James D.
Cole, 33rd Degree
Leader | Southern Masonic Jurisdiction
Sovereign Grand Commander of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Masonic Jurisdiction. Past Grand Master of Masons in Virginia and former Lieutenant Grand Commander of the Supreme Council.
Personal background
James D. Cole was born in Asheville, North Carolina. In 1969 he relocated to Shawsville, Virginia with his wife, Mary Ann, where they reside.
Masonic career
Cole was raised a Master Mason in Craighill Lodge No. 160 in 1983 and served as Worshipful Master in 1987. He has held positions as District Deputy Grand Master, District Educational Officer, and Chairman of the Grand Lodge Committee on Finance.
On November 14, 2000, he was elected and installed as the 156th Grand Master of Masons in Virginia. He was coroneted a 33rd Degree Mason in 2001. In 2003 he was appointed Deputy of the Supreme Council in Virginia and crowned an active member of the Supreme Council, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Masonic Jurisdiction. He was appointed Grand Treasurer General of the Supreme Council in 2006 and elected Lieutenant Grand Commander in August 2013. He currently serves as Sovereign Grand Commander of the Southern Masonic Jurisdiction.
Affiliations
Cole maintains membership in the Valley of Roanoke AASR, Blacksburg Royal Arch Chapter No. 65, Blacksburg Commandery No. 32, Fort Lee-Richmond Camp No. 72 of the National Sojourners, Kazim Temple AAONMS, the St. Thomas Conclave of the Knights of the Red Cross, Wilderness Road York Rite College, and the Masonic Societas Rosicruciana.