Update from R∴W∴ Jason Johnson:
Here are the details regarding Chop’s funeral.
When: Saturday, Jan 29th, 6:00 pm (Updated)
Where: Tallahassee Automobile Museum, 6800 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32308
Seating is available for at least 300 people.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested all donations be made to the Masonic Home or Edward K. Walker chapter of DeMolay.
Hotels close by:
Staybridge Suites Tallahassee I-10 East, an IHG Hotel
1600 Summit Lake Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32317
Or
Quality Inn & Suites Tallahassee East I-10
It is with a heavy heart that I report the passing of Luther “Chop” Bodiford, III. Chop has been a cornerstone of our Masonic Community for many, many years. I remember clearly the lectures he gave during my EA, FC, & MM degrees when I joined Jackson Lodge in 2011. He is a dear friend and will be sorely missed.
Chop passed early this morning to the Celestial Lodge; The House not made with Hands. We will let you know when the funeral arrangements are made. I will leave you with the below poem that I found and seemed appropriate.
I met a dear old man today,
Who wore a Masonic pin,
It was old and faded like the man,
Its edges were worn quite thin.
I approached the park bench where he sat,
To give the old brother his due,
I said, “I see you’ve traveled east,”
He said, “I have, have you?”
I said, “I have, and in my day
Before the all-seeing sun,
I played in the rubble, with Jubala
Jubalo and Jubalum.”
He shouted, “don’t laugh at the work my son,
It’s good, sweet, and true,
And if you’ve traveled as you said,
You should give these things their due.”
The word, the sign the token,
The sweet Masonic prayer,
The vow that all have taken,
Who’ve climbed the inner stair.
The wages of a Mason,
Are never paid in gold,
But the gain comes from contentment,
When you’re weak and growing old.
You see, I’ve carried my obligations,
For all these many years,
It has helped me through the hardships
And the failures full of tears…
Now I’m losing my mind and body,
Death is near but I don’t despair,
I’ve lived my life upon the level,
And I’m dying upon the square.
Sometimes the greatest lessons
Are those that are learned anew,
And the old man in the park today
Has changed my point of view.
To all Masonic brothers,
The only secret is to care,
May you live your life upon the level,
May you part upon the square.
~Author Unknown
