Bob Grissom Masonic Memorial Scholarship surpasses 100 recipients

Sometimes, the saddest days of our lives serve as springboards for newfound inspiration.

On May 22, 2007, Russellville Mayor David Grissom experienced such a day when his father, Robert Reed ‘Bob’ Grissom, passed away at the young age of 60.

In the days following Bob’s passing, Grissom and his mother Judy wanted to do something special to honor the man who was the cornerstone of their lives.

Outside of his family and faith, one of the most special parts of Bob’s life was his membership in Russellville Masonic Lodge 371, where he was a Past Master, having served as Worshipful Master in 1975-76.

So David, also a Russellville Lodge 371 member, talked with Lodge members to see if they would be interested in doing some sort of memorial scholarship in his father’s name.

The answer from the Lodge? In a word, ‘yes.’

In order for a memorial scholarship in Bob’s name to include the word ‘Masonic,’ it required a trip to Montgomery to seek approval from the Grand Lodge.

The diligence of Lodge 371 members finally paid off when they received approval to create the Bob Grissom Masonic Memorial Scholarship.

The following year, in 2008, through fundraising efforts, the Lodge raised $1,000 to award the inaugural scholarship to a Russellville High School senior.

As the years went by, fund raising efforts grew and, combined with support from the Grissom family, multiple recipients received their $1,000 Bob Grissom Masonic Memorial Scholarship.

Last week, seven Russellville High School graduating seniors received the Bob Grissom Masonic Memorial Scholarship.

Those students, Bryson Cooper, Addyson Farris, Addison Hatton, Darlene Campos, Lily Cate Pace, Raney Stone and Ellie Willis, received their scholarships from Lodge 371 member Milford ‘Mousey’ Brown at the annual RHS Awards Ceremony, likely unaware they were part of a milestone as the number of Bob Grissom Masonic Memorial Scholarship recipients surpassed 100 and reached 104, representing $104,000 invested in local students, all in the memory of a man who likely would never have wanted anything given in his name.

“Awarding 104 scholarships since 2008 surpassed our expectations for sure,” Grissom said. “And if you knew my dad, he would never have wanted anything named after him or even in his honor.

“But I think he would look back now and be proud of the people who made this happen in his memory and knowing 104 Russellville High School seniors benefited from it. He’s looking down tonight thankful for that his brothers at the Russellville Lodge 371 made this happen,” Grissom added.

For David, Lodge 371 is a special place for several reasons. Also a Past Master, Grissom said it was a ‘special time’ when he became a member along with his dad.

And David’s grandfather Evis Keeton was a 50-year member of Lodge 371.

It was an emotional moment in 2023 when David, for the first and only time, presented the scholarship to his daughter Kate.

Grissom remembers the first scholarship recipient, Jesse Franks, in 2008. And he’s kept a log of all recipients from that day on.

“Kate was two years old when dad died. There were lots of scholarship recipients in the beginning years who knew my dad, so it was really neat they had a relationship with the person in whose memory the scholarship was given,” Grissom said.

One of this year’s scholarship winners, Bryson Cooper, is the son of Grissom’s good friend and fellow Lodge member Matt Cooper.

Students apply for the Bob Grissom scholarship through the high school. The criteria include academics, extracurriculars and favors applicants with a family member in a Masonic Lodge.

If you’ve ever purchased a boston butt or smoked ham from Lodge 371, you’re a part of the Bob Grissom Masonic Memorial Scholarship—104 students strong and growing…