3 Men received the 33rd and last Degree of Freemasonry
On November 6th, 2021, three Master Masons from the Valley of Joplin Scottish Rite received the 33° and Last Degree (Inspector General Honorary) at the Valley of Joplin Scottish Rite Cathedral in Joplin MO. They are:
- James K. Gilbert – Joplin
- Christopher M. Nickle – Carthage
- Kenneth J. O’Dell – Richland
These men were among 13 Scottish Rite masons who received this honor state wide and among only 372, of the 240,000 Scottish Rite Masons in the southern jurisdiction, who received this honor.
The Thirty-third and last Degree is conferred by the Supreme Council upon less than 1% of its Scottish Rite members in recognition of their outstanding work in the Rite or in public life. The 33° members are chosen from those who have previously received the rank and decoration of Knight Commander Court of Honor. The 33° cannot be asked for and if asked for, must be refused. At its bi-biennial session the Supreme Council elects members of the Rite to receive the Degree.
