Worshipful Brother Theron Dunn, a California Freemason and well-known Masonic blogger and forum participant as well as co-publisher of Lodgeroom International magazine, passed away on Tuesday, May 13, after a brief illness.Along with thousands of Masons throughout the world, I mourn his passing, and extend my sympathies and condolences to Bro. Theron's family and friends.
Bro. Theron and I seldom saw eye to eye on Masonic matters, but we had a grudgingly mutual respect for each other. While publicly we were often seen "fighting," in private we did from time to time exchange cordial and brotherly communications.
I'd always hoped he would voluntarily submit an essay for the "We All Shine On: This is Who I Am" series here on The Taper.
Last summer, I assisted him with some technical matters involving the set-up of his blog, Beacon of Masonic Light. One of the things I suggested to him was that his photo should have him facing into the text of the blog, not away from it, as it was originally. He flipped it so that he would be looking into the text, forever etching into our minds the flower in his lapel thus being on the non-traditional right side of his jacket instead of the left.
In his honor, I'm re-flipping his photo [see above] back to its original form.
He was fond of the nickname he gave to The Burning Taper. He called it "The Smoldering Stub."
In his memory, I am temporarily re-naming this blog The Smoldering Stub.
"When your final summons comes,
to take that last, long trip
Adorned with Lambskin Apron white,
and gems of fellowship;
The Tiler at the Golden Gate,
with Square and Rule and Plumb
will size up your pin, and say, 'Walk in —
I see you've Travelled some.'"
Masons | Masonic Brotherhood | Beacon of Masonic Light | Freemasonry | Theron Dunn | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com
I just can't believe he's left us. He was too young and had too much left to contribute.
ReplyDeleteGoodbye my brother. I will miss you.
It is hard to think that within a week Brother Theron left this world.
ReplyDeleteLet us remember him and the FACT he was a true Mason.
Three cheers to the Smoldering Stub.
ReplyDeleteBattery of 3x3 to Br. Dunn.
It is indeed sad that he did not send in his shine on piece, but I think we had a good idea of who he was. Truly to many us, he will shine on.
Soft and safe brother Dunn.
It is well known that Theron Dunn, and this Grand Lodge (The Grand Lodge at York) remained at variance.
ReplyDeleteHowever, we were very sad to hear of his untimely and premature demise.
We have sent sincere condolences to his nearest and dearest, and pray for the sacred repose of his immortal soul.
Brethren it is at times like these that we realise how vitally important it is to go that extra mile in order to be kind to one another whilst we retain this fragile hold on worldly existence.
Yes, I am saddened now with the Death of yet another one of my dear Masonic friends. Just last month, our Worshipful Master, WB David E. Baer, Master of Freedom Military Lodge No. 1775 located at http://www.freedomlodge.org passed away, and now to hear of WB Dunn's demine, it is heartbreaking in the least.
ReplyDeleteWB Dunn was not just a Blogging buddy, but a friend, and a mentor, and I will always cherish him memory and the many emails he and I exchanged privately over the years. God speed to him in his travels to the Celestial lodge above, and many condolensces to his family and friends left here behind. This brother was truly a Mason in word and deed, and in heart.
Well done, sir. A fitting tribute, and doubtless our departed brother would smile about it.
ReplyDeleteI'm genuinely sorry to hear this. I once had some fun at his expense in the comments section of this blog, and his death reminds me that we shouldn't sweat the small stuff.
ReplyDeleteBrothers,
ReplyDeletePlease excuse me while I shed a tear for a departed Brother.
Nemo,
ReplyDeleteMy sometimes heated banter with Theron is well documented on the BT, many of us have had a little fun at Dunn's expense and he at ours as well, Quid pro quo.
I was humbled by Peter Clatworthy's statement regarding Dunn and the rest of us imperfect human beings, "Frail, Flawed and Foolish". Excellent use of alliteration Bro. Clatworthy, well said.
Yours Sincerely,
A Fellow Frail, Flawed and Foolish Human Being
Things will not be the same with brother Dunn gone. I will miss his humor and his wisdom. I say this not as a mason, which I am not, but as a person with the deepest respect for brother Dunn. I doubt that he would object to my calling him brother. His passing is a tragedy.
ReplyDeleteI always hate to hear of the passing of a true workman. May God bless his family and friends.
ReplyDeleteDerek wrote:
ReplyDeleteI always hate to hear of the passing of a true workman. May God bless his family and friends.
That's about the only important thing now.
It's sad, in a way, much of the talk in Masonic Blog-land re: the death has been about on-line disagreements. They're never going to end, not when you have people with strong and passionate opinions.
I've had my share of honest disagreements with people in Lodge. But does that mean I wish them ill? Not in the slightest. You put aside differences when a Bro. is in trouble, health or otherwise. That's what Masons do. It should go without saying.
No one will take this bet, but I'll put money down that somewhere, sometime on the internet, some Mason will get into a slapping match with another. I would hope, but experience doesn't leave me optimistic, that they will set an example that Masons should always be temperate in their language and behaviour toward one another.
Justa Mason
Who's the man who stole fire for the people?
ReplyDeleteWho causes trembling in the bones of evil?
Who carved a mountain into a cathedral?
I am immortal
Half-blind and spitting straight into the wind
Down, down
Trying to drag me down
It's all right
I go to dreaming
I said it's all right
I, liquefying
(Dog years, dog years, dog years, dog years)
The blood of lions
(Dog years, dog years, dog years, dog years)
I ain't dying
(Dog years)
I am immortal
Who rides the solar cycle with no hands ma?
Who found the Ark inside Texarkana?
Who asks the questions that have no answers?
Half-blind and spitting straight into the wind
Down, down
Trying to drag me down
Down
Down
(Dog years, dog years, dog years)
(Dog years, dog years, dog years)
I am immortal
I am immortal
I am immortal
In dog years ...
Blood of lions
(Dog years, dog years, dog years, dog years)
I, liquefying
(Dog years, dog years, dog years, dog years)
I ain't dying
(Dog years)
I am immortal
I know many people remember Brother Theron Dunn with much respect because of all his efforts during his life! He was very generous and humble, and I heard he used to take generic viagra
ReplyDelete