- Date Of Birth: September 11, 1933
- Date Of Death: December 8, 2019
- State: Illinois
Vernon Ray Landers, 86, of Salem, passed away Sunday, December 8, 2019 at his home.
Ray was born September 11, 1933 in Bemis, Tennessee the son of Robert Guy Landers and Evelyn Louise (Overton) Landers. On June 3, 1963 he married Helen Jean Farrell in Belleville, IL. Together they have Robert Landers and wife Jeanne of Edwardsville, IL, Roy Landers and wife Beth of Salem and Lisa Landers Clark and husband Glen of Jackson, TN; seven grandchildren: Chase Landers and wife Mandy of Salem, Taylor Dobyns and husband Ricky of Salem, Kelsey Landers of Centralia, Tyler Landers and wife Kellie of Princeton, IN, Seth Clark and wife Jordyn of Jackson TN, Hannah Landers and Noah Landers both of Edwardsville, IL; seven great-grandchildren: KJ, Jordyn, Teighan, Greyson, Leyton, Bryer and Watson; a Brother: Billy Fred Landers and wife Betty of Medon, TN; one sister: Glenda Fay (Landers) Banks and husband Hobert of Jackson, TN; sisters-in-law: Ann Landers of Jackson, TN, Ann Gray of Glendale, AZ, Rose Elmore of Jackson, TN, Lydia Bawcom of Goodlettsville, TN, Gale DeSpain and husband Joe of Lexington, TN, Jan Rush of Dyersburg, TN; a brother-in-law: Chuk Rush of Lake Mills, WI; several nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents: Robert Guy & Louise Landers, mother-in-law: Dorothy Rush a brother: Charles Rex Landers, a sister: Bettye June (Landers) Scott; brothers-in-law: Don Gray, Sr., Robert “Bob” Elmore, and James “Mousie” Rush, two sisters-in-law: Darlene Landers and Dorothy Piercey.
Ray served 4 years in the U.S. Navy from June 27, 1952 to June 26, 1956, stationed in San Diego for a year and served aboard the USS Hancock and the USS Hornet. After the Navy he went to work for the Illinois Central Railroad as a Telegrapher Agent Operator, working many stations between Birmingham, AL, Centralia, and East St. Louis, before moving to Centralia in March of 1965. He worked in Centralia until retiring on September 2, 1995 after working 37 years.
He was a member of the Temple Baptist Church for many years, serving as a Trustee and Deacon.
Ray joined the Masonic Lodge at Centralia in January 1970. Appointed Junior Steward in 1971 and went on to serve as Master of the Lodge in 1975. He also served as Master of Louisville Lodge No. 196 in 1994, he served as the Grand Lodge as District Deputy Grand Master, and Area Deputy Grand Master of the Southern Area. Ray was a Member of the Board of Grand Examiner, Junior Grand Deacon and Grand Steward.
Ray was a Royal Arch Mason, Centralia Chapter #93 R.A.M. and Andrew D. Webb Chapter No. 160 of Mt. Vernon, IL, and he served as High Priest in both Chapters. He was a Cryptic Mason in Salem Council No. 97 and served as Thrice Illustrious Master.
Ray was Elected and Installed Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Illinois in July 2003. He was also a member of the Knights Templar, Patton Commandery No. 69 and served as Commander. He was elected and installed Governor of Southern Illinois York Rite College No. 33.
Ray was elected and received the Order of the Purple Cross in July 2002 in Indianapolis, IN, elected and installed Excellent Chief of Irish Sea Council No. 98 Knight Masons, and elected and installed as preceptor of Pathros Tabernacle No LV111 Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests.
Ray also was elected and received the Knights of the York Cross of Honor (K.Y.C.H.) Illinois Priory No. 11. He was elected and Installed Sovereign of Saxa Rubra Conclave, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, Sovereign Master of Little Egypt Council No. 400 A.M.D., Knight Director-General of Mt.Vernon Preceptory No X Order of Yeomen of York. He joined the Scottish Rite, 32 Degree, Valley of Southern Illinois in Belleville, IL on April 27, 1974.
He was Elected and Installed in the Most Wise Master of John M. Pearson Chapter of Rose Croix for 2006-2007 and on August 28, 2006 he received the 33 Degree. Helen and Ray went to Washington D.C. in August of 2007, where Ray received the 33 Degree at the joint session of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction and the Southern Masonic Jurisdiction on August 26, 2007.
He was elected and received the DeMolay Legion of Honor at Granite City on September 7, 2003. Ray was a member of the Sword of Bunker Hill, Little Egypt Order No 63 Centralia and a member of the Centralia Chapter Order of the Eastern Star and served as a worthy Patron several times. He was also a member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, Syrian Shrine No 68, where he served as Watchman of the Shepards.
He served as Royal Patron for the Order of Amaranth, Faith Court No 28 Centralia and he was even elected and installed as the Grand Royal Patron of the Order of Amaranth of Illinois from 2003-2004. Ray became a member of the Shrine in East St. Louis in 1975 and served as President from 2007-2008. He was also a member of the Centralia Elks Lodge 493.
