History

The Country Boys are widely considered to be Oklahoma's premiere Masonic degree team. The group is composed of members from every corner of the state, but claim Caddo Lodge #3 in Caddo, Oklahoma as home. For over 25 years, this team has worked to promote a love and respect for the Masonic ritual work as well as strengthening the bonds of fraternal brotherhood.

In the early 1980's many lodges in Southeastern Oklahoma found it impossible to properly confer our extensive Masonic degrees, or rites of initiation. Replacements for experienced members who knew the work were not forthcoming as they retired or passed away. What had been the basic rule --- that a lodge could confer all three degrees using only their own members --- had in fact become the exception. Something had to be done to save Masonry in Southeastern Oklahoma. The result was the Country Boys.

The idea of forming the group is credited to Billy D. Sullivan (Past Grand Master 1975) and Paul Owens. Their idea was to form a group of the best ritualists in Southeastern Oklahoma to assist the lodges in getting the initiation work done. They also hoped to inspire the brethren to a greater love and appreciation for the beautiful Oklahoma Masonic ritual work. Larry Hall suggested a uniform of blue and white striped overalls and a white dress shirt. His brother Glovis suggested the name - "The Country Boys". The idea caught hold in short order and before long this group of fine Masons was off and running.

Membership has never been exclusive. Since day one, the only requirement was to know a small part of our ritual work and own a pair of regulation blue and white striped overalls. Practice sessions are held every single Tuesday of the year (unless Christmas day happens to fall on Tuesday) at Caddo Lodge #3 --- the home of the Country Boys.

The Country Boys have conferred literally hundreds of degrees throughout Oklahoma and many other states since their inception. As no records were kept, the exact number will never be known. But the hundreds of Master Masons who can claim to have been raised by them are silent testimony to their industriousness. Many of the greatest leaders and finest ritualists in Oklahoma Masonry have worked on the team. Our steadfast desire is for this team to confer thousands more degrees in the years to come.