A Conversation with Past Grand Masters Stephen Oakley and Greg Clark
As we continue to live out this year’s theme of Legacy and Fellowship, we sat down with Past Grand Masters Stephen Oakley and Greg Clark to hear about their experiences, insights, and advice for current and future Freemasons.
Past Grand Master Stephen Oakley
Past Grand Master Stephen Oakley in Masonic regalia
Could you please share a bit about yourself and your time as a Freemason?
Before I joined, my best friend was a member of East Lodge No. 504. We hunted, fished, and did everything together. He belonged to East Lodge No. 504, and so, one day I asked him about Freemasonry. Next thing I knew, I was a Mason too.
I joined the fraternity in 1986, so I’ll be a 40 year-Mason this August. I spent many years at East Lodge No. 504 in Fairview Heights, Illinois, when I lived in Belleville. I even served as Master of the Lodge!
In East Lodge No. 504, if you become the Master of the Lodge, they give you a lifetime membership when you finish your term. It’s great to honor someone who served the community lodge this way, if a Lodge can afford it, of course.
I'm not active at East Lodge anymore because it's an hour and 20-minute drive from where I currently live, but I stay in touch with them. Now, I belong to Red Bud Lodge No. 427, and I've been Master of the Lodge several times. I'm on a committee now - I try not to be in charge anymore because the new men getting involved need to learn!
What are you most proud of from your time as Grand Master?
I was Grand Master during COVID, starting my tenure in October of 2019. Of course, COVID was raging in 2020. I shut everything down statewide - no in-person meetings. However, we allowed meetings to be conducted via Zoom. We even had our Grand Lodge Session online that year. It was great that we could still make progress, not only because we could conduct these meetings, but we also learned a lot about using a computer.
Separately, for several years before I became Grand Master, leadership had talked about the possibility of having an academy or training session for Wardens and Deacons. During my tenure, the discussion was put into action.
Right Worshipful Brother Wayne Spooner designed and facilitated the lodge officer development workshop program called, “A Roadmap to the East,” and it’s still in use. He travels throughout the state and conducts the program at different lodge locations. Every person I've talked to who's participated in this program has said that they learned a lot, and it was very important. So, in reality, that'll be my longest-lasting contribution.
What inspired you to become Grand Master?
After my tenure as Master of the Lodge, I was appointed by Most Worshipful Brother John Louden, PGM and served four or five years as District Deputy. I also served another four or five years as Area Deputy.
Around that time, the way the Grand Line members were selected changed. It used to be that you came off of the Board of Grand Examiners into the Junior Grand Warden position and made your way through the Line to become Grand Master. However, the Grand Lodge at the time decided that they wanted to open it to everybody, and that anyone could apply for Junior Grand Deacon which provided valuable learning time before being elected as Junior Grand Warden. I started to think, ‘Well, maybe I’m interested’.
I applied, but I wasn't selected. So, I applied again two years later. In the interview process, Past Grand Master Dan Yandel asked me, ‘What are you going to do if you don't get selected?’ I told him, “I hope to stay on as the Area Deputy Grand Master for two more years, and then I am going to buy a bass boat.”
When they called me and told me that I had been selected, he said, “I guess you don't get the bass boat!”
Being in the Grand Line was a great experience. I learned a lot from the men around me, and I aspired to follow in those footsteps.
Based on your experience as Grand Master, do you have any advice for the current Grand Master Joseph B. Ferrell or those serving in the future?
He’s doing a great job - the membership needs to see him, and he is doing the work to get out there. He also just oversaw a successful Conference of Grand Masters hosted by the Grand Lodge of Illinois A.F. & A.M.!
I also like that he is pushing the Grand Lecturer and Certified Lodge Instructor Programs because I think that's key to the future of Illinois Freemasonry. Ritual and floor work are a big part of what we are, and I think it's important that we keep those going.
This year, we are focusing on Legacy and Fellowship. How does that theme resonate with you and your purpose as a Mason?
I think it’s very important. I've always told lodges that they needed to have a lodge historian to record their legacy. If they don’t, 15 years down the road, nobody knows about the great things they did!
How do you stay busy now that you’re no longer in the Grand Lodge line of leadership?
I'm on the investment committee at Red Bud Lodge No. 427, so I try to make their stated meeting once a month.
Otherwise, my wife, Deb, has been ill, and so I spend most of my time caring for her. It's a big job, but she does kick me out of the house every once in a while. There's a group of us that gets together on Wednesdays and Thursdays– from 8 in the morning until about noon, we play rummy!
Is there an interesting memory from Lodge that stands out in your mind?
I know a lot of men who think they haven’t changed since joining the fraternity. One time, we were sitting around the table talking about that. Our wives were with us, and I said, “Well, I haven't changed a bit.”
And my wife started laughing. And she said, “Oh, yes, you have.”
I said, “For the good or for the worse?”
She said, “For the good.”
That's the effect our fraternity has on all of us, whether we know it or not. The only time change doesn’t happen is when you aren’t active at all. My one piece of advice: Go to lodge. You don't have to be there every time the doors open, but be there every once in a while when you can.
Past Grand Master Greg Clark
Past Grand Master Greg Clark
Could you please share a bit about yourself and your time as a Freemason?
I’m a 51-year member, having joined in 1974.
That year, I was 21-years-old. I was sitting at the dinner table with my parents, and my dad laid a paper in front of me and told me to sign it. I didn’t know what I was getting into, but it was a petition to join Bloomington Lodge No. 43.
I progressed through my Masonic journey with my dad as a coach, and it was a trying experience! My dad was a stickler (and a member of the Board of Grand Examiners). I learned in a different way than he taught, so we butted heads – I almost quit after the first degree! However, we found our way, and I finished all three degrees. I’m glad he didn’t give up on me.
What are you most proud of from your time as Grand Master?
Thinking back on what happened, so much transpired. I was Grand Master from 2017 to 2019, but I’m also a proud Senior DeMolay. I was the first Grand Master in the United States to ever invite DeMolays (who were active members of this Masonic Youth Group and Master Masons) to perform the opening ritual of our Grand Lodge Annual Meeting. It built a stronger relationship and helped DeMolay grow in Illinois.
What inspired you to become Grand Master?
I was in the military for a while. When I came back home, I got involved in Freemasonry and eventually became Master of the Lodge. I was going to Grand Lodge events and got to know men in leadership. I wanted to do what I could to help the fraternity grow and make it as good an organization as I could. Eventually, I was talking with Past Grand Master Benny Grisham when he was Grand Secretary, and he told me to put my name in for Junior Grand Deacon. The rest is history!
Based on your experience as Grand Master, do you have any advice for current Grand Master Joseph B. Ferrell or those serving in the future?
As a Freemason, how your community perceives your integrity is a key element. Lead by example. Gather all the facts before judging and making a snap decision. Have empathy and understanding for members.
How do you stay busy now that you’re no longer in the Grand Lodge line of leadership?
I have been blessed in so many different ways. My wife and I bought a home in Florida, so we are now known as snowbirds. I keep busy trying to upkeep our properties in Illinois and in Florida.
I have no problem filling the day with things to do… I play golf (but I wish I could play better)!
Is there an interesting memory from Lodge that stands out in your mind?
Being part of the decision to close the Masonic Children’s Home locations stands out. They were helping around 40 children in Illinois, but we had a whole lot more members with children who also needed assistance. We were able to help more people with a new program, the Illinois Masonic Children’s Assistance Program (IMCAP). Members weren't sure it was the right thing to do at the time, but it was ultimately the right choice.