Sir Knight Larry W. Brown, Right Eminent Grand Commander

148^th Grand Commander of Knights Templar of Indiana

Larry W. Brown was born June 23, 1947 to Donald E. Brown and Waneta M. (Kean) Brown.  He was born in Bluffton, Indiana and graduated from Bluffton High School.  He was in the US Naval Reserve and in 1966 joined the US Air Force as a military police officer. After leaving the Air Force, he moved to Muncie, Indiana and became a Muncie Police Officer., and met his wife, Suanna.  He retired from the Muncie Police Force after 30 years of service, advancing to the position of Deputy Police Chief. Larry and Suanna have 5 children:  Larry II, Tonya, Jason, Aaron, and Amy. They also have 6 grandchildren.

 Larry graduated from Indiana Vocational Technical College with a degree in Building Construction.  He also graduated from the FBI National Academy in 1993.  He attended North Western University for Budgeting and Administration.  In pursuit of a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice, he attended Ball State University for 2 years and also took classes at Northwestern University, University of Louisville and the University of Virginia.

Larry was elected to two 4 year terms as township Trustee Assessor and 2 terms as Precinct Committeeman. He is a past board member of Big Brothers & Big Sisters and a past board member with the Mental Health Association.  He also was an Explorer Scout Advisor earning the Commissioner Award for East Central United States.

Larry and Suanna belonged to DeSoto United Methodist Church where he was on several boards and together he and Suanna taught Junior High Sunday School.  They now belong to New Burlington United Methodist Church.

 Sir Knight Brown was raised a Master Mason in Whitney Lodge #229 F&AM New Burlington, Indiana on December 2, 1986.  He served as Worshipful Master in 1995. He was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Muncie Chapter #30, R.A.M. and served as Excellent High Priest in 2000.  He was greeted a Cryptic Mason in Muncie Council #16 and served as Illustrious Master in 1998.  He was created a Knight Templar at Muncie’s Commandery #18 and served as Eminent Commander in 1998 and 1999.  He received the Commandery’s Distinguished Service Award in 2000.  Larry is now affiliated with the Anderson York Rite, where he served as Eminent Commander in 2005. He was appointed Grand Warder in the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar in 2003 and was elected Grand Junior Warden in 2004.

Larry also received the Scottish Rite degrees in the Valley of Indianapolis in 1987 and is a dual member with the Valley of Fort Wayne. He is currently Master of Entrances in Darius Council Princes of Jerusalem appointed in 2007.  He also became of a Knight of St Andrew at the Fort Wayne Scottish Rite in 2007. 

 Larry was elected to receive the Degrees of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America in 1988 in Fort Wayne College #55 where he served as Governor in 2005 and received the Order of the Purple Cross in Spokane, Washington in 2005.  He was appointed Indiana Deputy Grand Governor in 2006.

Other Masonic Affiliations Include Indiana Past Commanders Association (1998), Knight York Cross of Honor, Fort Wayne Priory #8 (2001), Yeoman of York, Indianapolis Preceptory #4 (2003), Allied Masonic Degrees of United States of America, Willard M. Avery #409 (2005), Red Cross of Constantine, Saint Basil Conclave (2007), Royal Order of Scotland (2008), , and International Order of DeMolay, Wells County Chapter Senior DeMolay; he received the DeMolay Legion of Honor (Active) 2007.

 He started his Grand Commandery service as a Deputy Battalion Commander in Battalion IV in 2002-2003 and was appointed Grand Warder in 2003-2004. Elected and installed Right Eminent Grand Commander April 24, 2009.