Eminent Knight James Graham Howie, P.Prov.Gt.Reg.
14th July 1943 – 30th September 2021
It is with great regret that the Provincial Priory reports the passing of Eminent Knight James Graham Howie on 30th September 2021.
Graham was initiated into Freemasonry in April 1974 when he joined Bothal Lodge No 4116. Subsequently passed and raised, he remained an active member of the Lodge until his death.
He acted as Master of the Lodge in 1984 as a consequence of which he was first appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon in 1993, before promotion to Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer in 2002.
He joined Viking Lodge No 7934 in 2001 and, in this Lodge, he acted as Master on two occasions, in 2013 and again in 2019, making him their reigning Master at the time of his death. For his exceptional service to the Craft, he was further promoted in 2017 to the rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden.
He was, for a period of time, also a member of the Northumbrian Masters Lodge No 3477 from 1995 to 2003.
He was exalted into the Royal Arch in Ashington Chapter No 2868 in May 1981, acting as its First Principal in 1996 and was appointed to Past Provincial Assistant Grand Sojourner in 2000. He was a member of several Orders under Mark Masons’ Hall. He was advanced in the Mark when he joined Farne Mark Lodge No 1540 in April 1994, remaining a member until his death.
Additionally he was a member of Newbiggin by the Sea Mark Lodge No 1756 and Adoniram Mark Lodge No 1483. He subsequently held the Provincial rank of Past Provincial Grand Junior Warden in the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Northumberland.
He was elevated into the Order of Royal Ark Mariners in Ashington Lodge of RAM’s in 1997 and was later a Founding member of Farne Lodge of RAM’s in 1999. He held Provincial Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank.
He joined our own Templar Order when he was installed a Knight of the Temple in Wudcestre Preceptory No 537 in 1988 and later was a joining member of the Preceptory of Tutelage No 633.
He was the Preceptor of Wudcestre in 2001 and, as a consequence of his service to the Order, he was first appointed to the rank of Provincial Captain of the Guard before promotion to Past Provincial Standard Bearer (Beauceant) and further promotion to Past Provincial Registrar in 2010.
The Provincial Priory of Northumberland is sad to report his sudden death and his family and friends will remain foremost in our thoughts and prayers.
Kevin Stannard
Provincial Prior