Vale, Brother John "Corky" Wheeler Daut, PM

From WBro Damien, Devotion News Editor.

Brother John “Corky” Daut was 64 years old in December of 1992 when he was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason, Worshipful Master at 77 and with dedication, diligence and enthusiasm in his own words, worked “hard to squeeze in what I missed during those years before 1992”.

Corky passed away recently at the age of 88, but I must say, he did squeeze a lot into his 24 years as a Master Mason and became well known to many people as the Editor of the STTM. Like someone else slightly younger and dear to us, Corky showed us that at 88 one can make a wide and meaningful contribution to those around us; he was not just the Secretary of Waller Masonic Lodge #808, but a globally known Masonic E-publisher and spread much light to his readers. He was friend and educator to many.

I can’t write about Corky without mentioning he was a proud Texan. Just as you will find scattered in his publications and web sites, I must include a Texan Flag with these words I write about him (on the web it is almost always a gif file with the flag waving proudly in the wind). Every edition of the STTM I can think of he would run articles about Texan History and People with a Masonic spin, indeed if there is one thing Corky tried (successfully) to project was the important place Freemasonry has in that state’s development. We both shared patriotism (albeit for different Nations). He was impressed with my years of research on Famous Australian Freemasons, but he never published it – because there’s no Texan’s on the list! He did like educational pieces and was a fan of Don’s Diary. They would have probably got on well.

Corky’s Official Obituary simply does do him justice. I hope I did some here. It does importantly note however “Mr. Daut is survived by his sons, John N. Daut and wife, Rebecca and David B. Daut and wife, Gail; daughters, Valerie L. Daut and Becky A. Brown and spouse, Richard; sister, Neila Martin; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Nellie V. Daut“

Internet Freemasons may know of Fred Milliken. He wrote an Obit on www.freemasoninformation.com about Corky. I will close out with his words;

The Small Town Texas Masons E-Magazine

But he is best known for “The Small Town Texas Masons E-Magazine” that he published every month. It was a prodigious undertaking that included Masonic articles from all over the world. From Masonic News to esoteric studies to writings from the Old Masters and everything in between, the magazine covered the thought and the going-ons of Freemasonry. He wrote the last edition just weeks before his death. He also published a newsletter-magazine for his own Lodge, Waller Lodge of Pine Island Texas where he touted, “We Are The Largest, ‘Small Town Texas Lodge’ Web Site, On The Internet, Over 100 Pages of Masonic Information and Education.”

He was raised to a Master Mason in the Cedar Bayou Lodge #321 at the age of 64. Later he joined Humble Lodge #79 but demitted from both when he moved to Pine Island Texas. There he joined Waller Lodge #808 and became its Master in 2005. Along the way he affiliated with Hempsted Lodge #749 and became its Secretary.

Brother Daut’s enthusiasm for the Craft and his outreach to Masons all over the world from a small Texas community makes his accomplishments all the more laudable. He showed the world what can be done when your heart is in the right place and you possess and display the peace and harmony that Masonry teaches you.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant! Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!”

Please show your acknowledgment for the work and life of Corky by signing his Condolence Book at the below link

http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/dignitymemorial/guestbook.aspx?n=john-corky-daut&pid=180659362