Page 74 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ George T. Leslie

1992-1993

Most Worshipful Brother George Thomas Leslie was born in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on June 30, 1930. Our Brother lived in
a number of villages and towns during his early and pre-teen
years. When his father changed jobs to work at Westinghouse
Airbrake Corporation, the family moved into a home in Turtle
Creek, Pennsylvania, which was to become the family home for
many years. Brother Leslie graduated from the local high school
in 1948. Very shortly afterward, he moved to Los Angeles,
California.
At the advent of the Korean Conflict, he enlisted in the United
States Coast Guard, and after training in electronics he was sent to the Pacific Northwest.
Following a period of sea duty, he transferred to the Coast Guard Air Station at Port Angeles. It
was in Port Angeles that he met Brother Ray P. Dwier and petitioned Port Angeles Lodge, No. 69,
where he was subsequently Initiated, Passed, Raised and became a member of that Lodge. Brother
Leslie had been a DeMolay in Pennsylvania, so petitioning a Masonic Lodge was always in his
mind.
After discharge from the service Brother Leslie decided to go back to school. He returned to
California - again to the Los Angeles area. One semester at a local community college was enough!
Brother Leslie returned to the Pacific Northwest he had come to love, enrolled at the University of
Washington during which time he met and married Judy DeRousie. The union produced a
daughter, Kelly, born in 1957, and, in due course, gave George & Judy two grandchildren, Zachary
Thomas and Malika Annette.

He completed his undergraduate education and went to Port Angeles to teach for the next eleven
years. Brother Leslie spent summers during his college years as National Park Ranger in Olympic
National Park. Several of his supervisors were Masons and were an inspiration to him. He
continued this work both as a summer ranger and as a special assignment ranger until 1961 when
his graduate studies required all his energies.

Having completed graduate and post graduate studies. Brother Leslie moved to Tacoma where he
remained since 1969 as a faculty member and administrator at Fort Steilacoom Community
College, later renamed. Pierce College. He would retire in 1991.

In 1971 Brother Leslie affiliated with Steilacoom Lodge No. 2, and served as Worshipful Master
in 1976. He also obtained plural membership in Mt. Tahoma Lodge No. 190, where he served as
Worshipful Master in 1984, at the same time serving as Grand Orator for Most Worshipful Brother
Jefferson J. Ensworth. He was also a member of Walter F., Meier Lodge No. 281.