Page 103 - PGM Compendium

Warden. He was subsequently advanced until June 23, 1977, when he was installed Grand Master.

He continued with active service to his Lodge as a six-year Trustee for the Masonic Building Corporation
and as chairman of the Public School Awards Program. He also served as chairman of the Mayor's
Commission to evaluate citizen attitude toward the Public Schools in Renton District No. 403.

He enjoyed his membership in several Masonic organizations, including Issaquah Chapter No. 39, Royal
Arch Masons; Seattle Council No. 6, Royal and Select Masters; Rainier Commandery No. 20, Knights
Templar – serving as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery in 2004-2005; Chinook Council No.
rd
77, Allied Masonic Degrees; Seattle Scottish Rite, having been coroneted a 33 Degree Inspector General
Honorary in 1991; the Nile Shrine, of which he served as Potentate in 1999; and the Royal Order of
Scotland. He was elected an honorary member of the National Sojourners and the "Heroes of'76”. He
represented the Grand Lodges of Argentina and West Virginia, as well as served as the Grand
Representative of the Grand Lodge of Colorado near the Grand Lodge of Washington. He was an affiliated
member of the Research Lodge of Colorado. He served for a time as Associate Guardian of Bethel No.
45, International Order of Job's Daughters, and immediately upon retiring as Grand Master, was again
installed Associate Guardian. His wife, Virginia, is a Past Guardian of the same Bethel.

Our Most Worshipful Brother exhibited an incredibly positive outlook on life. One time while playing
golf on the big Island of Hawaii it rained like you can’t believe. Later he would tell folks that “we got
a little wet”, but it really didn’t interrupt the game. It just gave him a momentary pause to think about how
to attack the next hole. He loved all living things – all of God’s creatures. Jim & Virginia Wood raised
tumbler pigeons, Tennessee Walking Horses, and three high achieving daughters that matched the
successes of their mother and dad.

Jim served as Fraternal Correspondent for over thirty years. He diligently read hundreds of Grand Lodge
Proceedings to find out what was happening in the world of Freemasonry. Then he reported to us on the
best practices so we might improve from their experiences. Occasionally he had to report some bad news
as well, as those are also learning experiences. But all that reading was not a burden for him. It was in fact
a welcome opportunity to explore the wider world of the Craft he loved.

In addition to his service as Fraternal Correspondent, Most Worshipful Brother Jim was appointed by
Most Worshipful Brother Bill Miller (his Grand Marshal during his year as Grand Master) as Chairman
of the Committee tasked to examine the issue of Prince Hall Masonry in our jurisdiction. The work of this
committee was key in providing the brethren with factual information which led to the eventual
recognition of Prince Hall Masonry in Washington.

Most Worshipful Brother James Orton Wood died on December 27, 2012 at the age of 88. He was a gifted
natural leader, a take charge guy whose very presence in the room seemed to draw others to him. The
Grand Lodge of Washington is privileged to have benefited from that presence along with all of his gifts
and skills for over his fifty years of service to the Craft.

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