Most Worshipful Brother David H. Nelson

Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Utah 1997

M.W. Grand Master David H. Nelson was born on March 21, 1933, in Great Falls, Montana. His parents were Emil H. And Margaret Sprague Nelson. His father was employed by the U.S. Post Office Department in Montana. Both parents were active in Masonry, and his father was Worshipful Master of Lodges in Montana and Oregon. He was also active in the Scottish Rite in Oregon and was a 33º Honorary.

Shortly after his birth, G.M. Nelson's parents moved to Helena, Montana, where he attended public schools, graduating from Helena High School in 1951. He entered the University of Montana School of Pharmacy at Missoula, Montana, in the fall of 1951. G.M. Nelson volunteered for military service in June 1952. He served with the U.S. Army in Washington, Alaska, and Japan. After his discharge in 1955, he re-entered the University of Montana, where he graduated with a B.S. Degree in Pharmacy in June 1958.

After graduation from college, G.M. Nelson worked as a pharmacist for several retail and hospital pharmacies in Butte and Great Falls, Montana. He was employed as pharmacy manager by Skaggs Drug Centers from 1963 to 1967 and worked as a store manager for Skaggs Drug Centers from 1967-1977, managing stores in Great Falls, Spokane, Washington, Elko, Nevada, and Salt Lake City, Utah. He returned to the practice of pharmacy in 1977 and was pharmacy manager for several Skaggs Alpha Beta and Osco drug stores. In 1983, he joined Thrifty Payless as pharmacy manager, where he is still employed.

He met his future wife, Beverly Mican, while she was a student at St. Patricks School of Nursing in Missoula, Montana. They were married on June 14, 1957, shortly after her graduation as a Registered Nurse. They are the parents of four children: Barbara, Patricia (Cazer), Karen, and David Michael and have four grandchildren, Mathew and Alex Cazer, Kacey and Cydney Stackhouse.

G.M. Nelson was initiated as an Entered Apprentice in Elko Lodge #15, Elko, Nevada, on November 15, 1976. Shortly after his initiation he was transferred by Skaggs Drug Centers to Salt Lake City. He received his Fellowcraft Degree on May 26, 1977, and his Master Mason Degree on May 31, 1977, in Canyon Lodge #13. He affiliated with Canyon Lodge #13 in June 1977. He served as Worshipful Master of Canyon Lodge #13 in 1984 and 1985. He is a charter member of St. George Lodge #33, St. George, Utah.

G.M. Nelson served on several Grand Lodge Committees and was appointed to the Grand Lodge by Grand Master James A. McIntire in 1988. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1994 and was installed as Grand Master on February 2, 1997.

G.M. Nelson is a member of A. & A. Scottish Rite and is a past Venerable Master of the Jordan Lodge of Perfection. He was knighted a K.C.C.H. in 1993. He is a member of the Midvale York Rite Bodies and is a Past High Priest, Past Illustrious Master, and Past Commander of those bodies.

He is presently an appointed officer in all Grand York Rite Bodies. G.M. Nelson is a member of El Kalah Temple A.A.O.N.O.M.S., the Knight York Cross of Honor, the Red Cross of Constantine, and the Royal Scots of Utah.

G.M. Nelson is a member of the American Legion and the B. P.O.E. He and his family attend Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. When not at work or at a Masonic Function, he can be found working on his scroll saw, reading, gardening, doing glass work, or stamp collecting.

Electronically Transcribed as written without corrections to grammar or spelling by Aaron E. Saathoff, P.M., March, 2005.