Page 130 - 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 Masonry on his son-in-law. Brother
Richard Negley.

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