John Ridenour: Candidate for CMMRF Trustee
John Ridenour is a lifelong resident of Oregon with a long record of Masonic, professional, civic, and community service.
He has served as a Trustee of the Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation since 2017 and brings decades of administrative and leadership experience from throughout the Masonic fraternity.
B.A., 1979
Technical Training Engineer & Master Trainer
2017 to Present
Personal and Professional Background
John is a lifelong Oregon resident. He married Catherine J. Walker Ridenour in 1984, and they have three children: Laura, Jack, and Meghan.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oregon in 1979.
Professionally, he retired from Intel, where he served as a Technical Training Engineer and Master Trainer.
Cryptic Masonry and CMMRF
John became a member of Columbia Council No. 19 in 1988 and has served Cryptic Masonry at the local, Grand Council, and General Grand Council levels.
He has served as a Trustee of the CMMRF Board of Trustees since 2017 and as Grand Treasurer of the Grand Council of Oregon since 2018.
Cryptic Masonry
- Columbia Council No. 19, member since 1988
- Illustrious Master, 2005
- Recorder/Treasurer, 2003-2024
- Most Illustrious Grand Master of Oregon, 2010-2011
- General Grand Council Ambassador to Oregon, 2011-2014
- Order of the Secret Vault, 2012
- Trustee, CMMRF Board of Trustees, 2017 to present
- Grand Treasurer, Grand Council of Oregon, 2018 to present
Service Throughout the York Rite
Capitular Masonry
- Columbia Chapter No. 53, member since 1988
- High Priest, 2004
- Secretary/Treasurer, 2003-2024
- Grand High Priest of Oregon, 2007-2008
- General Grand Chapter RAM International Ambassador to Oregon, 2014-2017 and 2023-2026
- Ephraim Kirby Award, 2016
- Grand Treasurer, 2017 to present
Chivalric Masonry
- Washington Commandery No. 18, member since 1998
- Charter Member, Columbia Commandery No. 26, 2004
- Commander, 2008
- Recorder/Treasurer, 2003-2024
- Grand Commander of Oregon, 2014-2015
- Knight Commander of the Temple, 2016
- Grand Treasurer, 2017 to present
Symbolic Masonry
John became a member of St. Helens Lodge No. 32 in 1981.
- Worshipful Master, 1988, 2000, and 2001
- Hiram Award, 1999
- Treasurer, 2020-2023
- Secretary/Treasurer, 2024 to present
Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Oregon:
- District Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 2, December 1996 to July 1999
- Grand Lecturer, July 1999 to June 2003 and June 2005 to June 2007
- District Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 1, June 2023 to June 2026
Additional Masonic Service
York Rite & Allied Bodies
- Champoeg York Rite College No. 96, 2005
- Vanport York Rite College No. 205
- Governor, 2016
- Order of the Purple Cross, 2019
- Grand Governor of Oregon, 2019-2024
- Oregon Priory No. 37, KYCH, 2008
- Prior, 2019
- Columbia River Council No. 28, AMD, 2009
- Sovereign, 2017
Additional Masonic Bodies
- Saint Laurence Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, 2005
- Sovereign, 2014
- Intendant General of Oregon, 2023 to present
- Willamette River Lodge No. 3, Royal Ark Mariners, 2009
- Father Noah, 2017
- Bethany Tabernacle No. XVI, HRAKTP, 2012
- Preceptor, 2024
- Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Portland Valley, 1983
Community Service
Greater St. Helens Park & Recreation District
- Elected Director, 1993-2003
- Board President, 1997-2001
- Public Member of the Budget Committee, 2004-2010
First United Methodist Church, St. Helens
- Budget Committee Chairman, 1987-1992
- Lay Member to Annual Conference, 1993-1996
Decades of Service to Masonry
John Ridenour's record reflects decades of leadership in Cryptic, Capitular, Chivalric, and Symbolic Masonry, along with continued service to CMMRF and his community.
