J. Ned Culler Award | Tuckahoe Lodge No. 347, A.F. & A.M.

Nov 23, 2025

Posted by Ben

2025 J. Ned Culler Award

Searching for light in Masonry is personal quest to become more knowledgeable about the Craft, our world, and our inner self. The J. Ned Culler Award is given to a brother who has attained a high degree of excellence in our ritual, Masonic Education, service to his Lodge, and has dedicated his Masonic life to the betterment of the Lodge, and furthering of the lofty goals of our Ancient Craft.

In every generation there appear among us giants among men who shape and alter the world around us in a highly positive way. We at Tuckahoe Lodge believe R.W. J. Ned Culler was one of those men. He helped and nurtured Masons who firmly believe in the value of Masonic Education and the effect that Masonic Education has on leadership. Brother Ned’s life was centered on the precepts so eloquently put forth in our Masonic ritual.

Ned was generous in many ways…with his time, his resources, and something we all miss the most, his spirit. Despite all of this, Ned was indeed a very humble person. His very presence was such a strong part of this Lodge. He was a mentor, and without question, he was a true friend. Whether you knew Ned casually or very well, you knew that he was a good, decent man, someone who exemplified what it meant to be a Mason, and like all of us who call ourselves Masons, he was a good man trying to become a better man.

Because of all that Ned meant to us, individually and as a band of brothers, the officers and members of the Lodge have created this award of recognition to honor Ned’s legacy. On this occasion this high honor is presented to a very deserving Mason who through his hard work for Craft Masonry, his friendship and brotherly love, best represents all that Ned Culler stood for. In following Ned’s example, the award is presented not only to a brother who seeks light in Masonry but to one who shines the light along the path for those who follow, helping them to be better Masons and helping our Craft to be stronger.

We are honored and proud to present the J. Ned Culler Award to a member of Tuckahoe Lodge who serves as an example and lesson to each of us. Our recipient of the 2025 award is:

Wor. Benjamin Kyle Smith

Brother Ben is a 19-year member of the Craft and received all of his degrees in Tuckahoe. He has served as a mentor and coach to numerous brethren, taught the catechisms of the degrees, and is an active 32° Scottish Rite Mason.

Wor. Ben’s year in the East (2024) was a fine and productive one. One with more outreach to the school and community, one of adding new members, and a year of re-building. His plan was well received by the members and they supported him from day one. Good plan…serving dinner to the members individually, adding a personal touch. Ben represented Tuckahoe well in Lodges around the district, and at Grand Lodge functions. He led Tuckahoe as committee chair in the recent negotiations for the sale of the Tuckahoe property to the Scottish Rite Valley. He is always ready to extend a helping hand to others within his community, and Masonic family. Brother Ben exemplifies the life we should all attempt to emulate, and we are sure Ned would be pleased to see this name added to the list of recipients of this honor.

Dec 17, 2022

Posted by Ben

2022 J. Ned Culler Award

Right Worshipful James Ned Culler, a dedicated 40-year member of Tuckahoe Lodge, passed away in May of 2010 after a brief illness. Ned Culler lived his life with the utmost humility and distinction. He brought to light the essence of Freemasonry. He was generous in many ways…with his time, his resources, and something we all probably miss the most, his spirit. Despite all of this, Ned was indeed a very humble person. His very presence was such a strong part of this Lodge for many years. He was a mentor, and without question, he was a true friend. Whether you knew Ned casually or very well, you knew that he was a good, and decent man, trying to become a better man. Because of all that Ned meant to us, individually and as a band of brothers, the officers and members of Tuckahoe Lodge created this award of recognition to honor Ned’s legacy.

This year we bestow this high honor on a very deserving Mason who through his hard work for Craft and Scottish Rite Masonry, his friendship and brotherly love, has best exemplified all that Ned Culler stood for. In following Ned’s example, the award is presented not only to a brother who sought Light in Masonry, but to one who focuses his light along the path for those who follow. We are honored and proud to present this year’s Ned Culler Award to a member of Tuckahoe Lodge who has served as a fine example of ‘a just and upright Mason’ to each of us.

Wor. James Parker Gregory, III strives to embody those attributes in his family and work life, as well as his community and Masonic activities. Bro. Jim received all of his degrees in Tuckahoe Lodge, and was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in May of 2013. He rose through the officer’s line and served as Master in 2020, and again in 2021, and is an LMIP member of the Lodge. Bro. Gregory has been a mentor to numerous brethren in his Masonic career, and serves the Lodge and district as our Masonic Home Ambassador since 2014. He has made countless presentations to extol the virtues of the Crown Jewel of Masonry in Virginia, and continues to solicit contributions for the Masonic Home. Over the years he has escorted many brethren to the home and conducted tours of the facility. Jim also shares his talent for music as a member of the ‘Tuckahoe Trumpeters’, and performs annually at our Flag Retirement Ceremony.

Because of Covid-19 and its variants, Jim’s time as Master was a very stressful time for Masonry in general. Jim served Tuckahoe Lodge as Worshipful Master for two years during adverse circumstances due to the pandemic. For the first time in our nearly 100-year history, Tuckahoe did not hold any Stated or Called communications, or ritual classes during the height of the pandemic. Prior to Covid-19, Jim had high objectives for his year as Worshipful Master, such as his goal to attain the Hillman Award. During the pandemic, he organized regular ‘Zoom’ meetings to keep our brethren in touch with each other and as up-to-date as possible regarding our Lodge.

Jim has served and continues to serve admirably as our Lodge Masonic Home Ambassador. Jim has a number of traits exhibited by Right Worshipful Ned Culler – a friendly caring out-going smile and handshake. Jim took the time during the pandemic to contact members and visited Masons during hospital stays.

He is a an active 32º member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Richmond, is a faithful member of the Scottish Rite 4th Degree Team, and takes part in other degree work as well. He was also chosen as the Valley’s Scottish Rite Ambassador to Tuckahoe Lodge.

Jim holds a Master’s Degree in Nursing and a CCRN Certification. He is employed by Bon Secours Health System as a CCU nursing Director. He daily exhibits a caring manner to those whom he serves in a hospital environment, as well as his Masonic activities. His work and Masonic life is one we are proud of, and are indeed honored to add the name of Wor. James Parker Gregory, III, to the list those who have received the coveted J. Ned Culler Award for Masonic Excellence.

Dec 26, 2019

Posted by Ben

2019 J. Ned Culler Award

We are honored and proud to present the J. Ned Culler Award to a member of Tuckahoe Lodge who has served as a fine example of ‘a just and upright Mason’ to each of us. He is our beloved Brother and friend, Wor. Barry C. Faison. Read the store here.

Dec 9, 2018

Posted by Ben

2018 J. Ned Culler Award

We are honored and proud to present the J. Ned Culler Award to a member of Tuckahoe Lodge who has served as a fine example of ‘a just and upright Mason’ to each of us. He is our beloved Brother and friend, Wor. Herbert Hobson Eades, Jr. Read the story here.