George E. Upton

Grand Master George E. Upton was born October 13, 1930 in Sweetwater, Tennessee to the late Eddie O. and Mamie Ester Upton. In the mid 1930’s the Upton family relocated to Hempstead, Long Island, New York. There George entered and was educated in the Nassau County School system. In 1949 Brother Upton left school and enlisted in the United States Air Force. After a tour of duty in Korea, Brother Upton was Honorable discharged in December of 1953. Brother Upton returned to school and received his high school diploma. He later attended Brooklyn Automotive Trade School; receiving his diploma as an auto mechanic. Brother Upton worked at various jobs including Federal and City. In 1963 Brother Upton began his Masonic journey, joining Criterion Lodge #14 of Brooklyn, New York. He later served as Master of his lodge for 2 years. In 1965 Brother Upton became a member of the New York City Housing Authority Police Department. While a member of the Department, Brother Upton entered and studied at John Jay College of Criminal justice for two and a half years. In 1975 Brother Upton re-entered the military service, joining a United States reserve unit in Jamaica, Queens. In 1976 at a National masonic convention held in New York City, Brother Upton received the Honorary 33°degree of Masonry. He became active in various national fraternal bodies. In 1983 Brother Upton reached the pinnacle of his masonic journey, when he was elected by his peers to the position of Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Hiram Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. Inc., State of New York. He served in this position for a period of five years. Grand Master Upton later became a life member of two veterans’ organizations, Proctor Hopson Post 1896, Veterans of Foreign Wars where he served two years as Post Commander. George was also a member of the Am Vets Post 1013. He later became a volunteer at the VA Hospital of St. Albans, Queens. Grand master Upton loved to travel, both nationally and internationally. He was active in two sports, bowling and deep sea fishing, which he enjoyed with his close friend Mr. Stanley Thomas of Jamaica, Queens. Grand Master Upton leaves to cherish his memory: his devoted companion, Ms. Ethel Davis of Tallahassee, Florida; three step children by a previous marriage; one son, Terrence Jones, Sr. (Emporia, Virginia), two loving daughters, Mrs. Caroline Oates (Charlotte, NC), Mrs. Amanda Jenkins (Sherrill Ford, NC); one daughter-in-law, Grace Jones; two sons-in-law, Charles Oates Sr. and Kevin Jenkins; one son, Emil Craig Jones preceded him in death; 8 grandchildren: Terrence Jones Jr., Collin Oates, Daniel Jenkins, Jennifer Jenkins and Daniel Flax of Richmond, Virginia; a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, his Masonic family, his Veterans of Foreign Wars family and a few special acquaintances acquired over the years. The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at Kyker Funeral Homes, Sweetwater, from 11:00 AM until 12:00 P.M. with the funeral service to follow at 12:00 P.M. in Kyker’s Chapel. Interment to follow in the Sweetwater Memorial Park. Kyker Funeral Homes, Sweetwater, in charge of arrangements. www.kykerfuneralhomes.com

George E. Upton

October 13, 1930 - September 27, 2017