Buddy Clark Leach II was born on July 5, 1956, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and is the oldest of four children born to Buddy and Shelby Champion Leach. He was educated in the public schools in Huntingdon, Tennessee, where he graduated valedictorian of his class in1974. After graduating from high school, Brother Leach received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, from which he graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force. Brother Leach graduated from Undergraduate Pilot Training in 1979 and served as an Air Force pilot flying the T-38, C-130,and U-2 aircraft until 1990 when he separated from the Air Force. He also served in the US Air Force Reserves from 1992 until 2003, when he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. In 1990, he was hired as a pilot for FEDEX Corporation, where he flew for over 26 years before retiring in 2016. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Paula Eskew Leach and they have two children, Jennifer Lee and Buddy Leach III. They also have 6 wonderful grandchildren. Brother Leach earned a Masters Degree in Aviation Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Brother Leach was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason on January 10, 1998, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on February 7, 1998, and raised to the Sublime degree of Master Mason on March 14, 1998, all in Huntingdon Lodge #106, where he served as Worshipful Master in 2009 and 2010. He served as Grand Lecturer for District 5 from 2016 until 2022. He received the Past Master’s Degree in 2009and is Past President of the West Tennessee Past Masters Association. He is also a member of the Charles Newton Bush Past Masters Association in East Tennessee.
Companion Leach was exalted in Camden Chapter #159 in 2005 and served as Excellent High Priest in 2011. He received the Order of High Priesthood in 2011. He served the Grand Chapter of Tennessee, Royal Arch Masons in 2013 as Grand Principal Sojourner and has served on the Ritual Committee.
Companion Leach was greeted in Camden Council #132 in 2005 and served as Illustrious Master in 2012. He received the Order of the Silver Trowel in 2012 and is a Past Illustrious King of the Grand Council of Annointed Kings of Tennessee. He also served the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Tennessee as Grand Conductor of the Council in 2012.
Sir Knight Leach was knighted in Paris Commandery #16 in 2005, served as Eminent Commander in 2014 and 2015, and received the Order of the Knight Crusaders of the Cross in 2014. He is a past Knight Crusader of the East of the Knight Crusaders of the Cross of Tennessee. Sir Knight Leach was recognized for receiving the highest grade in the state while serving during his Commandery’s inspection as Generalissimo in 2012 and 2016, as Commander in 2015, and as Junior Warden in 2019. He also served as Grand Standard Bearer for the Grand Commandery of Tennessee in 2015, is a Grand Representative to New Mexico, served as Grand Aide de Camp to the Grand Commander of Tennessee in 2019, and has served on the Dispensations and Bylaws, Education, and Ritual Committees for the Grand Commandery of Tennessee. Sir Knight Leach received the Knight York Cross of Honor in Priory #15 in 2015.
Brother Leach received the Scottish Rite Degrees in the Valley of Memphis in 2000, was invested as Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in 2013, and was coroneted as 33rd Degree, Inspector General Honorary, in 2021. He is a past Venerable Master of the Memphis Lodge of Perfection.
Brother Leach joined Huntingdon Chapter #180, Order of the Eastern Star, in 2005 and has served as Worthy Patron multiple times. He served the Grand Chapter of Tennessee as Grand Marshal in 2013 and as Grand Instructor from 2016 to 2018. He has also served on the Calendar Committee and as Chairman of the Masonic Relations and Masonic Charities Committee. He is Past Secretary of the West Tennessee Past Matrons/Past Patrons Association and the West Tennessee Line Officers and has served as the Treasurer for the West Tennessee Line Officers.
Brother Leach is Past President of the West Tennessee York Rite Association, Past Sovereign Master of Ray S. Garton Council #403, Allied Masonic Degrees, and Past Excellent Chief of Tralee Council #41, Knight Masons.
Other Masonic affiliations include West Tennessee York Rite College #141, Sanhedrin York Rite College, West Tennessee Forest #213, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, St Stephens Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, Holy Manger Tabernacle XLVIII, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, Tennessee Lodge of Research, Scottish Rite Research Society, Edwin Hickman Chapter #550 and David Crockett Chapter#569, National Sojourners, Rosslyn Chapel #33, St Thomas of Acon, Royal Order of Scotland, Robert the Bruce, and Al Chymia Shrine.
Brother Leach was elected Junior Grand Warden on March 25, 2021 and has advance each year, being elected Most Worshipful Grand Master on March 27, 2024.
