The following eulogy was delivered by Eminent Frater Robert.
Venerable Frater James Orr Dean was known to us most of us here. We all knew him in different ways and different aspects of his character and he was a complex character in every sense of the phrase. He was a man of passions, he loved fast cars; his boat; sailing; food; his dogs (whosever they belonged to, they always seemed to end up snuggling up to Jim;) his honest regard for his friends; his love of masonry in all it’s forms and most of all his love for his family.
Jim started work in his family’s business helping out in the shop. He wanted to join the Army but his mum Jinty was dead set against it and the closest he got was three years service in “A” Squadron of The Queens Own Yeomanry. His talents and his build were put to good use during his service as “the silver guard” whose role it was to literally to guard the regimental silver when it was taken from the armoury for use at official functions. It was a task that carried a weight of responsibility and conferred on the guard the rank of “acting sergeant” for the duration of the duties. One of the qualifications for the job was that the ornate no 1 dress uniform that was required to be worn, had to fit the silver guard and it fitted Jim to a tee. It was a role Jim revelled in and enjoyed. Jim’ service with the yeomanry came to an end with his acceptance as a probationer with Ayrshire Constabulary.
Jim took to life in the force like a duck to water. He loved the job and during his service he was stationed at various locations from Girvan in the south to Kilbirnie in the north. His time in the service was to say the least, eventful. Jim had his leg smashed twice on active service. The damage done to his leg on the second occasion was such that his life was threatened when the wound became seriously infected and the surgeon treating him wanted to amputate – but Jim refused to contemplate this and against the odds he battled through.
Station After a lengthy recovery Jim returned to duty as the Warrants Officer based at Kilmarnock Police Station and his organisational ability was much appreciated in this role. Jim’s most treasured memory was perhaps when he actually saved a man’s life one evening by pulling him from a burning house up in Kilbirnie. His heroism was not without cost to himself as he suffered from smoke inhalation as a result of his efforts. Jim’s exit from the force was as a result of the damage he suffered to his leg which left him with a degree of permanent disability. As a serving Officer he could not serve with more than a ten percent level of disability.
Jim, as has been said, threw himself into everything he did and to give you a flavour of his passion for masonry let me sketch an outline of his Masonic career; Jim was a a Past First Principal of Hurlford Royal Arch Chapter; Past Worshipful Mark Master of Mason’s Lodge; Past Thrice Illustrios Master of Hurlford Cryptic Council; Past Worshipful Commander Noah and Chief of Loudoun Royal Ark Mariners Lodge and Council; Past Preceptor of Hurlford Preceptory and Priory; Past Worthy Supreme Ruler of Cunninghame St Marnock Conclave of the Society of David and Johnathan; Past Watcher of the Shepherds of the White Shrine; Past Royal Grand Patron of the Amaranth; Provincial Grand Treasurer of the Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Ayrshire; past 4th Ancient of the Muse Coila Conclave of the Societas Rosicrucianus in Scotia holding the grade of Adeptus Minor; He was an office bearer in the 18th Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Rite in Ayr; He continued to serve his Arch and his Preceptory as Treasurer and the Cryptic and Mariners as Recorder. He was a member of of the Conclave (Red Cross of Constantine) He was an officer and member of the Knight Templar Priests and an Illustrious Brother of the 30 Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Jim’s life was a life of service.
Pro Deo et Partria.
