Page 132 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Albert N. Bradford: 1963-1964

Most Worshipful Brother Albert Naron Bradford was born in Texas
on February 13, 1913, During the years of boyhood he became a
resident of Walla Walla, and would call that city his home.
Early in World War II, he left his law practice, temporarily, to serve
his Country, enlisting in the Navy as an Apprentice Seaman, he was
honorably discharged with the rank of Lieutenant after three years of
service.

He was elected prosecuting attorney of Walla Walla County twice
and in 1951 Governor Arthur B. Langlie appointed him as a Superior
Court Judge. He was successively re-elected and became one of the
senior and most respected members of the Judiciary in this State.

He was elected to receive the Degrees of Masonry on February 16,
1942 in Blue Mountain Lodge No 13, where he received the first two
degrees. He was raised by courtesy in St. John's Lodge No. 9 on February 27, 1943, while awaiting
assignment overseas. He served as Worshipful Master of Blue Mountain Lodge in 1957.

He began his career in Grand Lodge in 1956 when appointed Grand Orator by Most Worshipful Herbert
A. Davis. At the Annual Communication held in Vancouver in 1957, his eloquent Address on
Americanism marked him for future recognition. He served as a member of the Committee on
Jurisprudence, and was elected Junior Grand Warden at the Annual Communication in Yakima in 1960.
During the progression of his advancement he fulfilled the expectations of his brethren and acquired the
experience and eminence that qualified him for the exacting duties of Grand Master.

His year as Grand Master was marked by two key initiatives: First, his inauguration of "Operation Wake-
Up" stirred the lethargic, revived the moribund, and restored to active membership many who had fallen
by the wayside by reason of not having completed their degree work.
Second, our Grand Jurisdiction faced the crisis of the Good Friday earthquake that devastated Western
Alaska. Soon after his Installation, Grand Master Bradford made an eventful tour of the northern State.
He was overwhelmed by the warmth of his greeting and the sincerity of Alaskan hospitality.
Consequently the seismic disaster became a personal responsibility as he realized so many of his recent
hosts were sorely afflicted. His first official act was to approve an immediate appropriation of $10,000
from the Grand Lodge Relief Fund, His next step was to broadcast an appeal for funds, including a
personal letter to every Master Mason in the Jurisdiction.
The response was spontaneous and generous. Masons throughout the United States, Canada and on foreign
soil, answered the call with traditional sympathy. Within ninety days more than $137,000 had been

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