Judge Kirsten Cohoon’s contributions to Boerne and Kendall County caught the eye of Kendall Masonic Lodge No. 897, which Monday bestowed its Community Builders Award on the presiding judge of the 451st State District Court.
Cohoon, recently appointed as presiding judge of the 6th Administrative Judicial Region of Texas, served as Boerne’s first city attorney before taking the bench in the 451st. Travis Grahmann, Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge, paid tribute to her for service to her community in opening Monday’s ceremony at the Masonic Lodge.
The Grand Lodge of Texas created the Community Builder Award, he said, to allow local lodges to recognize non-Masons who have distinguished themselves through community service and “have worked to improve and give back to their communities.” Awarding a Community Builder Award is not something the Masons take lightly. Kendall County Sheriff Al Auxier received the award in 2024, the lodge’s first since 2017.
“I don’t think of what I do as community service, it’s loving the community you’re in,” Cohoon said of the recognition, “and it’s just rewarding to see it be the best it can be.”
She thanked a number of people “who’ve had my back and have allowed me to be where I am today,” including her husband Patrick, also a lawyer.
Her community involvement includes activity in the 9/11 Wills For Heroes program, Boerne Lemonade Day, sitting on the Boerne Education Foundation and volunteering at Currey Creek Baptist Church.
Due to the rising population in Boerne and Kendall County, the caseload in the 451st increased dramatically.
“Judge Cohoon played a crucial role in the creation of a second state district court,” Grahmann said. “While she has worked tirelessly to manage a docket that doubles that of neighboring courts, the establishment of a second tribunal will help balance the judiciary, and better serve the community.”
Cohoon said she “happened to find her niche” in the judiciary and the courts “and I really enjoy it. There’s a niche for everybody. Find something your passionate about and become great at it.”
Kendall Lodge No. 897 was founded in 1905, four years before Boerne was formally incorporated in 1909. It traces its roots back to December 1859, when at least two men believed to be masons, George W. Kendell and J.F. Stendebach, signed the petition to create what was to become Kendall County.
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