James E. Chaffin was born in Maple Park, Illinois on April 1, 1942. Jim has lived in Bristol,
Illinois until 1989 when he moved to Marietta, Georgia. After retirement in 2004, Jim moved to
The Villages, Florida.
Jim graduated from West Aurora High School, Aurora, Illinois, in 1960.
After graduating, Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force and served for 4 years from
September 1 st , 1960 to August 31 st , 1964. After Basic Training in Texas and Weapons Systems
Training in Colorado, Jim was stationed at K.I. Sawyer AFB near Marquette, Michigan for the
remainer of his enlistment. Jim helped maintain the Fire Control Systems and the Weapons
Systems on the B-52H Stratofortress Bombers.
Jim was employed by International Business Machines (IBM) for 36 years. He worked as a
Customer Engineer servicing Office Products and then moved into Education Services as a
Course Developer.
Jim was initiated an Entered Apprentice on February 18 th ,1970. Passed to the degree of
Fellowcraft on April 8 th , 1970, and Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on April 29 th ,
1970. Jim received his 50 Year Pin at the Grand Master’s Luncheon on March 19, 2020.
Jim is also a member of Bahia Shrine Temple in Apopka, Florida and served as Secretary of The
Villages Shrine Club for eight (8) years. During his time as Secretary of The Villages Shrine
Club, Jim worked with various Villages Organizations and helped secure Toys, Blankets, and
Dolls for the Kids at Shriners Hospital for Children and is still working with these groups to
support Shriners Children’s Florida. Jim was voted The Villages Shrine Club’s Shriner of the
Year for 2015 and 2020.
Jim married Judy A. DeGrasse on May 6, 1972. We have one Son, Jeffrey, and three Grandsons.
Since joining the Ocala Scottish Rite, Jim has helped to maintain and organize the Degree
Rituals for the Lodge Room Presentations and the Board Room Communicated Degrees. Jim
was Invested with the rank of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor on November 7 th , 2015,
and Coroneted with the Rank of Inspector General Honorary 33⁰ on November 11 th , 2023. On
May 1 st , 2024, Jim was appointed Treasurer of the Valley of Ocala, Orient of Florida by Ill.
Richard G. Hoover, 33⁰, Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Florida.