Tom Eggleston, P.G.M., 4/10/10

M. W. Brother Tom passed away on Friday, April 9, 2010.

Funeral arrangements are below. 

Friends may call from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 13 at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, 4200 First Avenue NE in Cedar Rapids with a Masonic Memorial Service following at 7:15 P.M. Grand Lodge will open in the Cedar Rapids Masonic Temple, 210 Sixth Street NE, at 6:00 P.M.

On Wednesday, April 14, funeral services will be held at the Noelridge Park Christian Church, 7111 C Avenue NE in Cedar Rapids at 10:00 A.M., with a lunch to follow. Burial will take place at the Linwood Park Cemetery at Boone at 3:00 P.M.

Expressions of care and concern may be sent to his widow Barb at 298 40^th Street NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402-5616.

Memorial donations in Tom’s honor may be made to either Camp Courageous or Noelridge Christian Church.

Tom and I served our respective Red Cross Conclaves as Sovereign in 1993. Tom was a great Mason and a friend. He served Iowa Masonry as Deputy Grand Secretary for 10 years and then as Grand Secretary for another 10 years. Following his terms in those offices he was Grand Master of Masons in Iowa. Tom came to me once for help in getting legislation before Grand Lodge. He asked me to help with having Arcadia Lodge sponsor the Prince Hall recognition in Iowa. He believed that all Masons were brothers no matter what the color of their skin.

He worked raising money for Camp Courageous. He lived Masonry and is one of the finest men I have ever known. It saddens me that countless Masons yet to come will not have the chance to meet and know him but it gladdens me to know that his example and contribution to Masonry and the world has helped to leave a legacy for them.

"Something has spoken to me in the night, burning the tapers of the waning year; something has spoken in the night, and told me I shall die, I know not where. Saying: "To lose the earth you know, for greater knowing; to lose the life you have for greater life; to leave the friends you loved, for greater loving; to find a land more kind than home, more large than earth- -Whereon the pillars of this earth are founded, toward which the conscience of the world is tending-a wind is rising, and the rivers flow."
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From You Can't Go Home Again - Thomas Wolfe. 

R.W. Wade Sheeler wrote of Tom:

Iowa Masonry lost a true icon today in the passing of MW Bro. Tom Eggleston PGM. He was a fine example of what a Mason should be...always a friend willing to help others out. I am glad he was a part of my life. Rest well my friend and brother. You have passed to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns. You have now received the Masters' Long Lost Word.

Godspeed Brother Tom, we will keep you in our memories.