Excellent High Priest (2022-2023)
Companion Curtis L. Smith is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the oldest of Dorothy Patterson’s six children. He graduated from Gordon H. Garrett High School in North Charleston, South Carolina. He attended Troy University obtaining an Associate in General Education and has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Park University. He has three children Laiyah Smith, Landon Smith, and Tyler Woods.
Companion Smith entered the United States Army on August 13, 1992, as a Motor Transport Operation and retired on August 31, 2016, with 24 Years of military service which includes his reserve time. He served in the following combat campaigns Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. He is a two-time Bronze Star Medal Award recipient, two-time Meritorious Service Medal Award recipient, and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Award recipient just to name a few of his awards.
Companion Smith was raised as a Prince Hall Affiliated Master Mason on November 9, 2009, at Providence Wing Lodge No.229 in Newport News, VA, and demitted into Pride of the West Lodge No.53 in El Paso, TX in April of 2014. Currently holds the seat of Worshipful Master. He became a member of El Paso Holy Royal Arch Chapter No.90 in May of 2012 (El Paso, TX). He is also a member of L.G. Raynor Council No.8 Royal (El Paso, TX) Royal and Select Masters; Demolay Commandery No.22 (El Paso, TX); Rio Grande Consistory No.24 (El Paso, TX); Oro Temple No.9.
His Masonic titles and accomplishments include Junior Deacon, Senior Deacon, Junior Warden, Senior Warden, Pride of the West Lodge No.53; Captain of the Host 2013, Royal Arch Captain 2014, Scribe 2015, and King 2016-2021, El Paso Holy Royal Arch Ch.90; Junior Warden 2014, Captain General 2015 and Generalissimo 2016, Demolay Commandery No.22; Oro Temple No.9 Oriental Guide 2013, High Priest and Prophet 2014, Assistant Rabban 2015, Illustrious Potentate 2016, 2018, 2019, Legion of Honor Recipient 2020. Currently serves as the Imperial Deputy of the Oasis of El Paso.
Community awards and titles include the Points of Light community Service Award, El Paso Community College Diversity and Inclusion Council Member, El Paso Inter-Club Council Secretary.
Excellent High Priest (2018-2022)
Past High Priest William J. Mikels was born March 27, 1984, in Inverness, Florida. He was raised by his parents James and Charlotte Mikels in Lake Panasoffkee, FL with his other three siblings; Jamie, Tricia, and Sarah. In 2002, he graduated from South Sumter High School in Bushnell, FL, and thereafter joined the United States Army and is currently still serving on active duty. For the past 20 years, William has had the opportunity to travel around the world defending this wonderful Nation and contributing to the welfare of other countries.
While serving in the Army he also took the opportunity to broaden his mind by attending college at American Military University. After many years and quite a few deployments, he is finally able to say that he was a proud college graduate, earning his undergrad degree of Bachelor of Science in Operations Management with a Minor in Psychology from AMU. He has proudly served as Excellent High Priest for El Paso Holy Royal Arch Chapter No 90 for 4 years. He is a member of multiple organizations and fraternities in Texas, Florida, and Georgia, all having a common ideology and that is the continued betterment of our communities, the development and mentorship of the Future Leaders of the World, and the continued progression of knowledge in all of MANKIND.
He continues to involve himself in many outreach programs and endeavors both locally and worldwide in hopes to leave this world better than when he came into it.
Excellent High Priest (2016-2018)
EHP Dax D. Thomas was born September 9, 1980 in the city of Joliet, IL. He was born to Thurman and Linda Thomas with sister Missina. He is married to Priscilla Rivas, of El Paso, TX and has two children. He graduated from the Ministerial Excellence Christian Academy of Mackinaw, IL, in 1998. He joined the United States Army in July 2000 out of St. Louis, MO, and separated in 2013 after 12 years of service. He's currently a studying for his B.S. in Social Psychology and minor in Criminal Justice at Park University, El Paso. He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason April 23, 2011 at Pride of the West Lodge No. 53, F&AM. One year later he was Exalted to Companion of Holy Royal Arch degree in El Paso Chapter No. 90. He's enjoys reading history, science, culture and law works of many authors, listening to many genres of music, and art. He looks to better himself and help others each and everyday.
Excellent High Priest (2015-2016)
PHP Dennis J. Elder was born on January 17, 1978. He was born and raised in Montgomery Alabama. He has one sister and four brothers. He graduated high school in 1995. He joined the military in June 1997 and attended Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) as a 63B Light Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic in Fort Jackson South Carolina. He earned a Master’s of Art in Psychology for Ashford University in 2017.
He joined Sunset Lodge # 76 PHA in February 1999. He became a member of Rio Grande Consistory #24 PHA in August 2000, and a member of Oro Temple #9 in October 2000. He served as the Worthy Patron for Rising Sun Chapter # 7 (OES) for the masonic year 2000.
In November 2002, He demitted into Unity Military Lodge # 92 Washington Jurisdiction PHA. He served as the Worshipful Master from October 2003 through November 2005. During his tenure Unity lodge # 92 received the following awards: Most improved lodge of the year, lodge of the year, secretary of the year, and worshipful master of the year. He became a member of Royal Arch MasonS PHA and Knight’s Templar PHA in 2003. He’s also a member of the American Legion Post # 832.
He moved back to El Paso, Texas and demitted back into Sunset Lodge # 76 in August 2009. He demitted into EL Paso Holy Royal Arch Masons # 90 in 2012. He held the office of Excellent High Priest for the 2014-2015 masonic year. During his tenure as high priest the chapter won the chapter of the year award, secretary of the year award, and Treasure of the year award.
Excellent High Priest (2014-2015)
PHP Emanuel Tucker was born in Madison Florida on 2 March 1977. After high school graduation he joined the U.S Army and served 20 years on Active Duty retiring as a Master Sergeant. During his tenure he was stationed at Fort Lewis WA, Larissa Greece, Fort Stewart GA, Daegu Korea, Fort Bliss TX, and Fort Drum NY. He deployed seven times in support of either Operation Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom and is a recipient of the Bronze Star medal. While serving he was able to complete an Associate’s degree from Pierce College in Steilacoom WA, a Bachelor of Arts from University of Maryland University College and a Master of Arts from American Military University in Charlestown WV. He is currently completing his Doctorate of Education from Grand Canyon University.
While serving as the EHP he was able to implement many new activities and continue tradition of other activities such as PHAmily and Friends, Annual Christmas Party, Community Thanksgiving Dinner, and the Annual banquet. Currently he serves as the editor for the newsletter and webmaster for www.elpasoholyroyalarch.com. He is also a member of Pride of the West Lodge #53 (served as Worshipful Master 2010-2011), DeMolay Commandery #22, Rio Grande Consistory, Crenshaw Commanders of the Rite, Lemuel L. Raynor Council #9, As Salam Temple #215, and a member of Hubert L. Reece Sr. class 2014 Grand Inspector Generals. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife, siblings, and masonic brethren. Currently he is working as a military contractor in Kabul Afghanistan.
Excellent High Priest (2009-2014)
Franck Richard Bonhomme was born on February 4, 1951 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He relocated to the United States on November 10, 1965, at fourteen years of age. While attending local schools in America he earned an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Restaurant Food Service Management.
Franck Bonhomme was a religious man who led by example. Franck enlisted in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and continued to serve his country during Desert Storm. He retired in El Paso, Texas after twenty years of service.
Franck Bonhomme became a Master Mason on June 19, 1982. He was a Past Master of the Pride of the West Lodge No. 53, Past High Priest of El Paso Holy Royal Arch Masons Chapter No. 90 and became a Grand Inspector General in October 2008, receiving the 33rd and last degree in Masonry. He belonged to every Prince Hall Masonic organization in the state of Texas.
He supported all the Masonic houses and many other organizations here in our El Paso community. He helped to organize many fundraisers for youth groups and youth athletic programs. Franck even went so far as to fund math and science programs for schools that could not afford them. Franck Bonhomme spoke several different languages fluently and used his knowledge on many occasions working in the community. Everyone truly remembers him for his cake and pie fundraisers.
When Franck couldn’t raise enough funds for these endeavors, he would finance them himself. He was also an educator; Franck would have weekly study halls at his home to educate his brethren on all Masonic studies. When he gave a lesson to study he would make sure that we followed through and truly studied. He would quiz us on everything, and if you failed or didn’t study he would let you know in his own way, which wasn’t always nice.
He loved every organization, but he took El Paso HRAM No. 90 under his wing and strived to make it the most successful chapter in Texas. For years Franck Bonhomme wanted to establish a way to appreciate everyone for their Good Work, True Work, and Square Work, so on September 17, 2012 he established our first Annual Appreciation Banquet. He wanted to make it clear that the banquet should honor all the members of Masonry, their families, their friends, and especially the El Paso Community for their support to El Paso HRAM No. 90. On June 16, 2013 Franck Bonhomme passed away, but his dreams and visions continue to live on. El Paso HRAM NO. 90 has won Chapter of the Year seven out of the last ten years, the last five times consecutively. Our Chapter has been mentioned at the Annual General Grand Conference as the best in the country. On September 17, 2015 the Appreciation Banquet was renamed the Franck R. Bonhomme Appreciation Banquet in honor of his accomplishments and the lives he has influenced.
Excellent High Priest (2005-2009)
PHP Duwan M. Mason, Sr., born April 17, 1967 in Louisville, Ky. graduated from Iroquois High School in 1985 and went on to attend University of Louisville where he played football. He joined the Army Reserves in 1986 while still attending University of Louisville and later joined the active Army in May 1987. Mr. Mason remained on active duty until May 1993 then later worked for the El Paso Sheriff’s department until September 1996. He currently is employed with the Department of Homeland security (ICE) Immigration and Custom Enforcement. PHP Mason has been married 20 years to his wonderful wife Kathy, and has five children four sons and one daughter. PHP Mason is highly involved in the community by giving his heart and soul to family, friends and peers. He speaks to youth groups about education and future endeavors, and he organizes community events such as the annual Friends and Family community cookout. He supports Breast Cancer Awareness, Alzheimer’s Awareness and local orphanages by hosting luncheons and dinners to raise funds for each of these causes. PHP Mason is always working to ensure El Paso remains a giving city by giving back and encouraging others to give back to the community. PHP Mason is a Grand Officer in the Masonic family, wearing many hats—devoted husband, father, brother, mentor, teacher, mediator and friend. He ensures each and every function he has a hand in is done on the highest professional level.