registrar 2011, District Education Officer 2011-2012-2013, District Deputy Grand High Priest 2020-2022, Grand Marshall 2023, Outstanding High Priest Award 2009, Perfect Attendance Award 2009, Grand High Priest Award 2009, Royal Arch Foundation Silver Certificate 10/07/2010, Certificate of Achievement-Committee on Masonic Education 8/8/2008, Life Endowed Member
· Cryptic: Henry A Weeks #137 04/21/2007, Illustrious Master 2009, Ross R. Black Bible Award 2009 & 2010, Award of Excellence 10/05/2010, Grand Council Patriot Award 2010, 2011 & 2013, Grand Council Certificates of Merit (Membership) 2009-2010 & (Education) 2009-2010, Grand Council Certificate of Achievement (NPD) 2010-2011, Grand Council Illustrious Master of the Year 10/04/2010, Served as Recorder for 7 years, Life Endowed Member
· Chivalric: Trinity Commandery #44 (now Hanselmann #16) 04/21/2007, Eminent Commander 2010, Certificate of Merit for Membership 2011, Drill Team 2009, 2010, 2011, 2023, 2024 & 2025, currently serving as Standard Bearer, Life Endowed Member
· Awarded Certificate of Honorary Membership in Valley Commandery No. 80 on July 26, 2025
· AASR: Valley of Cincinnati 04/21/2006, Most Petitioners Award 4/16/2011, Degree Passport filled twice, currently serving as Ambassador, Life Endowed Member 2015
· Shrine: Syrian Shrine 2006, Life Endowed Member
· Priory (KYCH): Ohio Priory #18, Life Endowed Member
· Allied Masonic Degrees: Robert L. Williams Council #476 03/12/2011, Past Sovereign Master 2024
· Red Cross of Constantine: St. Columba Conclave
· York Rite College: Miami Valley #193, currently serving as Chancellor, Life Endowed Member
· St. Thomas of Alcon: INRI Chapel #17, currently serving as First Knight
· Knight Masons: Saint Clair Council #75 03/12/2011, PEC 2019
· Masonic Youth Groups: Supported Grandson, Member of Hamilton Chapter Order of DeMolay
· Other: North Bend Mark Lodge #1 02/23/2009, Past RWM, currently serving as Senior Overseer
o Apollo Dramatic Chapter Tabernacle #2 05/03/2011, last served as Principle Sojourner
o Council of Anointed Kings 10/05/2009
o Ohio Grand Council Order of High Priesthood 10/07/2009
o Grand Council R & SM of Ohio Research and Development 2010, Life Member
o Grand Council R & SM of Ohio Representative to the Grand Council of Western Canada 10/28/2010 to current
o Ohio Chapter of Research RAM, Life Member
o First Masonic District Officers Association, Past President 2020
o Hubert O. Auburn KYCH Club Past President
o Southwestern Division Knight Commander’s Association, currently serving as 2nd Vice President and Life Member
· Universal Craftsman Council of Engineers 10/30/2013, Past Worthy Chief 2020, currently serving as Grand Worthy Chief 2025-2026.
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