Ray Purvis

Mayor Otis Ray Purvis was born in Cross Plains Sept. 27, 1943, Ray attended Cross Plains schools for 12 years before enrolling in Garlands Barber College in 1962.  He went into business for himself in 1965 and has operated his own shop for 45 years. He married Kathy S. Payne, daughter of Jimmie Lee and Virginia Payne on July 5^th 1969. They have two children, Kevin R. Purvis and wife Yvonne of Fort Worth and, daughter Angela S. Purvis of New Mexico. 

After being initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason in December 1966 Ray has accumulated an impressive Masonic resume.   His partial record reads as follows:

Master of the Lodge 1981, 1995; Served as Secretary for 25 years; District Deputy Grand Master 1984; District Educational Officer 1990; District Masonic Relations Officer 1994

Life Member 1994; Life Esoteric certificate; Floor School Instructor since 1991; District Instructor since 1991; Golden Trowel Award 1999; York Rite Mason since 1981; Twenty-eight year member and endowed Scottish Rite Mason and member of Suez Shrine.

As an unpaid secretary and District Instructor, Ray continues to spread  the cement that unites our fraternity at many levels.  His zeal for the Free Masons is second only to his church, family country.  All the while, he goes quietly about this without expectation or reward or recognition.

Besides his zeal for Masonry, Ray remains active in church, community and civic affairs.  He was elected to Cross Plains City council 1978 to 1990 before being elected Mayor in 1996.  He is also a member of the Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce.  He and wife Kathy are active members of First Baptist Church where Kathy sings in the Choir and Ray has served on various committees.

Mayor Purvis was summoned to the Scottish Rite Bodies of Ft. Worth this past month to be invested with the high rank of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour, (KCCH).  The Scottish Rite reserves this designation for 32^nd Degree Masons deserving recognition for faithful services to the Rite and Masonry in general.  The respective Sovereign Grand Inspectors General or Deputies likewise nominate members for this honor, and these must also be unanimously approved by The Supreme Council. This Investiture is a prerequisite of receiving the Thirty-third Degree at some later time, though relatively few receive this distinction.