Page 122 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of

M⸫W⸫ Wayne J. Deming
1970-1971

Most Worshipful Brother Wayne Joseph Deming was born in
Atwater, California, to Wayne Winfield Deming and Sarah
Knowles Deming on July 9, 1918. The family moved to Fresno and
it was there that our brother attended and graduated from the public
schools. On May 18, 1940, he and the lovely Anna Belle Perry
were united in marriage at Carson City, Nevada. He was employed
by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company and during World War II
he enlisted in the Navy and served with the Seabees in the South
Pacific until the end of the war.

In 1941, a son, Charles Wayne, was born to Wayne and Anna Belle. At the end of the war the
family was reunited and, in 1946, moved to Bellingham, where an opportunity to go into business
presented itself, and for several years the business of electrical contracting occupied his time.

The Masonic journey of our brother began in 1950 when he petitioned Bellingham Bay Lodge No.
44. He would be Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on February 9, 1951. He was
busy, then, learning the ritualistic work and preparing himself for advancement in the Lodge. As
he worked in the Lodge, his son, Charles, was initiated into Chuckanut Chapter, Order of DeMolay.
The family became much engrossed in that. Mrs. Deming served as Worthy Matron of Maple Leaf
Chapter No. 58, Order of Eastern Star, and Charles became Master Councilor of Chuckanut
DeMolay, and received many of the Honors of the Order. Our Most Worshipful Sir became an
officer in Bellingham Bay Lodge and soon advanced to the office of Junior Deacon when difficult
times came. He suffered an eye injury in his work which he personally felt would prevent him
from finishing up his work in the Lodge. After much counseling and encouragement he decided to
carry on and, as a result, became one of the most outstanding Worshipful Masters the Lodge has
ever had. His talent of leadership was soon recognized by others, and he was appointed Deputy of
the Grand Master in District No. 10 in 1963, then reappointed in 1964. As he became better known,
his light shone on many more and, as a result, he was appointed Junior Grand Deacon in 1966. In
1967, at the Annual Communication held in Yakima, he was elected by his Brethren to serve as
Junior Grand Warden. At succeeding Annual Communications he was advanced and was elected
Grand Master at the Annual Communication held in Tacoma in June of 1970.

All the while our distinguished Brother was advancing in the Fraternity, he also had moments of
extreme sadness. Sadness that only made him more determined that the great lessons must be
carried on. His beloved son, Charles Wayne, was now married and he and his wife, Elaine, were