Joseph A. Walkes, Jr.
1933-2006

Joseph A. Walkes Jr., was born in New York City on November 12, 1933 to Unitha Lawrence Walkes and Joseph A Walkes, Sr., from St. Lucia, West Indies and Christianbol, Panama Canal Zone, respectively. His Grandfather, Cyril C. Walkes, was born in Barbados, West Indies, the paternal Walkes' homeland. He attended schools in New York City and later graduated from Park College, Parkville, Missouri with a BA in Criminal Justice Administration. He served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1973, when he retired at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He became an Administrative Assistant at the U.S. Penitentiary, Leavenworth, Kansas, retiring in December 1993. Bro. Walkes was made a Master Mason on October 15, 1965 in Cecil A. Ellis Sr., Lodge No. 110, Karlsruhe, Germany, on the rolls of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland. He served as Master of the Lodge from 1966-1967, and currently holds membership in King Solomon Lodge No. 15, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
 
He is an honorary member of Panama Canal Zone No. 175 and Amos Johnson Lodge No. 148, Kansas City, both Lodges on the rolls of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Missouri and an honorary member of Mount Olive Lodge No.3, Leavenworth, on the rolls of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Kansas, and an honorary member of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of North Carolina. He served the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Missouri as Editor of its official organ, The Masonic Light from 1968-1973. He was appointed Special D.D.G.M. (Military) for 1970 -1973 and in this capacity assisted in the formation of Canal Zone Military Lodge No. 174 in Panama and Pythagoras Lodge No. 175 in Athens, Greece.

He was Special Deputy at Large and Ambassador of Good Will for the Prince Hall Grand Lodge. In 1966, Bro.Walkes was elevated to the 32nd degree in Prince Hall Military Consistory No. 304, Frankfurt, Germany and presently holds membership in Kansas City Consistory No.7. He was coronated an Honorary 33rd in Los Angeles, California in 1978, and became an active Emeritus 33rd in 1982 by the United Supreme Council 33rd, AAS.R. Southern Jurisdiction. He serves that body as Editor of its official organ, The News Quarterly. He is also President of the Norris Wright Cuney Class of 1978. He is a member of Allah Temple No.6, A.E.AO.N.M.S. Kansas City, Missouri and is an Honorary Past Potentate, receiving that honor in 1982.

In 1985 he was appointed Imperial Historian of the Imperial Council of the Shrine, and in 1993 was honored by being named Honorary Past Imperial Potentate, at the 100th Anniversary of the Shrine in New Orleans. He received its Honor of Legion Award in August 1996. He is a member of Allah Temple No.6, A.E.AO.N.M.S. Kansas City, Missouri and is an Honorary Past Potentate, receiving that honor in 1982. In 1985 he was appointed Imperial Historian of the Imperial Council of the Shrine, and in 1993 was honored by being named Honorary Past Imperial Potentate, at the 100thAnniversary of the Shrine in New Orleans. He is a Past Patron of Mary T. Allen Chapter No. 71 O.E.S., Karlsruhe, Germany, and also Past Patron of Fidelity Chapter No.9 O.E.S. of Leavenworth, Kansas. He holds membership in Celestial Chapter No. 102, O.E.S., Kansas City, Missouri. He is also a charter member of Bathsheba Chapter No. 14, O.E.5. Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He received the Amaranth Degree in Mary E. Douglas Amaranth Court No.2, Mannheim, Germany in 1966. He is a member of George E. Jenkins Chapter No. 82, RAM, located in Rougemont, North Carolina. Member of Turner Means Commandery No.8, Knights Templar, also in North Carolina.
 
Special Note:

The late Joseph A. Walkes, Jr. made one of his final trips, before becoming very ill, to Detroit, MI. -- November 6, 2004. From that visit, hosted by Corinthian #38, he went on to give a similiar lecture in Harlem, NY. -- April 2005 hosted by the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York.