(L-R Buck Owens, Tommy Bingham, Tom Bingham, Norman Dennison, Howard Knapp)
W∴ Thomas R. Bingham received his 50 year service award last night in a joint presentation by Gulf Beach Lodge No. 291 and Morning Star Lodge No. 94, the ceremony being held at Morning Star Lodge in Silver Springs. Eight members of Gulf Beach Lodge made the long trek to show their fraternal love.
Thomas Rudolph Bingham, who served as Master of Gulf Beach Lodge in 1979, was born on June 22, 1941, in Cleveland, Ohio, to John and Gertrude Bingham. His father was a police officer for the City of Cleveland, and his mother worked as a secretary in the same department. Tom was the eldest of four sons.
At the age of 14, Tom became a member of the Bedford Chapter of DeMolay while attending Bedford High School, from which he graduated in 1959. After graduation, Tom joined the United States Navy and spent four years aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt aircraft carrier. He later served two additional years in the Naval Reserve aboard the USS Greenwood, a Buckley-class Destroyer Escort. In 1961, during his service on the Franklin D. Roosevelt, Tom married Ms. Marianne Decker, a recent graduate of Northeast High School in St. Petersburg, who was employed at General Telephone Company at the time. The couple was blessed with two sons, Thomas C. and Bryan A., both of whom became members of DeMolay and Gulf Beach Lodge No. 291. Notably, his son Thomas C. “Tommy” served as Master of Gulf Beach Lodge in 1993.
In 1963, Tom began his civilian career when he was hired as the 4,000th employee of Honeywell’s Aeronautical Division, working as a detail draftsman. During this time, he attended classes at St. Petersburg Junior College. In 1965, he joined Florida Power Corporation, where he spent the next 35 years. In 1973, Tom was promoted to Manager of Generation Services and eventually retired as Maintenance Superintendent of the Bartow Plant.
Tom petitioned Gulf Beach Lodge for the three degrees of Masonry in 1974. He was Initiated on September 12, Passed on October 24, and Raised on December 12th of the same year. In 1975, Tom began his journey through the officer chairs and also served as Chapter Dad for DeMolay at Gulf Beach Lodge from 1975 to 1978. In 1977, as a Senior DeMolay, Tom received the Degree of Chevalier, the highest honor for outstanding DeMolay activity. That same year, he became a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Egypt Temple Shrine. In 1978, Tom was honored with the DeMolay Legion of Honor and the DeMolay Cross of Honor.
Tom was elected Master of Gulf Beach Lodge in 1979. From 1980 to 1988, Tom served as Dad Advisor for the Lodge’s DeMolay Chapter. In 1980, he was elected President of the Master’s and Warden’s Association for the 19th Masonic District. Between 1982 and 1985, Tom served as the District 19 Masonic Youth Chairman, and from 1985 to 1986, he was the District 19 Chairman for Perpetual Memberships. In 1986, Tom served as Worthy Patron of Gulf Beach Chapter No. 241 of the Order of the Eastern Star. He earned his green proficiency card in 1989 and became one of Gulf Beach Lodge’s first Perpetual Members in 1994.
In 2006, Tom became a plural member of Morning Star Lodge No. 94 in Ocklawaha, Florida, and served as its Master in 2011. He is the only Master of Gulf Beach Lodge to have served as Master of another Lodge after completing his term. In 2007, Tom was appointed scribe for the Ocala Shrine Club, where he served for 10 years. In 2008, he became a charter member of the Ocala Shrine Legion of Honor, serving twice as Commander of the Unit and, for the past 13 years, as Adjutant and Financial Officer. From 2012 to 2014, Tom served as District 15 (Marion County) Chairman for Masonic Youth and Perpetual Memberships.
On January 23, 2025, Tom was honored with his 50-year service award in a joint presentation by Gulf Beach Lodge No. 291 and Morning Star Lodge No. 94. The ceremony took place at Morning Star Lodge and was conducted by Worshipful Buck Owens, the sitting Master of Gulf Beach Lodge, assisted by Tom’s son, Past Master Tommy Bingham. Tommy read Tom’s Masonic history, presented the certificate, and Past District Deputy Grand Master Howard Knapp pinned the 50-year service pin on Tom’s lapel before leading the craft in rendering Grand Honors. Many brothers in attendance stood to congratulate Tom on this milestone and express their gratitude for his dedication and leadership.
Tom continues to reside in Ocklawaha, Florida, with his wife, Marianne. He enjoys spending time with his sons and grandchildren, cherishing the bonds of family and brotherhood.