Finus Branham

Past Master Biography: Finus Jack Branham Sr. (1933 – 2023) Past Master: Lubbock Lodge No. 1392 & Littlefield Lodge No. 1161 District Deputy Grand Master: District 97 & 93-A Golden Trowel Recipient: (3x Recipient) I. Life & Career Early Life & Family Born in Winters, Texas, on March 21, 1933, to Troy Washington Branham and Effie Bell Mayfield, Finus was a devout steward of God and a cherished member of Broadway Church of Christ. He was married to his beloved wife, Joyce Tomlinson Branham, for 69 years. Together they built a large, loving family, including three children (Finus Jr., Cindy, Frances, and Tammy), 6 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Professional Life & Military Service Finus dedicated four years of service to the United States Air Force before pursuing higher education. He earned both a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education and a Master’s degree from Texas Tech University. A passionate educator, he spent 35 years teaching Agriculture Education, where he pioneered the Ag Co-op program for Texas high schools. His love for agriculture extended to his personal life, where he raised Southdown sheep and served as Secretary/Treasurer for the Texas Southdown Breeders Association for 21 years. After retiring from teaching, he worked for 22 years at Economy Mills feed store. II. Masonic Journey Degree Work Initiated (EA): April 16, 1963 — Littlefield No. 1161 Passed (FC): May 28, 1963 — Littlefield No. 1161 Raised (MM): June 25, 1963 — Littlefield No. 1161 Memberships & Affiliations Lubbock Lodge No. 1392: Affiliated Dual Member (Oct 10, 1969); Endowed Member (Sept 30, 2005) Wolfforth-Frenship No. 1447: Plural Membership (Feb 8, 2021) Littlefield Lodge No. 1161: Mother Lodge York Rite: Member of Lubbock York Rite Bodies III. Service Record & Offices Held Brother Branham was a dedicated servant of the Craft, known across West Texas for his proficiency. Remarkably, at the age of 87, he performed the work to achieve all three degrees at Wolfforth-Frenship Lodge No. 1447. Grand Lodge of Texas Service District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM): District 97 (2014–2015, 2022–2023) District 93-A (2011–2012) District Instructor (DI) - District 97: Served continuously from 2012 through 2024. Lodge Leadership Lubbock Lodge No. 1392: Worshipful Master: 1973–1974 Treasurer: Served continuously from 2011 to 2024 (13 terms). Senior Warden: 1971–1973 Marshal: 2006–2011 Junior Steward: 1970–1971 Tiler: 1974–1975 Littlefield Lodge No. 1161: Worshipful Master: 2014–2018 (4 consecutive terms) Wolfforth-Frenship Lodge No. 1447: Marshal: 2022–2024 Esoteric Certifications (Certificate History) Class A (3-Year): Held continuously from 2013 through 2026. Class B (1-Year): 2009–2010 IV. In Memoriam Brother Finus Branham laid down his working tools on November 23, 2023, at the age of 90. Services: Visitation and Celebration of Life were held at Resthaven Funeral Home, Lubbock, Texas. Interment: Resthaven Memorial Park, November 30, 2023. Memorial Contributions: Donations in his memory were directed to Scottish Rite For Children.