Page 18 - PGM Compendium

pleasure for those in attendance to see him relive a great memory from his past while passing along a
tradition to the new members initiated in his honor.

While in DeMolay, Jim met Laura Lee. Laura was a Chapter Sweetheart of Puyallup DeMolay and a Past
Honored Queen of Bethel No. 30 in Puyallup. Not being one to rush things, he waited six months before
asking her on a date. Jim and Laura were married on April 19, 1986. Being married to Laura is the greatest
joy in his life.

Jim & Laura faced their greatest challenge when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. A survivor
for more than ten years and counting, her strength inspired him to become a passionate advocate for breast
cancer awareness and the eradication of this and other cancers. Jim is a member of the Speakers Bureau and
Grant Review Committee for Puget Sound Komen for the Cure. He and Laura have been consistent Top
100 Fund Raisers for the Annual Race for the Cure; and in 2011, Puget Sound Komen recognized Jim as
its Outstanding New Volunteer. His charitable activities also include support of the Puget Sound Honor
Flight Network and The 5th Avenue Musical Theater.

An avid fan of baseball, Jim was a volunteer umpire for Little League Baseball in the South King/North
Pierce County area. In his time as a volunteer umpire, Jim trained and developed countless umpires and
played an important role in ensuring kids in the South King/North Pierce County area had a positive on
field experience. Jim’s service to Little League earned him the opportunity to umpire at the 1994 Western
Regional Little League Tournament in San Bernardino CA (ask him what it is like to work games in front
of crowds numbering 10,000+ people) and in the 2001 Junior League World Series in Taylor MI.

Professionally, Jim is employed by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) and
is a member of the Education & Outreach Team. Jim experience as a registered investment advisor comes
in handy as he travels Washington state conducting individual and group education sessions on the state
pension and deferred compensation programs. Years of travel naturally led Jim to meet many of his
Washington Masonic brethren. Well before his travels as Grand Master of Masons in Washington, Jim
shared his passion for the Craft and inspired his brethren to engage with their corner of the world for the
better. Without realizing it, the early seeds of his message as Grand Master had been planted and would
later come to fruition as “Be the Difference.”

Jim also has a passion for musical theater. Jim & Laura have been long time regular attendees of Seattle
th
theater and donors to the 5 Avenue Theater. However, it wasn’t until 2007 when he was encouraged by
a close friend and professional singer to take the microphone and pursue his passion from a first-hand
perspective. Jim’s unique style of entertainment coupled with his natural, at- home feel on stage soon
made him a favorite choice for local lodges to formal Grand Lodge functions, from small social venues to
larger fundraising events that wanted to add a musical highlight to their event. Not only has Jim serenaded
all over the state but it became clear that music has since become a common thread running through the
fabric of Jim’s life. (VWB Zane McCune has had the privilege to labor in the Masonic quarries and
perform musical entertainment with M⸫W⸫ B Jim since 2007 when he joined the Craft.)

Jim joined Freemasonry in 1997 as a Charter Initiate of the newly formed Frank S Land Lodge No. 313.

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