The last of the Mohicans He was born to a farmer family at Honaker, Virginia, U.S.A. on August 31, 1911. Twenty-five years later, he obtained the degree of Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Firm in his resolve to acquire mastery in his profession, he took basic electronics at Harvard University, and advanced studies at the Radar School in Camp Murphy, Florida. He also took an advanced management program under the Faculty of Harvard University in Baguio City. He worked as power engineer at the Kingsport Power Company, Kingsport, Tennessee from 1936 to 1940, and as commercial manager from 1946 to 1947. In 1948 he joined the Manila Electric Company, where he held various positions, including those of assistant electrical manager; commercial manager; sales and services manager, and senior manager of General Services. From 1941 to 1946 he served in the United States Armed Forces as 1st Lt. Infantry of the Training Recruits and 1st Lt. Signal Corps, School and Training Troops. From 1943 to 1945 he served in the Southwest Pacific Theatre as Captain of the Signal Corps, covering Australia and New Guinea. Then he became a Major of the Signal Corps and commanded the Signal Aircraft Warning Battalion in New Guinea and Leyte, Philippines. Later he became Assistant Signal Officer of the Fifth Fighter Company (Leyte), as well as Executive Officer, Aircraft Control and Warning Group (Pangasinan). In 1946 he was honorably discharged as Major, and 1962 he was retired in Active Reserve, U.S. Army as Lt. Col. With Kathryn Brandt, whom he married in 1943, he was blessed with a son, John Gregory , and a daughter, Sherill Anne Zaragoza. He was active in church work, too. He served as a Church Council member and a Past Chairman of the Board of Elders as well as of the Membership Committee of the Union of Churches of Manila. To various clubs, he belonged: Manila Polo Club; Manila Yacht Club; Elks Club of Manila; Charter Member and Past Vice President, Manila Lions Club; Charter Member and Past President, Kiwanis Club of Manila; Past President, American Association of the Philippines; Past Member, Board of Directors of Philippine Eye Bank; Kingsport (Tennessee) Lions Club; member, Board of Directors, Children’s Garden. This last of the “Mohicans” among the American Grand Masters put his energies into the Craft. Here is a subsequent confession of his: …as the last American Grand Master under the old agreement made many years ago, I can tell you I will do my best with the help of God and my officers to administer the Grand Lodge for the greatest good. John saw the first light of Masonry in Manila Lodge No. 1, on November 20,1956. He was passed on January 8,1957, and raised on February 19 of the same year. In 1962 he became Worshipful Master of his lodge, then in May 1967, he became an MRS in the Manila Bodies. He was received, admitted, and constituted a Noble of the Shrine in Islam Temple, AAO.NMS of San Francisco, California on October 20,1973 “I believe that every master mason can truthfully say that one of the wisest moves he ever made was to petition a lodge for membership,” this ardent believer in the Craft once declared. And he continued: …And after being made a master mason and reflecting upon the wisdom of those who have gone before, everyone has become a better man. He has become more knowledgeable in the meaning of honor, in the meaning of integrity, in the meaning of fellowman, in the meaning of Brother and in the meaning of sister. He has become more respectful of his Maker, of his fellow man and of the world around him. He has better knowledge of how to meet the problems that confront him, the problems of life itself. This philosophy, he preached everywhere – exhorting his Brethren to be better masons. Is it a surprise, then, that he would later write the statement below?’ I implore all units of Masonry in this jurisdiction to put away any and all small, petty, time-consuming and non-producing items of discord. In some places we have too many critics and not enough workers. Critics have not been known to building lasting and beautiful edifices or works.