Page 10 - MFM Nov Dec 2021

Donald E. Kimmel (1935-2021)

Most Worshipful Grand Master 1990-1991

Most Worshipful Past Grand Master Donald Edmund Kimmel was born in Ronan, Montana, on July 18,
1935. He attended schools in Ronan, Western Montana College at Dillon on a football scholarship, and
Montana State University at Bozeman, where he received a degree in Engineering Physics. Brother Don
owned and operated a ranch on Flatwillow 23 miles north of Roundup, Montana. He was a member of the
Baptist Church.

M.W.P.G.M. Kimmel served as a Chief Warrant Officer in the United States Army for four years as a
Guided Missile Ground Control Officer. He had been a member of the Winnett School Board Trustees for
many years. He had served as the Director of Soil Conservation District and President of the Petroleum
County Stockgrowers Association. He had served as Director of the Mid-Rivers Telephone Cooperative for
about forty years. He was a Trustee of the Baptist Church and Sunday School Superintendent.
Brother Kimmel was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Captain Scott Lodge No. 98 at
Grass Range on January 16, 1963. He had served as Worshipful Master in 1972 and as Secretary from 1976
to 1980. He was also a member of Jerusalem Lodge No. 115 at Winnett and served as Worshipful Master
in 1986, 1987, and 1988. He had served in all the line offices of both Lodges. In 1979, Brother Kimmel was
appointed Grand Tyler of the Grand Lodge of Montana by M.W.G.M. Francis D. Hess. While advancing
from one Grand Lodge place and station, he served on numerous Grand Lodge Committees. He had also
served as the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia near the Grand Lodge
of Montana.

In other Masonic Bodies, Brother Kimmel received the degrees of Royal Arch Masons in Hiram Chapter
No. 15 at Lewistown on April 20, 1979; the degrees of Royal and Select Masters (Cryptic Masons) in Hiram
Council No. 9 on April 4, 1980, and Knighted in Calvary Commandery No. 14, Knights Templar on April 5,
1980. He received the Red Cross of Constantine on October 10, 1987, in Billings. He was a member of the
Central Montana Council No. 179, Allied Masonic Degrees, and Big Sky York Rite College No. 74.
He received the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite on April 20, 1985, in Billings Consistory.
He became a Noble of the Mystic Shrine on May 19, 1990, in Al Bedoo Temple. On January 12, 1965, he
joined Rimrock Chapter No. 82 Order of the Eastern Star and served as Worthy Grand Patron many times.
He served on the O.E.S. Grand Chapter as Grand Guard, Instructor, Grand Flag Bearer, Grand Committee
member, and served as Worthy Grand Patron of Montana Order of Eastern Star.

Most Worshipful Past Grand Master Donald Edmund Kimmel laid down his working tools and passed to
the Celestial Lodge above on November 4, 2021. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, November. 15 at
1 p.m. at the Creel Funeral Home Chapel, 601 W Main St, Lewistown, Montana.