Page 89 - 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 1978-79 and selected chairman of the committee by

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