Louis Livingston Honored For 70 Years Of Masonry Service

On May 15, Eureka Lodge #170 celebrated Past Master Louis Dean Livingston’s 69 years in the Order of Eastern Stars Elect Ladies No. 15, and 70 years uninterrupted service in Masonry.

Working for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge (MWPHGL) of Missouri and its Jurisdiction under the current leadership of Grand Master Lamont P. Mitchell, Livingston has performed countless functions and roles within the F & AM Masons (Free and Accepted Masons).

Louis Dean Livingston has served on many boards and committees, in the community at large and within Masonry, including performing the duties as the Overseer of Works in the Scottish Rite Temple

Prince Hall F & AM.

In his honor the Elect Ladies No. 15 gave a $100 donation in his name to a local charity of his choosing. In addition, by the end of 2022, Eureka lodge #170 will finish the launch of a nonprofit titled The Louis Dean Livingston 357 Charitable Foundation. It will help black youth in the Kansas City, Missouri, community in order to build culture unity and increase black leaders for the community.

A Certificate of Service was presented to Livingston on behalf of the MWPHGL of Missouri by GM Lamont P. Mitchell, the 47th Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

Livingston was born on September 27, 1928, in KCMO. He is the 4th of 6 six children born to Reverend

G. W. and Angie Lee Livingston.

His life-long accomplishments and undertakings were many and varied:

Livingston was active in YMCA and the American Youth Club. At 12 years of age, he became a member of the Boy Scouts, and became the first Black American to attain the rank of Eagle Scout in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1946.

In time Louis served as Vice Chairman of the Choteau District of the KC Area Council of Boy Scouts of America and served as Chairman of Public Relations for the District overseeing 64 individual units, 1500 plus young men, and 420 adult leaders.

After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1946, he attended Lincoln Junior College and received his Associates Degree in Science in 1948. Livingston also attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Kansas City university, and Missouri university at Columbia, majoring in chemistry.

Livingston joined the Reserved Officers Training Corp (ROTC), and was a member of the student council. He later became a member of the Civil Air Patrol where he obtained his pilot’s license in 1945. Louis blended hard work and personal community projects along with participating in his school’s basketball, football, and track teams, at both the high school and college levels.

Livingston worked as a teacher for one year in the Kansas City School district. He eventually accepted employment with Ralston Purina, serving as their Safety Director until his retirement.

Livingston was a member of the legendary St. Stephen Baptist Church of Kansas City, serving as a Youth Center Director. Livingston also was a member of the Board of Christian Education.

He is a lifetime and active member of the NAACP, having served as an officer of the Kansas City Branch.

On April 19, 1952, Livingston became a member of Eureka Lodge #170, Prince Hall Free & Accepted Masons of Missouri and its Jurisdiction, earning the honors of a 3rd degree Mason. He ultimately earning all 33 degrees.

In 1953 he became a member of Order of the Eastern Star Chapter Elect Ladies Chapter No. 15, and served as the Patron of the chapter from 1954 to 1956.

He served as Master of his lodge from 1956 to 1958. He also served as president of the area’s Masters and Wardens Council from 1955 to 1958.

Livingston has also served as the elected Grand Sentinel of Harmony Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation

F & AM of Missouri and its Jurisdiction.

In 1966 Livingston was elected Grand Associate Patron of Harmony Grand Chapter. He has also served as Patron for the Chapter of Sorrow Degree Team of the Grand Chapter since 1957.

In 1964, Livingston was appointed Advisor to the Pythagoreans, in the Western District of Missouri.

Livingston’s heart for the community continues to provide thought-provoking counsel when visited, called, or in discussions with friends, relatives, or members of the community and the Masonry.

Livingston is soft spoken, respected man who has never been known to say an unkind word or raise his voice in anger or disgust. He commands a calmness that is grounded by an anchor in his strong belief that unity is the only hope not only for the survival of the Masonic fraternity, but also for the survival of Black culture.

Livingston continually serves as a beacon to his community and the masonry at large, pushing all to build off one another to create and construct legacies that build future inheritance to make the black community at large even greater.

Livingston is married to Wanda Louise Livingston of Kansas City, Missouri, and is father of 3 children Sharian, Sheilah, and Shawn.