Page 92 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Matt Martin

1984-1985

Most Worshipful Brother Matt Martin was born in Hamilton,
Ohio, on January 15, 1930. He was the second of five children
born to Willard M. and Christina Martin. A sister, Mary, and
three brothers, Elmer, Wayne and Shelby, completed the Martin
family.

Our Brother was educated in the Hamilton public school system,
and graduated from Seven Mile High School. He was employed
as a Bell Telephone Co. installer during 1947 and 1948; joined
his father in the construction business in 1949, and later the same
year enlisted in the United States Navy.

He was stationed at Bremerton, where he met Betty Jennings, who became Mrs. Matt Martin on
December 16, 1950. The couple was blessed with one daughter, Beverly Jean.

Following his release from the Navy in 1952, he applied for and was accepted as an apprentice
sheet metal worker and shipfitter at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Promotions included transfer
to the shipfitters planning department, structural design, production engineering departments, and
terminated his responsible position in the public works maintenance control division with his
retirement in June of 1984. Additionally, he attended evening sessions of Olympic College during
the 1950's and obtained an Associate of Arts degree at graduation.

Our Brother's Masonic career began with his petitioning Port Orchard Lodge No. 98, in July of
1963. He was made an Entered Apprentice Mason, September 27, 1963, passed to the degree of
Fellowcraft, November 22, 1963, and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, January 24,
1964; passed his Proficiency and signed the By-Laws of his Lodge March 6, 1964, later becoming
the Lodge's first Life Member.
In 1967 he served his Lodge as Tyler; was appointed Junior Steward and succeeded to the Senior
Stewardship in 1968; was appointed successively as Junior and Senior Deacon and elected Junior
Warden in 1971. Two years later, 1973, Brother Martin served his Lodge as Worshipful Master.
Elected Secretary in 1976, he served four years in that post. He has filled all offices, with the
exception of Treasurer, and still retains an active interest in Port Orchard Lodge.

A distinguished Grand Lodge career began with his appointment as a Credentials Committee
member by Most Worshipful Brother Alden Jones in 1975-76. The following year Most
Worshipful Brother Fred S. Sandoz appointed him as Deputy of the Grand Master in District No.
12, a position he also filled under Most Worshipful Brother James 0. Wood in 1977-78. He was
appointed to the Research and Education Committee by Most Worshipful Brother Roy Foss in