John L. Elwell Jr.

Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Utah 1994.

John Elwell was born in Scott City, Kansas on March 3, 1936; a son of J. L. Elwell and Zilpha E. Paschal Elwell. Educated in public schools of Dodge City, Kansas; he graduated from Dodge City Senior High School in 1954 and Dodge City Community College in 1956 with an Associate in Arts Degree. He received a BA degree in January 1959 from the University of Wichita (now known as Wichita State University); with a Chemistry major and minors in Math and Education.
He was employed as an analytical chemist by Frontier Chemical Division of Vulcan Materials in Wichita Kansas from January 1959 to January 1962. He accepted employment with Thiokol Chemical Corporation of Brigham City, Utah and remained there from January 1962 to January of 1965 when he accepted Civil Service employment with the AF. LC. at Hill AFB Utah. He accepted an early retirement from the Air Logistics Command on March 3, 1988. During his employment years, he developed analytical procedures using the current "state of art" electronic equipment. An interest in solvent theory led to the formulation of a variety of mixtures used in the repair of electronic equipment for aerospace applications. This interest resulted in the development of three patents for the Air Force.
He married Mary Jo Fry in Montezuma, Kansas on March 1, 1959. They have one son, Martin "Marty" Elwell, who resides in Gray County Kansas and one grandson, Cody Aubrey Edward Elwell, who lives in Dodge City, Kansas. John and Mary Jo have bred American Quarter Horses since 1965. They belong to the American Quarter Horse Association, Utah Quarter Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association, National Reining Horse Association, the National Reined Cow Horse Association, and several of their affiliates in Utah and Idaho. John is a past director of the Utah Quarter Horse Association and a past President of the lntermountain Quarter Horse association. Serving the IQHA from 1983 through 1985. John and Mary Jo were named to the Utah Quarter Horse association "Hall of Fame" in 2003 in recognition of their loyal support.
While in Utah, John and Mary Jo have belonged to the Tremonton Community Methodist Church, the Community Methodist Church in Washington Terrace where he served three terms as chairman of the administrative board, and they currently belong to the Clearfield Community Church.
While in Utah, John and Mary Jo have belonged to the Tremonton Community Methodist Church, the Community Methodist Church in Washington Terrace where he served three terms as chairman of the administrative board, and they currently belong to the Clearfield Community Church.
He was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Albert Pike Lodge No. 303 AF. & AM. in Wichita Kansas on October 18, 1961. He dimited to Corinne Lodge No. 5 on May 10, 1965, serving as Worshipful Master in 1968, 1973, 1989, 1999, and 2005. He was given a life membership in 1994. He was appointed Grand Tyler of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge F. & AM. by M.W. Curtis N. Lancaster, PGM in 1983. He served various appointed offices prior to being elected Junior Grand Warden in 1991 and being progressively elected to the various platform positions. He was elected and installed Most Worshipful Grand Master at the 122nd Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of Utah on February 1, 1994. He was awarded the 50-year service pin of the Grand Lodge of Utah by Charles Persinger, W.M. of Corinne Lodge No. 5 on 18 October 2011.
M. W. Brother Elwell was exalted a member of Logan Chapter #8 , Royal Arch Masons on June 8, 1963 serving as High Priest in 1971 and 1972. He was appointed to the line of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons in Utah in 1992. He served various offices prior to being elected and installed M. E. Grand High Priest in 2001 and serving his term until completion in 2002. He received the Anointed High Priest degree in 1971 and served as M.E. President of the Anointed High Priests of Utah in 1993. He completed 50 years of service to Royal Arch Masonry on 8 June 2013.
He was greeted a member of Ogden Council #3 of Cryptic Masons on February 17, 1964, serving as Illustrious Master in 1975 receiving the Order of the Silver Trowel in 1976. He later served in various offices and positions in the officer line of the Grand Council Cryptic Masons of Utah prior to serving as Most Illustrious Grand Master in 1997-98.
He was knighted a Knight Templar on March 23, 1964, serving as Eminent Commander in 1979. He joined the Past Commanders Association of Utah in 1981. He was elected and served as Right Eminent Grand Commander of Knights Templar of Utah for the Templar year ending 1996. He received the K.C. T. award in May of 1996.
He was elected a member of the Knights of the York Cross of Honor in 1980 serving as Prior of Utah Priory No. 47 in 1997. He received the 4th Quadrant of the KGYCH in 2002 by virtue of having completed serving the Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter RAM, Grand Cryptic Rite, and the Grand Commandery of Utah in the respective presiding offices. He is a life member.
He became a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason in the 135th class of the Valley of Salt Lake, Orient of Utah for Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons in 1970. He was invested a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor (KCCH) in 1993 and exalted to the rank of 33rd degree on Nov. ·11, 1999. He is a life member of the Valley of Salt Lake.
He is a life member of the Royal Order of Scotland having received the degree in 1971 in Billings Montana.
He was elected a Member of the Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest Tabernacle
Petra LXI in 1997, serving as Very Excellent Preceptor in 2005. He is a life member.
He was awarded the DeMolay Legion of Honor on Sept. 10, 1993. Designated an active member on the basis of membership in the Dodge City Kansas chapter of DeMolay in the 1950s.
He joined El Kalah Temple of Shrine Masons in Nov. of 1966. He served as president of the Northern Utah Shrine Club in 1971 and was a Charter Member of the El Kalah Shrine Clowns. He is a past member of Utah Court #49 Royal Order of Jesters.
He is a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star-Chapter #11 and the Camp Floyd York Rite College Jurisdiction of Utah from 2001-2004. He was installed a member of Bonneville Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine serving as Sovereign in 1996. He was installed Intendant General for the Division of Utah of the United Grand Imperial Council Red Cross of Constantine and Appendant Orders United States of America, Mexico, and the Philippines on June 13, 2009, during the 137th annual assembly in Oklahoma City. He served in this capacity until June 14, 2014.
He was accepted as a member of the National Sojourners Chapter #114 in Salt Lake City on March 24, 1994. He became a member of the Heroes of 1776 in 1996.
A life-long interest in team sports motivated him to support/couch elementary-age baseball and basketball teams that competed in the Roy City/Weber County recreation leagues. The Elwell’s provided basketball uniforms that were used long after their involvement in the recreation league. Since the rural area in which the Elwell’s reside was incorporated in 1991, their residence is in West Haven Utah. John served on the City Planning Commission from July 1, 1991, to December 31, 1993. He was the Chairman of the Commission for one and one -half terms.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, James and Glenn Elwell.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo; son, Martin; grandson, Cody; sister, Sue (Mike) Riegel and several nieces and nephews.

Masonic Memorial Services will be held Monday, November 8, 2021, at 2:00 pm at Leavitt’s Mortuary, 836 36th Street, Ogden, Utah. Friends may visit with family from 12:45 to 1:45 pm, prior to services.

Cremation under the direction of Leavitt’s Mortuary. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Montezuma, Kansas at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Shriner’s Hospital for Children 1275 E. Fairfax Rd. SLC 84103 or the Scottish Rite Foundation of Utah (RiteCare) 650 E. South Temple St. SLC 84102.