The next monthly meeting of the Tinker Chapter #43 National Sojourners will be on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at the Tinker Club  at 1800 hours.    There are three new members of Tinker Chapter #43,  John King and Greg Fowler and Elwood Isaacs.  We are pleased to have these three gentlemen a part of the group.   December meeting minutes are in the link to the right and above.         Happy New Year !!
The Nathanael Greene Camp, Heroes of ‘76 will have their next meeting, ….  Camp Commander is Bill Bradley.  All Ladies please attend and go out together.
The Flag Team needs additional Heroes to step forth, acquire a uniform and lend a helping hand.   To purchase a colonial uniform see above link on the right- Heroes of ‘76.    There will be a Flag Ceremony in April, in Shawnee, Okla.,  for The Teacher of the Year Award.
Ltc. Oren Lee Peters, member of Tinker Chapter #4, National Sojourners Inc. is congratulated by Rep. Tom Cole at his induction into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 in OKC.  Brother Peters was honored for his distinguished service in WWII and his honorable service in the military and many affiliated social and patriotic organizations throughout his life.    Note photo on the right.

September 15, 2012, in Muskogee, will a great opportunity for Entered Apprentices  to make advancement.

  There are several members of the Tinker Chapter #43
in distress.     Please say a private prayer for the health
and strength of the following members and their families :   Linda Isaacs recently had back surgery and rehab.  Max Tatum is still in recovery from surgery.

      Illus. Sir Joe Jones, 72, went to his eternal home January 1, 2011, due to complications after heart surgery.  He was born  February 13, 1938 to Lovel and Mary Frances Jones in Millersville, TN.  He was a Navy veteran, played for the Dallas Texans, until injured and was employed by Kraft Foods for 10 years.  In 1969, he and his wife Joyce, founded Sani-Sheen System, Inc.  He was a member of Nova Chapter Eastern Star, Britton Masonic Lodge, Valley of Guthrie Scottish Rite, India Shrine and Chapel Hill United Methodist Church.  He served as President of Association of Cleaning Specialists in 1994 and Potentate of India Shrine in 2008.  He was on the Board of Governors for Shriners Burn Hospice in Galveston, where he loved helping kids.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jack and Billy and grandson Brent O’Brien.  He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joyce, son Jeff and wife Lori, son Jere and financee LaToya, daughter Jennifer and husband Shawn Jones.  Grandchildren Nichole and Jacob Jones, Brooke Vann and Brandon O’Brien.  Brother Ernest and wife Sheila, sister Nancy Edwards and husband Gene, mother-in-law Opal Maynor, many nieces, nephews and cousins and many, many friends.  He was a loving and devoted husband and father and cherished his family.  He enjoyed working and work was his hobby.  He was a great man from the old school where your word was your bond and a handshake was a contract.  He was an avid John Wayne, Johnny Cash, and Dallas Cowboys fan.  Visitation Monday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm with family available 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Smith & Kernke, 14624 N. May.  Service Tuesday 10:00 am at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 2717 W. Hefner, with Interment at Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to India Shrine Transportation Fund, 3601 NW 36th, OKC, 73112.

 ADCS Lewis E. Keltch, 85, born July 26, 1925 and passed away November, 2010. His wife’s name is Jean.  US Navy, Hero. He was a National Sojourner for 8 years.  After graduating from Blackwell High school in 1943, Lewis joined the U.S. Navy, spending 31 years at duty stations around the world, always seeking out historical sights and places of interest wherever he went.  Earning a pilot’s license at the age of 16 and taking his mother for a flight was one of the great enjoyments as well as gardening, crocheting, repairing aircrafts and flying.  Lewis was a 32 Degree mason member in Order of Eastern Star, Scottish Rite, VFW, American Legion, Fleet Reserve, a Sojourner and attended Goodrich United Methodist Church.

 Major Leo Layton Johnson, 91,  passed away September 22, 2010.  He was born in Wynnewood  and graduated from Joy High School in 1938.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 1940, at Fort Sill and retired from the military in October 1961.   Major Johnson served in WWII and in the Korean Conflict.  Leo and his wife Pauline met on a blind date and they were married in January of 1943.  They had two sons, Ronald and Terry.  Leo recieved many medals and ribbons for his great service of our country, among them are the Medal of Honor, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.  He was very active in all phases of Masonry and served as DDGM.  Leo also recieved the Masonic Medal of Honor in 1999.  Leo Johnson was a member of Stratford Lodge #118 and a Past Patron of Pauls Valley Chapter 185. Leo was a 9 year member of National Sojourners, Tinker Chapter 43.  Leo greatly enjoyed fishing and hunting.  Leo and his son spent time at Lake Texoma stripper fishing and they went deer hunting every fall.   Services were held September 27 at the First Methodist Church of Stratford, Oklahoma.

 LTC Robert Whitaker, USAF, Ret., recently passed away.   Bob was 92 years old.  He was born on October 31, 1918 in Dallas, Texas.   Bob died following a fall and its complications.   He was a WWII Veteran,  served in North Africa and flew 48 missions.  Bob retired from the Air Force in 1961.  Bob has been a Mason and a Sojourner for 55 years.  He loved his family gatherings, history, sports and special Tuesdays.  Robert Whitaker was indeed an Officer and a Gentleman.  Bob was a Past Chapter President for Tinker Chapter #43, National Sojourners.  He was also a Past Camp Commander for the Nathanael Greene Camp of Heroes of ‘76.  He was preceeded in death by his loving wife, Dosha.

 Col Maurice A. Spenny, USAF, Ret, recently passed away. He was 90 years old.  Tuesday evening, February 23, 2010, there will be a viewing at Advantage Funeral Home, Air Depot Chapel,  located at 412 N. Air Depot Blvd and Silver Meadow.  Services will be held at St. Mark Lutheran Church, on 751 E Reno at 1:00 pm.  Interment will follow the services at the Arlington Memorial Gardens, located at 3400 North Midwest Blvd.  CMSGT Bob Shipe will perform the Masonic Funeral.  The Tinker Honor Guard will be in attendance.  Col. Spenny was in the US Air Force for 33 years.  Moe served in  WWII, Korean and Viet Nam wars.  He recieved many medals, rewards and commendations, including the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit.   Moe was a Master Mason and also a member in perpetuity of the National Sojourners, Tinker Chapter #43  for 35 years and in the Heroes of ‘76  for 26 years.  He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 9969 in Del City,  American Legion Post 0170, B.P.O.E. for 54 years, and currently with the Elks MWC 1890 and DAV Mid-Del 39, among other professional and service related organizations.  Col Spenny and his wife, Mildred, were married for a glorious 65 years.  They had two sons, Ron and Mark.  Col Spenny tried to be the best mentor to his sons and their best friend.  His wife and sons are very proud of their husband and father.  The home address is 3500 Woodvale Drive, Midwest City, Ok 73110-3845

                                                                                   
     2010    Major Leo L. Johnson
                                   LTC Robert N. Whitaker
Col Maurice A. Spenny        

 2009 -  SSgt James R. Onkst, PGM
Major William H. Jones
PO1 Henry L Stewart

 2008 - MSGT Robert Williams              2007 - Ronald E Johnson, PGM
CPT Jacklyn H Lucas                             LCDR Ola A Dodson
LTC Daniel G. Cook                               COL James E Gable
Joseph N Tyre

2006 -MG Fred A Daugherty, PSGIG 33
 LTC Charles W Eckels
COL John A Spencer, Past National President

2004 - COL Mack E Barbour
LTC Lloyd F Nickerson

2003 - CMSGT William F Farris                2002 - LTC Herbert O’Neil
2LT Arthur E Powell
Doc Stanley                                                                   

2001 - J.G. Armstrong                                  2000 - LTJG Ray K Babb
LTC Charles T Ketchel                                    LTC Harold L Moore
LT Bernard C Nolan                                    CPT William E Sheppard                 

1999 - Emery J Mosher                                 1998 - MAJ Albert Pegram

1993 - Col William E Whiteaker             1990 - LTC Robert W Hillier