Ponderosa Lodge No. 700

The end of WW II brought a surge in Masonry to Fresno in a fashion similar to what had occurred at the end of WW I.  There was a need for an additional Lodge to help confer all of the degrees on all of the applicants.  An agreement was reached that the five Lodges in Fresno and Clovis would each contribute at least three members who would then be the Charter Members of this newly formed Lodge.  While the local Lodges did contribute, local Masons with membership from all over constituted the original 15 Charter Members.  On August 5, 1948, Most Worshipful Chester H. Warlow, the California Grand Master (and Fresno native) and other grand officers performed the Ceremony to Constitute (Under Dispensation) Ponderosa Lodge in Fresno.  Other local Masons then affiliated with this new Lodge as well as newly raised members of Ponderosa UD.  When not too busy, Ponderosa Lodge also helped other local Lodges by conferring courtesy degrees for them.  In due time Ponderosa Lodge would be granted a Charter and assigned number 700.

Unlike the other Lodges in Fresno which met either at the Masonic Temple on Merced Street, or the Scottish Rite facility on 'L' Street, Ponderosa had no place to hold meetings so with the help of many fund raising events and its members, it purchased its own temple building at 11 San Pablo Avenue in Fresno, at the corner of San Pablo and Divisadero streets.  The historic building had been home to The First Congregational Church, built during the early 1900's and used as such until 1951.  In that year, the building was purchased by Ponderosa Lodge and used as a temple facility until April 18, 1971.

Thereafter, Ponderosa Lodge alternated meeting place between the Fresno Masonic Center on East Shields Avenue, Clovis Masonic Temple, and the Las Palmas Masonic Center on East Clinton Avenue.  On April 1, 1991, Ponderosa Lodge No. 700 officially consolidated with Las Palmas No. 366, combining assets and resources.  The combined Lodge became known as Las Palmas-Ponderosa Lodge No. 366.

This list is a work in progress and if anyone has pictures or information on any of these past masters, please contact the Lodge Secretary so that your information and pictures can be added to this page.

1948 & 1949 Joseph Francis Coyle  (1905 - 1979)  Brother Coyle, a native of Freesno, was initiated in Center Lodge No. 465 on January 18, 1939, passed on April 12 and raised on September 27, 1939.  He was one of the members of Center Lodge who helped form Ponderosa Lodge.  He was employed by Valley Electric Supply as their Supervisor of operations.

1950 Roeliffe Floyd Eldridge  (1907 - 1983)  Brother Eldridge was born in Mansfield, Ohio and after moving to Fresno was initiated in Sun Garden Lodge No. 530 on October 26, 1944, passed on February 1, 1945 and raised on April 5, 1945.  He was one of the members of Sun Garden Lodge who helped form Ponderosa Lodge.  He was the manager of the Blackstone Plumbing Company. 

1951 Paul Claredon McCorkle   (1890 - 1970) Brother McCorkle was initiated in Las Palmas Lodge on May 25, 1922, passed on January 25, 1923 and raised on March 2, 1923.  He was one of the members of Las Palmas who helped form Ponderosa Lodge.  Brother McCorkle was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and after moving to Fresno became an electrician with San Joaquin Light & Power and later Pacific Gas & Electric. 

1952  Edgar Theodore Ford  (1904 - 1991)  Brother Ford was initiated in Fresno Lodge No. 247 on June 30, 1944, passed on October 6 and raised on December 1, 1944.  He was one of the members of Fresno Lodge that helped form Ponderosa Lodge.  He was born in Wichita, Kansas and was employed by The County of Fresno as a Chief Road Accountant.

1953 & 1954  Donald James Dick   (1904 - 1980)  Brother Dick was initiated in Las Palmas Lodge on November 1, 1928, passed on February 28, 1929 and raised on April 4, 1929.  His father had been Master of Las Palmas in 1916.  Brother Dick was one of the four members of Las Palmas who helped form Ponderosa Lodge.  Brother Dick was born and raised in Fresno and worked as a plumber with Dick Plumbing.

Within two years of Ponderosa Lodge being formed, they owned their own Temple.  This was mainly due to the fund raising efforts of Brother Dick and Brother Coyle.

1955  Arthur Hayes Shipley  (1893 - 1986)  Brother Shipley was born in Harrison, Arkansas and moved to Fresno in 1929 after having served in WWI.  He was one of the members of Fresno Lodge No. 247 who helped form Ponderosa Lodge.  He was the Assistant Superintendant of the Fresno City Schools.  He authored 3 remedial reading workbooks which were used throughout California.  He also authored one novel.

1956  James Guy Huggins   (1910 - 1976)  Brother Huggins received the degrees of Masonry in Las Palmas Lodge by being initiated on September 22, 1938, passed on November 10, 1938 and raised on February 2, 1939.  He was one of the four members of Las Palmas Lodge who helped form Ponderosa Lodge.  Brother Huggins was born in Lonelin, Arkansas and after moving to Fresno worked in the Fresno County Tax Collector's Office.

1957  Edward Jones Arnold  (1900 - 1983)  Brother Arnold was born in Carlisle, Arkansas.  He was initiated in Sun Garden Lodge No. 530 on January 27, 1944, passed on April 6, 1944 and raised on June 15, 1944.  He was one of the members of Sun Garden Lodge who helped form Ponderosa Lodge.  He was a Supervisor for the U.S. Post Office.

1958  Vernal Glenn Dorn  (1904 - 1988)  Brother Dorn was a native of Sanger, California and was initiated in Sanger Lodge No. 316 on November 11, 1928, passed on January 29, 1929 and raised on February 26, 1929.  He affiliated with Ponderosa Lodge in December of 1948.  He was a Maintenance Sub-foreman for PG & E.

1959  John Witherow Dorney  (1913 - 1986)  Brother Dorney was born in San Francisco, California.  He was initiated in Harbor Lodge No. 502 (Richmond, CA) on January 30, 1939, passed on March 27, 1939 and raised on April 29, 1939.  He affiliated with Ponderosa Lodge in December of 1948.  His occupation was that of machinist. 

1960  Ned Jenks Harnish  ( 1911 - 2010)  Brother Harnish was born in Covina, California and was initiated in Bell Lodge No. 483 on April 10, 1941, passed on May 29 and raised on September 18, 1941.  In May of 1949 he affiliated with the newly formed Ponderosa Lodge UD.  His occupation was that of Engineer. 

1961  Charles Alfred Richardson  (1913 - 1974)  After serving his country in the Army Air Force, Brother Richardson became employed as a clerk at the U.S. Post Office in Fresno.  He petitioned the newly formed Ponderosa Lodge UD for the degrees of Masonry and was initiated on March 26, 1949, passed on June 25, and raised on February 25, 1950.

1962  Clyde Austin Hall  (1906 - 1995)  Brother Hall was born in Oakland, California and was employed by PG&E in building operations and maintenance.  He was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on May 16, 1951, passed on October 3 and raised on February 6, 1952.  After serving as Master of Ponderosa Lodge, he moved to Santa Rosa, California and in 1971 took a demit from Ponderosa Lodge to join Santa Rosa Lodge No. 57.  Brother Hall was coroneted a 33º Scottish Rite Mason while living in Santa Rosa.

1963  James William Van Natta  (1914 - 1990)  Brother Van Natta was a local having been born in Clovis.  After serving in the U.S. Navy, he petitioned Ponderosa Lodge and was initiated on April 2, passed on June 18 and raised on November 26, 1952.  By trade, he was a carpenter.  In 1986 he received the Hiram Award.

1964  Allen Joseph Lockwood  (1912 - 1987)  Brother Lockwood was born in Stamford, Connecticut and was employed by the Air National Guard.  He was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on September 21, 1955, passed on December 7 and raised on April 18, 1956.  He was Ponderosa's Officer's coach from 1965 to 1980.

1965  Winford Augusta Tarver  (1915 - 1980)  Brother Tarver was born in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and owned his own appliance refinishing and painting business.  He was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on September 26, 1956, passed on November 28 and raised on February 27, 1957.

1966  Theodore Claude Lindsey  (1926 - 1995)  Brother Lindsey was born in McLean, Texas and was employed by the Fresno Police Department as a detective.  Brother Lindsey was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on September 17, 1958,  passed on November 5, and raised on January 21, 1951.  He was the secretary of Ponderosa Lodge from 1970 to 1980 and also the secretary of the Fresno Masonic Service Bureau.  From 1980 until 1983 he was our District Inspector.  In 1984 he was awarded the Hiram Award.

1967  Billy Joe Hall  (1924 - 2005)  Brother Hall was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on January 28, 1959, passed on April 15 and raised on October 7, 1959.

1968  Everett Maxwell Williams 

1969  Donald Gene Halderman  (1930 - 1997)  After serving in the U.S. Army, Brother Halderman was employed by the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.  He was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on March 29, 1960, passed on June 6, 1962 and raised on December 5, 1962.

1970  Floyd Nathan Wiggs  (1933 - 2004)  Brother Wiggs was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on February 20, 1963, passed on May 1, and raised on November 20, 1963.

1971  Stephen Brown Jr.  (1916 - 1991)  Brother Brown was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and after petitioning Ponderosa Lodge was initiated on September 16, 1964, passed on December 2 and raised on June 2, 1965.  He was a property appraiser for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

1972  Lloyd Eugene Wiggs 

1973  John Richard "Dick" Easterly  (1912 - 1991)  Brother Easterly was born in Alva, Oklahoma and after serving in the European Theater during WW II moved to Fresno.  He was a police officer for Southern Pacific RR.  He was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on January 20, 1965, passed on March 24, and raised on October 6, 1965.  In 1978 he moved back to Alva, Oklahoma where he resided until his death.

1974  Gerald Vernon Churchill  (1923 - 2008)  Brother Churchill was born in San Leandro, California and after moving to Fresno became a member of the Fresno Police Department.  He was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on January 18, 1967, passed on March 22 and raised on June 7, 1967.

1975  Sidney Lineer Lane  (1915 - ?)  Brother Lane was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on October 23, 1968, passed on February 5, 1969 and raised on April 2, 1969.  Brother Lane went inactive in 1991.

1976  Ernest William Roberts  (1929 - ?)  Brother Roberts was born in Egypt, Arkansas.  He was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on September 17, 1969, passed on October 1 and raised on March 25, 1970.  This may be a record in learning the candidates lecture of the first degree.  By occupation he was a welder.  Brother Roberts left Masonry in 1983.

1977, 1989, 1990 & 1991  James William Wilson  II  Brother Wilson was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on April 30, 1969, passed on October 22 and raised on February 25, 1970.  He is a Lodge Trustee of Las Palmas-Ponderosa Lodge and was President of the Las Palmas Temple board of directors.  He received the Hiram Award in 2005.  He owns a Dental Laboratory in Fresno.

1978  George Earl Gilliland  (1928 - 2013)  Brother Gilliland was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on January 19, 1966, passed on March 2 and raised on May 4, 1966.  Brother Gilliland was the Secretary of Ponderosa Lodge from 1980 to 1990.  He received the Hiram award in 1987.  His occupation was that of floor covering contractor.  Brother Gilliland retired and moved to Oregon and in 1991 went inactive.

1979  Robert Lafayette Moore  (1923 - 2006)  Brother Moore was born in Roosevelt, Long Island, NY and moved to Fresno in 1955.  He was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on September 18, 1963, passed on February 5, 1964 and raised on June 17, 1964.  He was a paint salesman.

1980  Charles Stephen Bersani  (1932 - 2024)  Brother Bersani was born in Quincy, Massachusetts and moved to Fresno around 1970.  He had a close friend who was a member of Ponderosa Lodge and this friend got Chuck interested in Masonry.  He was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on October 26, 1971, passed on December 21 and raised on April 18, 1972.  After serving as Master, he was a Grand Lodge District Inspector for nine years.   Before retirement, he repaired office equipment.  In 1990 he received the Hiram Award from Ponderosa Lodge.  He helps out with preparing food for our dinners says that he "enjoys being a Mason."  He was the officers coach at Las Palmas-Ponderosa Lodge from 2007 until his death in 2024.  He served as the Sr. Warden of Las Palmas-Ponderosa Lodge in 2023.

1981  Tal Jonz  (1927 - 199?)  Brother Jonz was born in Dallas, Texas.  He was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on November 18, 1975, passed on January 27, 1976 and raised on March 23, 1976.  He was employed in sales and management for a local radio station. 

1982, 1988  James Michael Vaughn  Brother Vaughan was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on March 22, 1977, passed on May 24, and raised on September 27, 1977.  He is a member of the Las Palmas Temple Board of Directors.

1983  William Robert Smith  (1928 - 1997)  Brother Smith was born in Hutchinson, Kansas.  He was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on June 25, 1974, passed on October 6, 1978 and raised on November 7, 1978.  He was a safety engineer for Continental Insurance Company.  Brother Smith left Mason in 1994.

1984  James Samuel Wright  (1917 - 1997)  Brother Wright was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on June 25, 1978, passed on September 26 and raised on December 19, 1978.

1985  Garabed "Gary" Mamigonian  (1940 - 1993)  Brother Mamigonian was a Fresno native.  He was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on May 21, 1969, passed on January 24, 1970 and raised on March 18, 1970.  He was a general dentist with a private practice in Fresno.

1986  Gary Gene Lewis  Brother Lewis was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on October 28, 1980, passed on April 28, 1981 and raised on June 16, 1981.  He worked as a Deputy Sheriff.

1987  Earl Andrew Checketts  (1925 - 2003)    Brother Checketts was  born in Sparks, Nevada and moved to Fresno in 1953  He was initiated in Ponderosa Lodge on January 2, 1963, passed on March 6 and raised on June 26, 1963.  During his working career, he was a letter carrier for the US Post Office.  After retirement, he worked as a custodian for the Fresno Scottish Rite.

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