John W. McKahan was born February 16, 1929 in North Strabane Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, the oldest of ten children to Charles and Mary McKahan. Brother McKahan attended school in Green County, Pennsylvania. He attended Jefferson and Waynesburg High School before leaving for a tour of duty with the United States Army Air Force.
After returning from the service Brother McKahan completed his high school education and attended Lorain County Community College where he holds a technical certificate in I. E. T. and Quality Control. Brother McKahan was employed by General Motors Corporation for many years before leaving to join the Bendix Corporation where he remained until taking early retirement in 1983.
For the last dozen years, he has been involved in real estate, both on a part time basis and more recently on a full time schedule in Lorain County. He has been married to Lela M. McKahan (nee Johnson) for 38 years. They have two children, a daughter and a son, They have two grandchildren.
Brother McKahan was raised a Master Mason in Frank S. Harmon Lodge No. 663 on June 4, 1963 and served as Worshipful Master in 1969-1970. He is also a member of the York Rite bodies in Elyria, Marshall Chapter R. A. M. No. 47 (Past High Priest), Elyria Council No. 86 (Past Illustrious Master), Elyria Commandery No. 60 (Past Commander). He is also a member of Ohio Priory No. 18 Knights of the York Cross of Honour.
He is a life member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Cleveland, and was elected to receive the 33rd Degree in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in September 1990. He is a member of Al Koran A. A. O. N. M. S., also a Past Sovereign Master of Walter Drake Council No. 145, Allied Masonic Degrees. He served on the advisory board of David J. Nye Chapter DeMolay and holds the Honorary Legion of Honor from DeMolay. He is a member of the National Sojourners Chapter No. 23 in Cleveland.
Brother McKahan is a Past District Education Officer and a Past District Deputy Grand Master of the 22nd District.
He was appointed Junior Grand Deacon of The Grand Lodge of Ohio in October 1982 by M. W. Brother Vernon E. Musser and subsequently appointed Senior Grand Deacon in 1983, Grand Marshall in 1984 and Grand Orator in 1985. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1986; Senior Grand Warden in 1987; and Deputy Grand Master in October 1988.
On October 21, 1989 the brethren of The Grand Lodge of Ohio elected him Most Worshipful Grand Master for the 1989-1990 Masonic year.
M. W. Brother McKahan resides Elyria, Ohio.