R. Mark Worthington – District 8 

Mark was born October, 1959 in Yakima, Washington, and raised in Walla Walla, enjoying skiing, motorcycles and cars. He worked as a warehouse laborer for the local drug store chain that employed his father and as a farm equipment operator after obtaining his driver’s license. Following high school, Mark attended Washington State University sporadically until receiving his B.S. Degree in Chemistry in 2003, meanwhile working as a laboratory technician of environmental chemical analysis for 22 years. Switching careers, he attended the Inland Northwest Culinary Academy at Spokane Community College and earned an AAS degree in commercial baking in 2007. He worked as chef, baker, or cook for various establishments in and around the Palouse and Lewiston Valley until retiring mid-2025.

He and his wife, Gayle, have four children (two each from prior marriages) and two grand children. They live in Lewiston where Gayle works as an instructor for the Idaho State Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. They met volunteering for the Boy Scouts and Gayle has been involved with Job’s Daughters, Daughters of the Nile and Order of the Eastern Star for most of her life.

Mark was raised a Master Mason in 2015 at Nez Perce Lodge No.10 in Lewiston where he is a Past Master elected in years 2022 to 2024. He was selected 2021 Mason of the Year for the lodge’s district (eleventh in 2021).

Mark is appointed Almoner of Lewiston Valley Scottish Rite, ritual director for the 32nd degree and a 32o Knight Commander of the Court of Honor.

He has success recruiting membership for the Lewiston York Rite Bodies and served as High Priest and Thrice Illustrious Master. He is currently appointed to the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons, both of Idaho, as Grand Principal Sojourner and Grand Captain of the Guard, respectively. He currently serves as Sovereign of St. Patrick Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine and is a member of Tri-Valley College No. 178, Sovereign College of North America.

Mark plans to serve as Calam Shrine’s Chief Rabban in 2026 and plays musette in the band.

He currently serves as Worthy Patron of Laurel Chapter No. 13, Order of the Eastern Star, has been a Grand Representative in Idaho and appointed a member of the Grand Chapter of Idaho financial review committee for 2026 to 2028.