Most Excellent Grand High Priest
Bobby R. Thompson Jr.
M.E.G.H.P Thompson began his Masonic travels in 1993, in the Oklahoma Jurisdiction where he was initiated and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Luther Lodge # 13, Luther, Oklahoma. Shortly thereafter he was appointed to serve as Junior Deacon, and then the following year as Senior Deacon. He was later elected as the Junior Warden and then Worshipful Master of the lodge for the next three years and grew the membership with over thirty new brothers, who would later be spun off to create King Solomon Lodge #57 in Norman, OK. He was appointed and served as the Grand Organizer for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oklahoma for 23 years.
In 1996, Comp. Thompson was exalted as a Holy Royal Arch Mason in Cody H. Rhymes Chapter # 21, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where he was elected and served as Scribe, King and Excellent High Priest over the following years. In 1996, he was appointed and served as District Deputy Grand High Priest for District Four until he was elected as Grand Scribe for the Oklahoma Jurisdiction back in 1997. He has served as the Right Excellent Grand King for the 11 years, and Right Excellent Deputy Grand High Priest for 1 year and currently serves as the Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Rev. Joseph T. Thornton Grand Chapter, Holy Royal Arch Masons.
In 1999, with the blessings of the Most Worshipful Grand Master Deary Vaughn, The Most Excellent Grand High Priest James Hubbard, and the Right Eminent Grand Commander Anthony Bowens, he reestablished the stateside Royal and Select Council, and with the members of the ninth Masonic District in OKC, OK formed Sandy Smiley Council #14, where he was elected as its’ first Thrice Illustrious Master. Later that year, he was appointed as the first Stateside Deputy Grand Thrice Illustrious Master by the Right Eminent Grand Commander Bowens.
Sir Knight Thompson was dubbed a Sir Knight in Midwest Commandery # 4 Knights Templar, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1996. After serving in appointed offices over the years, he was later elected and served in the following seats as Recorder, Capt. General and Eminent Commander.
Bro. Thompson is a founding member (97) of the University of Oklahoma’s Gamma Kappa Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. He is also a 15 -year Fellow of the Grand College of Rites of the United States of America. He is a Noble of Alaraf Temple #20, Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
SGIG Thompson was advanced to the 32° in Great Western Consistory # 34, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was elevated to the 33° in 2006 in Washington, D.C. He was coroneted as a Sovereign Grand Inspector General (SGIG) in Jacksonville, Florida in 2017.
Knight Thompson was inducted into the Knights of the York Cross of Honor (KYCH) order in June of 2006. He initiated the action, through Convent General, U.S.A., P.H.A. Knights of the York Cross of Honor (KYCH), to establish that Order in the Oklahoma Jurisdiction. He was successful in his efforts which resulted in the establishment of Michael E. Steele Priory # 9. He was elected as the first Eminent Prior of the Michael Steele Priory # 9, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He has served in appointed positions in the Convent General as Jurisdictional Deputy Grand Master General, and 1st Lecturer. He was then elected and has served through various positions in the line of the elected staff for the Convent General, U.S.A., P.H.A. Knight of the York Cross of Honor. On May 5, 2017, Knight Thompson was elected and served as the 8th Most Eminent Grand Master General of the Convent General, U.S.A., P.H.A. Knight of the York Cross of Honor until May 2019. During his terms of office, he created the Convent General Meritorious Service Award, and led the Convent General, U.S.A., P.H.A. Knight of the York Cross of Honor into a mutual recognition with that of the Convent General, Knights of the York Cross of Honour and Most Eminent Grand Master General Bryce Hildreth.
Frater Thompson was invited into the Hawaiian College of the Societas Rosicrucian a in Civita Tibus Foederati's in June of 2021. He is a 7th Grade member in the order and has served as the First Ancient, and currently serves as the Second Ancient of the local body.
Knight Priest Thompson was ordained as a Holy Royal Arch Templar Priest on February 9, 2024. He, along with 5 others chosen PHA members, were invited into the order and placed in Tabernacle “A” of the Grand College of America Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests.
M.E.G.H.P Thompson has received numerous awards throughout his Masonic career which are as follows:
• Two –Time winner of the Herman E. Duncan Grand Council & Commandery Recorder of the Year.
• The Rev. Joseph T. Thornton Grand Chapter of Holy Royal Arch Mason’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
• The Convent General, USA, Inc., PHA KYCH’s Leonard B. Robertson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
• Honorary Past Grand High Priest of the Most Excellent Prince Hall Grand Chapter of Holy Royal Arch Masons of Texas.
• Honorary Past Grand Commander of the Lone Star Grand Commandery.
• Honored and awarded the Ish Sodi Award by the Most Illustrious Prince Hall Grand Council of Georgia, Royal and Select Masters.
• Honorary Past Grand High Priest of the Rev. Joseph T. Thornton Grand Chapter of Holy Royal Arch Masons, Jurisdiction of Oklahoma.
• Honorary Past Potentate by the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
• Honorary Past Grand Thrice Illustrious Master of the Most Illustrious Prince Hall Grand Council of Texas, Royal and Select Masters, PHA.
• Honored as an Honorary member of Lily of the Valley Priory #1, Monroe, NC by PGMG D. Allen Surratt.
• Honored with the award and Badge of the Meritorious Service Award of the Convent General.
• Honored with the title and Badge of Knight of the Grand Cross (KGC) of the Convent General.
• Honorary Past Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska.
• Honored and Awarded the Knight Commander of the Temple (KCT) Award by the Grand Encampment Knight Templars, USA and Its Jurisdiction, PHA, Inc.
• Honorary Past Grand Commander of the First Independent Grand Commandery of Knights Templar, State of Kentucky, PHA.
• Honored with the title and Quadrant (Red) of Knight of the Grand Cross of Honor (KYGCH).
• Honored and awarded the title of Most Illustrious Honorary Past General Conference Thrice. Illustrious Grand Master by General Grand Conference Thrice Illustrious Grand Master Joel Mends at the 2024 annual session.
• Honored and awarded the title of Most Eminent Honorary Past Grand Master by the Most Eminent Grand Master Robert Glenn at the 2024 annual session.
• Honored and awarded the title of Honorary Past General Grand High Priest by General Conference Grand High Priest Nathaniel Degraffenreidt at the 2024 annual session.
In 1996, Comp. Thompson was exalted as a Holy Royal Arch Mason in Cody H. Rhymes Chapter # 21, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where he was elected and served as Scribe, King and Excellent High Priest over the following years. In 1996, he was appointed and served as District Deputy Grand High Priest for District Four until he was elected as Grand Scribe for the Oklahoma Jurisdiction back in 1997. He has served as the Right Excellent Grand King for the 11 years, and Right Excellent Deputy Grand High Priest for 1 year and currently serves as the Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Rev. Joseph T. Thornton Grand Chapter, Holy Royal Arch Masons.
In 1999, with the blessings of the Most Worshipful Grand Master Deary Vaughn, The Most Excellent Grand High Priest James Hubbard, and the Right Eminent Grand Commander Anthony Bowens, he reestablished the stateside Royal and Select Council, and with the members of the ninth Masonic District in OKC, OK formed Sandy Smiley Council #14, where he was elected as its’ first Thrice Illustrious Master. Later that year, he was appointed as the first Stateside Deputy Grand Thrice Illustrious Master by the Right Eminent Grand Commander Bowens.
Sir Knight Thompson was dubbed a Sir Knight in Midwest Commandery # 4 Knights Templar, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1996. After serving in appointed offices over the years, he was later elected and served in the following seats as Recorder, Capt. General and Eminent Commander.
Bro. Thompson is a founding member (97) of the University of Oklahoma’s Gamma Kappa Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. He is also a 15 -year Fellow of the Grand College of Rites of the United States of America. He is a Noble of Alaraf Temple #20, Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
SGIG Thompson was advanced to the 32° in Great Western Consistory # 34, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was elevated to the 33° in 2006 in Washington, D.C. He was coroneted as a Sovereign Grand Inspector General (SGIG) in Jacksonville, Florida in 2017.
Knight Thompson was inducted into the Knights of the York Cross of Honor (KYCH) order in June of 2006. He initiated the action, through Convent General, U.S.A., P.H.A. Knights of the York Cross of Honor (KYCH), to establish that Order in the Oklahoma Jurisdiction. He was successful in his efforts which resulted in the establishment of Michael E. Steele Priory # 9. He was elected as the first Eminent Prior of the Michael Steele Priory # 9, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He has served in appointed positions in the Convent General as Jurisdictional Deputy Grand Master General, and 1st Lecturer. He was then elected and has served through various positions in the line of the elected staff for the Convent General, U.S.A., P.H.A. Knight of the York Cross of Honor. On May 5, 2017, Knight Thompson was elected and served as the 8th Most Eminent Grand Master General of the Convent General, U.S.A., P.H.A. Knight of the York Cross of Honor until May 2019. During his terms of office, he created the Convent General Meritorious Service Award, and led the Convent General, U.S.A., P.H.A. Knight of the York Cross of Honor into a mutual recognition with that of the Convent General, Knights of the York Cross of Honour and Most Eminent Grand Master General Bryce Hildreth.
Frater Thompson was invited into the Hawaiian College of the Societas Rosicrucian a in Civita Tibus Foederati's in June of 2021. He is a 7th Grade member in the order and has served as the First Ancient, and currently serves as the Second Ancient of the local body.
Knight Priest Thompson was ordained as a Holy Royal Arch Templar Priest on February 9, 2024. He, along with 5 others chosen PHA members, were invited into the order and placed in Tabernacle “A” of the Grand College of America Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests.
M.E.G.H.P Thompson has received numerous awards throughout his Masonic career which are as follows:
• Two –Time winner of the Herman E. Duncan Grand Council & Commandery Recorder of the Year.
• The Rev. Joseph T. Thornton Grand Chapter of Holy Royal Arch Mason’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
• The Convent General, USA, Inc., PHA KYCH’s Leonard B. Robertson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
• Honorary Past Grand High Priest of the Most Excellent Prince Hall Grand Chapter of Holy Royal Arch Masons of Texas.
• Honorary Past Grand Commander of the Lone Star Grand Commandery.
• Honored and awarded the Ish Sodi Award by the Most Illustrious Prince Hall Grand Council of Georgia, Royal and Select Masters.
• Honorary Past Grand High Priest of the Rev. Joseph T. Thornton Grand Chapter of Holy Royal Arch Masons, Jurisdiction of Oklahoma.
• Honorary Past Potentate by the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
• Honorary Past Grand Thrice Illustrious Master of the Most Illustrious Prince Hall Grand Council of Texas, Royal and Select Masters, PHA.
• Honored as an Honorary member of Lily of the Valley Priory #1, Monroe, NC by PGMG D. Allen Surratt.
• Honored with the award and Badge of the Meritorious Service Award of the Convent General.
• Honored with the title and Badge of Knight of the Grand Cross (KGC) of the Convent General.
• Honorary Past Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska.
• Honored and Awarded the Knight Commander of the Temple (KCT) Award by the Grand Encampment Knight Templars, USA and Its Jurisdiction, PHA, Inc.
• Honorary Past Grand Commander of the First Independent Grand Commandery of Knights Templar, State of Kentucky, PHA.
• Honored with the title and Quadrant (Red) of Knight of the Grand Cross of Honor (KYGCH).
• Honored and awarded the title of Most Illustrious Honorary Past General Conference Thrice. Illustrious Grand Master by General Grand Conference Thrice Illustrious Grand Master Joel Mends at the 2024 annual session.
• Honored and awarded the title of Most Eminent Honorary Past Grand Master by the Most Eminent Grand Master Robert Glenn at the 2024 annual session.
• Honored and awarded the title of Honorary Past General Grand High Priest by General Conference Grand High Priest Nathaniel Degraffenreidt at the 2024 annual session.