Norburn Hyatt

Norburn Creighton Hyatt, former Grand Master of Masons of North Carolina and 33° Scottish Rite Mason, died on July 17, 2017 at his home in Candler, NC. He was born at the family farm, now called Lanesland, on October 10, 1928, to Lane and Wilma Hyatt. Norburn is survived by his wife of 68 years, Martha Frances Foster Hyatt; his daughters, Norma Kulseth and Karen Allman; son-in- law, Dr. James Allman; six grandchildren, Will Kulseth and wife Helen, Joshua Kulseth, Machelle Allman and husband Kenan, Jay Allman and wife Daniela, Nicole Parrish and husband Chris, and Jon Allman. He is also survived by nine great-grandchildren, Conan, Grace, James, Claire, Liam, Wyatt, Annie, Craig and Laney. A former salesman who traveled the eastern seaboard and all parts in-between as a representative of The Cherokees and for Wheeler Manufacturing, Norburn Hyatt lived his life in Buncombe County, and as a Blue Lodge Mason for over 57 years. He first began his Masonic career in the summer of 1960 when he inquired about the Masonic fraternity to his brother-in-law. Shortly thereafter he was elected to receive the degrees and was initiated at Mount Herman Lodge #118 in Asheville on his birthday at the age of 32 in 1960. Norburn's leadership qualities were quickly recognized and he was soon appointed to the officer line and was subsequently elected as Master of Mount Herman Lodge in 1969. Shortly after joining the Masonic Fraternity, he was elected to receive the Scottish Rite Degrees in 1961 and was decorated with the rank of Knight Commander Court of Honour in October 1969. Continuing his steadfast enthusiasm in the Scottish Rite, he was coronated an Inspector General Honorary of the 33rd° in October of 1973. He was also appointed to the North Carolina Grand Lodge line, and June of 1985 he was elected as Grand Master of Masons of North Carolina. He was appointed as the Personal Representative to the Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Orient of North Carolina for the Valley of Asheville in 1985, a position in which he served for 17 years. In addition to these Masonic organizations, Norburn served on many Grand Lodge committees, as a member of the Asheville York Rite, the Oasis Shrine, and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, where he served as Worthy Patron of Esther Chapter No. 12. During his Masonic career, Norburn had many honors bestowed on him. He was elected as an honorary member of Vance Lodge #293, Dunn's Rock Lodge #267, St. Patrick's Lodge #617, Nichols-West Asheville Lodge #650 and Black Mountain Lodge #663. He was also a Charter member of Veritas Lodge #769 in Asheville. In 1993 Grand Master Ray Norris presented Norburn with the highest Masonic award a Grand Master can bestow on a Mason, the Joseph F. Montfort Medal. Past recipients of this award include General H. Lloyd Wilkerson, U.S.M.C.; Governor James G. Martin, former Governor of North Carolina; and Most Worshipful Brother Harry S. Truman, Past Grand Master of Masons in Missouri, and the 33rd President of the United States. In September of 2005, Norburn was awarded the exalted Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor James B. Hunt Jr. for extraordinary service to the state, through his years of service to organizations in his community. He was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings, Flora Morgan, Raymond, Orville, and John Calvin Hyatt. After he retired at age 70 to enjoy the farm he loved, he liked nothing more than sitting on the farm house porch with his brother John Calvin remembering stories from their past. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Clara West, Rosa Lee Bumgarner, and Winnie Foster; and a number of nephews and nieces, including Sonja, who has been a faithful and fun caregiver for several years. He loved them all. Funeral services, including Masonic Rites, will be held on Friday at 2:00 p.m. in the Patton Ave. chapel of Groce Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery. His family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Donations can be made to Meals on Wheels at Hominy Baptist Church, 135 Candler School Rd., Candler, NC 28715, or to CarePartners, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.