Page 135 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Raymond L. Peel

1964-1965

Most Worshipful Raymond L. Peel was born in Seattle on April
11, 1903. He was the second of four children born to William
and Edith Peel, who were early pioneers of Grays Harbor
County, having moved there when it required four days to reach
Aberdeen by stage from Olympia. His father was a member of
Eureka Lodge, No. 20.

Our brother attended Frantz H. Coe Grammar School in Seattle,
and after his family moved to Arlington he attended the Lincoln
and Garfield grade schools. When he returned to Seattle he
received additional schooling in the Daniel Bagley Grade School
and the Ballard High School.

By profession he was a marine engineer with an unlimited license as chief engineer. This is not
surprising since his father and four uncles were licensed marine engineers. During the Second
World War, he served in the north and south Pacific areas with the rank of Commander, United
States Maritime Service. He was employed by the State of Washington in 1935 and, except for his
war service, he continued to work for the State. He retired from state service from the position of
Plant Manager at the Rainier State School in Buckley.

Our Past Grand Master began his Masonic journey in University Lodge No. 141, being initiated
on December 10, 1926; passed on January 17, 1927; and raised on September 30, 1927. He
affiliated with Valley Lodge No. 71 in Orting in 1939, serving that Lodge as Worshipful Master
in 1941 and again in 1948.

He began Grand Lodge service with an appointment as Deputy of the Grand Master for District
No. 15 by the Grand Master Lemuel W. Sims in 1952, and the following year Grand Master Fred
Winkels reappointed him. He was chairman of the Committee on Obituaries for Grand Master
Lester E. Hitt. His next recognition was as Senior Grand Deacon by Grand Master Ronald W.
Meier. He would be appointed as Grand Lecturer by Grand Master Frank Fulton.

This impressive background of work in the Grand Lodge led to his election as Junior Grand
Warden in 1961 at the Grand Lodge Communication in Spokane. He would regularly advance
through the line and elected Grand Master in 1964.

As part of his journey as a Grand Lodge elected officer, Most Worshipful Brother Peel had the
pleasure of presenting a 50 Year Pin and Certificate to the Brother who accepted his Petition for
Membership in University Lodge No. 141. Undoubtedly the highlight of his tenure was the
privilege extended to him by St. Andrew's Lodge No. 35 of conferring the Three Degrees of