ASSISTANT RABBAN
Tim Farris
It can be said, without a doubt, that your Oasis Oriental Guide, Tim Farris, brings many years of Masonic, Shrine and public service experience to what is called the “moving line” on the Oasis Divan. Initially, Tim was appointed Second Ceremonial Master by Ill. Sir Bill Carter in 2020.
Worshipful Brother Tim is a past master of Whetstone Lodge No. 515 in Bessemer City. He is also an honorary member of Gaston Lodge No. 263, and a 33rd-degree Scottish Rite Mason. Tim is a Degree Master and Past Wise Master for the Valley of Charlotte Scottish Rite as well a member of Lenoir York Rite Bodies.
He has served as president of both the Cherryville and Gaston County Shrine clubs during a Masonic career that began with his being raised to the Third Degree in 1981 at Whetstone Lodge. He has been a member of the Oasis Ritualistic Class since 1994 and served as Captain of that unit in 2007 and 2008.
And during all of that, Brother Tim had a career as a deputy sheriff in Gaston County that led up to his being named Chief Deputy of the department… He retired in 2012 after a 35-year career in law enforcement.
Tim served as a member of the Army National Guard for six years, has been a long-time member and active participant in Bessemer City’s First Wesleyan Church. He has served on a number of charitable boards and organizations including the Greater Gaston Girls and Boys Clubs, the Gaston Skills Advocacy Board, the Gaston County ARC, Cornerstone Christian Ministries and also Gaston’s Reinvestment in the Communities, a panel advocating for the homeless and affordable housing.
If that’s not enough, WB Tim is also a member of the Crowder’s Mountain and Red Fez Shrine clubs and Oasis Hillbilly Clan No. 13. He currently serves as a member and past Director of the Royal Order of Jesters, Court 109, and is a Life Member of Oasis and the Royal Order of Scotland.
The first Mason in his family, Tim has also coached his brother (and Past Potentate) Billy Farris through the degrees, as well as his great nephew Brandon.
Tim and his Lady, Betty Duncan, have been familiar faces at scores of Oasis functions throughout the years. If his progress through the Divan continues as it should, he will become Potentate of Oasis 2026, and it would be the first time two brothers have ever served as Potentate in Oasis Shrine history.
Tim makes his home in Mt. Holly, NC and is a lifelong Gaston County resident.
“To be appointed to the Oasis Divan is certainly one of the highest honors of my life,” WB Tim said after his selection was announced at the January installation of the Oasis 2020 leadership. “I pledge to do my best to serve our great fraternity to the utmost of my ability.”
And during all of that, Brother Tim had a career as a deputy sheriff in Gaston County that led up to his being named Chief Deputy of the department… He retired in 2012 after a 35-year career in law enforcement.
Tim served as a member of the Army National Guard for six years, has been a long-time member and active participant in Bessemer City’s First Wesleyan Church. He has served on a number of charitable boards and organizations including the Greater Gaston Girls and Boys Clubs, the Gaston Skills Advocacy Board, the Gaston County ARC, Cornerstone Christian Ministries and also Gaston’s Reinvestment in the Communities, a panel advocating for the homeless and affordable housing.
If that’s not enough, WB Tim is also a member of the Crowder’s Mountain and Red Fez Shrine clubs and Oasis Hillbilly Clan No. 13. He currently serves as a member and past Director of the Royal Order of Jesters, Court 109, and is a Life Member of Oasis and the Royal Order of Scotland.
The first Mason in his family, Tim has also coached his brother (and Past Potentate) Billy Farris through the degrees, as well as his great nephew Brandon.
Tim and his Lady, Betty Duncan, have been familiar faces at scores of Oasis functions throughout the years. If his progress through the Divan continues as it should, he will become Potentate of Oasis 2026, and it would be the first time two brothers have ever served as Potentate in Oasis Shrine history.
Tim makes his home in Mt. Holly, NC and is a lifelong Gaston County resident.
“To be appointed to the Oasis Divan is certainly one of the highest honors of my life,” WB Tim said after his selection was announced at the January installation of the Oasis 2020 leadership. “I pledge to do my best to serve our great fraternity to the utmost of my ability.”
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