Gilbert Carlton Jr.

Gilbert Watson Carlton, Jr.
Gilbert W. Carlton passed away in Denver on October 14, 2022 at the age of 87. He was born April 16,
1935 to Iva Lena Cannedy Carlton and Gilbert W. Carlton, Sr. in Wichita Falls, Texas. Gilbert lost his
mother to breast cancer in 1945 when he was 10 years old. A few years later, he and his father moved to
Denver, where Gil graduated from South High School in 1953. He earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
in Business Administration from the University of Denver, and worked for many years as a financial
analyst for the Denver Water Board.

Gilbert married LaVonne Lippitt on June 16, 1963. They enjoyed 53 years of marriage until her death in
2016. Except for a few years living in Houston, Texas, they lived and worked in Denver. Gil and LaVonne
traveled extensively in the United States. He was a talented amateur photograher, beginning in his teenage
years, and had a huge collection of slides and prints. He especially enjoyed taking photos in the Colorado
Rockies, of Texas county courthouses, and, of course, of his lovely wife Vonnie. He was very interested in
history, especially the history of Texas, the Civil War and the Confederate States. He and LaVonne loved
big band music and often traveled to the yearly Glenn Miller anniversary celebration in Iowa.

Gil was very active in the Masonic fraternity at all levels.

He became a Master Mason on January 12, 1957, in Harmony Lodge No. 61 and presided over his lodge
as Worshipful Master in 1986. Gil further served that lodge as its Treasurer for many years and guided
much of the charitable giving of the Lodge. He was active in the Denver Masonic Officers Association,
serving as its president, and also in the Denver Masonic Service Association where he was an officer for
many years. He promoted the Research Lodge of Colorado and served as its Worshipful Master in 1996.
Showing his devotion to his home state, he was also a proud member of Texas Lodge of Research and
urged other Colorado masons to join there as well. Gilbert further served the fraternity by being a District
Lecturer for the Grand Lodge, overseeing Greenleaf, Joppa and Jacques de Molay lodges.

Gilbert started his journey through the York Rite of Masonry in 1962, joining Montview Chapter and
leading his chapter as High Priest in 1968. Montview Chapter later merged with two other Chapters to
become Triad Chapter No. 42. He entered Cryptic Masonry in Denver Council No. 1 in 1962 and demitted
to join Aurora Council No. 25, presiding over that Council in 1986-1987. He later joined Gaines Greene
Council. On May 25, 1962 he was knighted in Coronal Commandery No. 36, Knights Templar and led that
Commandery in 1973-74. Gilbert continued his leadership in the York Rite, serving as Grand Secretary of
the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Colorado, Grand Recorder of the Grand Council, Cryptic Masons
of Colorado and the Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Colorado for many
years. He also led the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Colorado as Most Illustrious Grand Master in
1994-95. He was instrumental in establishing the four—state Great Plains Rendezvous Festival that has
brought many new members into the Cryptic Masons. Gilbert was honored with membership in Pikes
Peak Priory No. 21, Knights of the York Cross of Honour in 1987. He also belonged to Centennial York
Rite College, where he served as Governor in 1990 and was awarded the highest honor of Order of the
Purple Cross by the Sovereign College of North America. He was a member of Pikes Peak Council of the
Allied Masonic Degrees and served as its Sovereign Master in 1994. He was also a member of the Royal
Order of Scotland. Gilbert was honored as a member of Crown of Thorns Tabernacle No XXVII, Holy Royal
Arch Knight Templar Priests where he served as Preceptor.

Gilbert was also extremely active in the Scottish Rite. He served as Wise Master of the Chapter of Rose
Croix in 1994 and was honored with the 33rd Degree Honorary in 2007. Gil was also a member of El Jebel
Shrine.

While Gilbert Carlton was recognized as a leader and honored many times for his accomplishments within
the Fraternity, he always remained an unassuming and humble man and Mason, friendly and open to all
brethren, and ready to support, aid and assist in promoting his beloved Fraternity.

Gilbert is survived and remembered by several nieces and nephews, many cousins, and numerous friends
and Masonic brethren who will dearly miss him. A memorial service in his honor will be held Friday,
October 28, 2022 at 1:00 pm at Horan & McConaty, 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave.