"I thank God and Texas Masonic Retirement Community for helping me. Now I have a place to live for the rest of my life.”

In 1958. Alice, 18, and Richard, 19, fell in love while helping customers at Leonard’s Department Store in downtown Fort Worth, Texas.

In 2019, the couple celebrated a milestone 60-year wedding anniversary.

“We went to cross-town rival schools,” said Alice. “At homecoming, our teams played against one another. I sat on his side of the football field, wearing his team’s homecoming mum. I had to love him to do that!” she remembers.

Over the years, Richard built a long and steady work history in warehousing. “He started with an auto dealership and then moved to the City of Fort Worth – Traffic Control. He retired from Johnson & Johnson in North Richland Hills. Richard’s last job was at the front desk in the main office as a night watchman. He was always a good provider for his family,” said Alice.

Richard was a lifelong Mason. Alice’s father, also a committed Mason, encouraged him to get involved. In later years, the couple’s son also joined the fraternity. At one point, the men represented three generations of Masonic service in Stockyards Lodge #1244.

With three children, Alice was a full-time mother until all were in their early teens. “Then I went to work with the State of Texas – Education Center. For twenty years, I coordinated sending, repairing, and evaluating films, and later videos, for schools all over the state.”

In the early 2000’s, the couple retired and immediately volunteered with a special church outreach program. Their ministry took them to multiple states, with visits to more than 80 churches over the next ten years. In addition, the couple cared for her mother, who lived with the family for three decades.

A stitch work square and compass was key to the couple’s much-needed move to Texas Masonic Retirement Community.

"Every year the rent went up. But, our money didn’t go up.”

As the years passed, Richard and Alice downsized, eventually living in an apartment in Haltom City. “We were getting close to 80-years-old. Every time our lease was up, the rent went up. But, our money didn’t go up,” said Alice. “And, Richard had diabetes, kidney failure, heart problems, and other serious health issues.”

A home health therapist noticed a framed Masonic square and compass stitchwork hanging in their living room. “With the problems you’re having, why don’t you check out Texas Masonic Retirement Community?” she suggested. Within three weeks the couple moved into their apartment at TMRC.

On Christmas Day 2018, a few months after their move to TMRC, Richard grew dizzy and stumbled forward. Alice stepped up to help him balance. Richard fell toward her—knocking her to the ground and slamming her head against a brick step. With a severe head injury, Alice lay in a coma for four days followed by four months in TMRC’s Nursing Care Area.

Although Alice recovered from her injury, Richard’s health continued to deteriorate. He passed away in April 2019.

“I thank God and Texas Masonic Retirement Community for helping me,” said Alice. “Now I have a place to live for the rest of my life.”

The No Mason Left Behind Project helps provide older Texas Masons and their qualified loved ones with all-inclusive 24 hour a day/7 days a week accommodations at Texas Masonic Retirement Community--including medical services and nursing care. The cost of these benefits exceeds $2.5 million annually.

Want to make a personal donation to the No Mason Left Behind Project? You can use our secure online donation service or print out and mail in a donation form. We look forward to recognizing your kindness and benevolence. A complete list of recognition awards and amenities is included below the donation buttons and in the online donation form.

Donations from Lodges, Chapters, Councils, OES, and other Masonic organizations make a tremendous difference!
Check our Lodge Donation Summary for more information about donating and recognition for your Masonic organization.

       

Recognition for Your Personal Donation
(Our donation year begins Sept. 1 and ends Aug. 31 of the following year)

$50 - $99 Membership Level Donation
You are honored with these recognition amenities

• You will be  recognized at this donation level in Honor Rolls displayed on posters and banners at Family Day, on the TMRC website, and at the TMRC booth at Grand Lodge
• You will receive a special annual lapel pin and a subscription to our quarterly e-newsletter.
  (Our donation year begins Sept. 1 and ends Aug. 31 of the following year)

$100 - $499 Honor Level Donation
You are honored with these recognition amenities

• You will be recognized at this donation level in Honor Rolls displayed on posters and banners at Family Day, on the TMRC website, and at the TMRC booth at Grand Lodge
• You will receive a special annual lapel pin and a subscription to our quarterly e-newsletter.
  (Our donation year begins Sept. 1 and ends Aug. 31 of the following year)

$500 - $999 Tribute Level Donation
You are honored with these recognition amenities

• You will be honored with a desktop award for your home or office
• You will be recognized at this donation level in Honor Rolls displayed on posters and banners at Family Day, on the TMRC website, and at the TMRC booth at Grand Lodge
• You will receive a special annual lapel pin and a subscription to our quarterly e-newsletter.
  (Our donation year begins Sept. 1 and ends Aug. 31 of the following year)

$1,000 - $4,999 Legacy Level Donation
You are honored with these recognition amenities

• You will be honored with a large desktop award for your home or office
• You will be recognized by the Master of Ceremonies at Family Day and on a special major donor poster displayed at Texas Masonic Retirement Community year around
• You will be saluted at this level in a video displayed on the TMRC website, in the TMRC e-newsletter, and on social media.
• You will be recognized at this donation level in Honor Rolls displayed on posters and banners at Family Day, on the TMRC website, and at the TMRC booth at Grand Lodge
• You will receive a special annual lapel pin and a subscription to our quarterly e-newsletter.
  (Our donation year begins Sept. 1 and ends Aug. 31 of the following year)

 $5,000 or More - Regency Level Donation
You are honored with these recognition amenities

• You will be honored with a large wall plaque for your home or office
  
• You will be recognized individually by the Master of Ceremonies at Family Day and on a special major donor poster displayed at Texas Masonic Retirement Community year around
• You will be saluted at the highest giving level in a video displayed on the TMRC website, in the TMRC e-newsletter, and on social media.
• You will be recognized at this donation level in Honor Rolls displayed on posters and banners at Family Day, on the TMRC website, and at the TMRC booth at Grand Lodge
• You will receive a special annual lapel pin and a subscription to our quarterly e-newsletter.
  (Our donation year begins Sept. 1 and ends Aug. 31 of the following year)

Your donation of any amount is appreciated and helps provide for Texas Masons and their loved ones.