“For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish." Psalm 1:6
Greetings:
I was asked to tell you something about myself, I had nothing to say, but later decided to take you on a journey of my Masonic career. Then I was told to go a little further. Please find below a brief bio of my life.
I was born in Newark, New Jersey on August 18, 1953. I attended Westside High School, where I played on the Varsity Football Team as a freshman. My family moved to Jacksonville, FL where I enrolled at James Weldon Johnson High School. We later moved to East Orange, New Jersey where I attended East Orange High School.
In December of 1970, I joined the United States Marines Corp and served for four years. I got out in 1974 and enrolled at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. I moved to Ohio in 1975 and got married to my beautiful wife Mary Ann.
I was employed with B&O RR and later purchased my first home. In 1977 I joined AK Steel and purchased my second home in Forest Park, Ohio. In 1992 Mary Ann and I moved to Liberty Township, where we had a house built. 2005 I Received my BA in Business Administration Degree from Oakland University with 3.60 G.P.A. I retired from AK Steel in 2007 and currently works for John Morrell Foods in Maintenance. July 2, 2015 was my eighth year with the company.
I was raised on March 14, 1998, at Tried Stone Lodge No. 83, in Middletown, Ohio. I was elected Master of the Lodge in 2003, 2004, 2005, and again IN 2007. I guess I was trying to get it right. I joined Miami Consistory No. 26, October 2, 1999. I was elected Commander-In-Chief in 2010 and elevated to GIG 33rd Degree Mason the same year. I joined the Order of the Eastern Star in 2003, and was elected Worthy Patron in 2005. I joined Burning Bush Chapter No. 7, Salomon Johnson Council No. 4, and Boone Commandery No. 27, in 2005 in Columbus, at a York-Rite Weekend.
In 2005, I was appointed Grand Junior Deacon, by late MWPGM the Honorable Joe L. Smith. That was my first appointed to the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio
Although I have many tiles in the Masonic Order, I am not one who gets wrapped-up in titles. I will say however, that I am the following:
Now you know a little about me. Please call me VJ Thomas. Thank you for the opportunity to share this brief bio.
My brothers and sisters, Sir Knights, Companions, Princesses, Knights, Advisors, Royal Advisors and friends, Thank you, I love you all, and there is nothing you can do about it.
Fraternally,
Villani J. Thomas, PM #83
RW Deputy Grand Lecturer 4th Masonic District
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio
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