Most Excellent Companion
David E. Sokol, DSM-B, KTCH, KYGCH
Grand High Priest
Royal Arch Masons of California
Most Excellent Companion David E. Sokol the 170th Grand High Priest of California was born in Concord California, to the parents of Alex and Martha Sokol. Alex, a Russian immigrant was an outstanding Pastry Chef and worked in that trade his entire life. At the age of ten, David’s family moved to Anderson where they purchased another pastry shop. This is where David developed his work ethic and received his education about life in general. The bakery was the focal point of the small community, and was where business, politics and most of all Masonry was dissected, argued and discussed.
David worked in the family bakery until he was 17, at which time he joined the National Guard and went to Basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and then to Cooks School at Fort Ord, California. David served in the Guard until he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant E-5.
He worked for Kimberly Clark Corporation for 6 years until the mill started closing. He then rejoined the family bakery for a short period of time until being hired as a cook by the Shasta County Sheriff’s office. He stayed with the Sheriff’s Office for 35 years before retiring as the department’s Correctional Plant Manager.
David’s formal education after High School was in Business Management at Shasta College. He also completed POST Training for Correctional Officers and several POST Corrections-certified courses. In May 1987, he was awarded a Commendation Certificate from the State Attorney General’s Office.
David’s Masonic journey started in his freshman year of High School when he joined the Anderson Chapter Order of DeMolay and served as Master Councilor in 1971. David participated in DeMolay until he became a Senior DeMolay. Later he became the Dad Advisor of Redding Chapter. His passion for ritual and the fraternity’s brotherhood encouraged him to join Mt. Shasta Lodge No. 281 in Anderson. David served as Master twice and then once again after it consolidated with Vesper Lodge No. 84 in Red Bluff. He was also honored to serve the Grand Lodge of California as Inspector of the 206 District and Inspector at Large for Division II and on the Youth Orders Committee.
David’s desire for further light, has led him to the York Rite, Scottish Rite, Order of Easter Star and numerous other Bodies of the Craft, and has served those bodies in many capacities.
Youth Groups
Past Master Councilor, Dad Advisor, Represented DeMolay, Legion of Honor, Rainbow Dad, Chairman of the Advisory Board Redding Assembly.
Order of Easter Star
Mt Shasta Chapter, Red Bluff Chapter & Northern Lights Chapter Serving as Worthy Patron 9 different times.
York Rite Bodies
Shasta Chapter No. 9 Redding
Red Bluff Chapter No. 40 Red Bluff
Shasta Council No. 6 Mt. Shasta
Shasta Commandery No. 17 Redding
Other York Rite Bodies
Past Prior, San Francisco Priory, Knights of the York Cross of Honor
Golden Redwood Priory, Red Bluff
Past Sovereign, St. Francis Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine
Cross and Crown Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine
Past Governor, Secretary, Sacramento Valley York Rite College
Past Sovereign Master, Edwin J. Gribble Council, Allied Masonic Degrees
Past Excellent Chief, Sheehan Council, Knight Masons
New Covenant Tabernacle Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest
Past Chief, Golden Claymore Clan, Royal Order of Scotland
Robert the Bruce Association, Royal Order of Scotland
Scottish Rite
Valley of Sacramento Past Venerable Master Lodge of Perfection
Knight Commander Court of Honour (KCCH)
Shrine
Ben Ali Temple Sacramento
Tehama County Shrine Club
Nor Cal Shrine Club
Ben Ali Peace Officers Unit