Donald Wooster,  Past Grand Commander, Knight Templar of North Carolina

Interview Date: 10-22-2015

Interview By:  Michael Gould & James Vance,  Fayetteville NC

Don was born in Peru, Indiana on June 28th, 1950.  He was raised by his father John Joseph Wooster, 33º, and mother Joyce Amber Wooster.   Don and his family lived in many small towns in Indiana and Illinois and for one year they lived in the upper peninsula of Michigan, where his father passed away in 1963.  Don has an older brother Chester (Chet) and a younger brother Robert (Bob).  Don's mother moved to North Carolina in 1984 and still lives in Cameron, North Carolina.   Don joined the United States Army in 1967.  He received his basic training at Fort Bliss Texas,  AIT at Ft. Huachuaca Arizona and attended Airborne Jump School at Ft. Benning Georgia.   He was then stationed at Fort Bragg, NC where he was attached to JJB 82nd ABN DivArty.   He has made Fayetteville his home since 1970.

Don attended Fayetteville Technical Community College where he studied Business Management.  He worked in the hospitality business for 11 years.  He started at Pet Dairy in 1988 and he is currently a Key Account Manager for Pet Dairy. 

In 1972 Don married Susan Dean Wooster.  She is the daughter of PGC Louis O. Dean  Jr..  Don and Sue have one daughter, Johnna, who is married to Jeremy (Jay) King.  Don has been blessed with three grandchildren: Justin, Jarret and Juleigh;  he often speaks of the blessings and joy of having his daughter and her family living next door.   

Donald Wooster,  Masonic Record

Symbolic Masonry:     Phoenix Lodge # 8 - Raised January 15th, 1980.  Master in 1986.

Capitular Masonry:     Phoenix CHapter # 2 R.A. M. - January 17, 1998.    High Priest in 2003.     Grand Council of the Order of High Priesthood of NC, May 7th, 2005.

Cryptic Masonry:         Fayetteville Council #27 R.& S.M. - January 17, 1998.  Illustrious Master  in 2004.  Super Excellence Master - June 29, 1998.  SEM Director of the Work 2006 to Present.  Thrice Illustrious Master on May 7, 2005.  Roanoke Council #1, R. & S. M. - January 10, 2004.

Chivalric Masonry:     Palestine Commandery #20, K.T. - January 17, 1998.  Knights Templar Eye Foundation - Life Member.  Commander in 2005.  Knight Crusaders of the Cross - May, 2006.  KC of the Asylum 2010-11.  Knights of the York Court of Honour - May 26, 2006.  Grand Warder Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of NC in 2003.  Grand Representative to Mass/RI - April 13, 2009.

Affiliated Bodies:        Scottish Rite - Valley of New Bern - April 24th, 1982.  Cumberland County Scottish Rite Club, Club President - 2002.  Director of the Work - 20th Degree - 2003 to 2010.  Knight Commander Court of Honor - 2005.    Sudan Shriners - New Bern - November 19, 1983.  Hope Mills Shrine Club Charter Member 1984, Club President - 2003.  Shamrock Thistle & Rose Council #2, Knight Mason - March 6, 1999, Excellent Chief - 2011.  A.M.D. Valley of the Cape Fear Council #24, June 5, 1999,  Sovereign Master 2002, 2006, 2007 & 2010.   National Sojourner's Chapter #97, April 23, 2002.  3-6-5 Club (Life Member) - Novemeber 25, 2003, Chapter President - 2009-2010.   Heroes of '76 - September 13, 2003, Camp Commander Cornelius Harnett - 2010-2011.     York Rite College #69,  Raleigh NC, August 20, 2004.   Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine - November 13, 2004.  Knight of the Red Branch of Eri.  Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests -2004.  Holy Sepulchre Tabernacle #III - 4th Pillar 2010.  Order of the Rainbow Girls - 1986 -1994. Board of Directors.  Cross of Color.   International order of Demolay - 1989-1994,  DAD - LaFayette Chapter.  Guild of the Leather Apron.