Roscoe "Ross" Rizley Passes Away

Today in Masonic History Roscoe "Ross" Rizley passes away in 1969.

Roscoe "Ross" Rizley was an American politician.

Rizley was born on July 5th, 1892 near Beaver, Oklahoma. He was education in local rural schools and upon graduation taught in those same schools. In 1911 and 1912 he served as a deputy register of deeds for Beaver County, Oklahoma. In 1915 he received his law degree from the University of Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri. The same year he was admitted to the bar and opened a private practice in Beaver.

In 1918, Rizley was elected as county attorney of Beaver County, serving until 1920. He resigned when he moved to Guymon in Texas County, Oklahoma. In Guymon he resumed his private practice.

In 1924, Rizley became a member of the Guymon Board of Education, serving until 1932. During the same time, in 1928, he became the City Attorney of Guymon serving until 1938. In 1931 he was elected an Oklahoma State Senator. He served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1932 and 1936. In 1938 he ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Oklahoma.

In 1940, Rizley was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He served four consecutive terms until 1949. In 1948 he again served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention. Also in 1948 he ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate.

At the 1952 Republican National Convention, Rizley was elected chairman of the credentials committee. Later the same year he became solicitor for the Post Office Department, predecessor to the United States Postal Service, serving for just over one year. He served as the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture from December 1953 to December 1954. Just a few months later he became a member of the Civil Aeronautics Board serving again for one year. In 1956 he became a judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. He served in the role until his passing on March 4th, 1969.

Rizley was raised in Beaver Lodge No. 7 in Beaver, Oklahoma. After moving to Guymon he affiliated with Guymon Lodge No. 335 in Guymon. He was also a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Southern Masonic Jurisdiction, in Guthrie, Oklahoma, India Shrine Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in Oklahoma City and the Order of the Easter Star in Guymon. He was a member of the Royal Order of Jesters, an invitation only organization for Shriners.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.