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 Most Worshipful Brother Toby Johnsen for 1979-1980. He also filled the post as Grand Lecturer pro-tem the same year, when Very Worshipful Brother John Hendricks was stricken. Most Worshipful Brother Wayne Sparger appointed Matt his Grand Marshal for the 1980-1981 Masonic Year.
It was during this latter period a pall was cast over Matt's life with the untimely death of his wife, Betty. They shared 30 years of marriage.
Members of the Grand Lodge elected him Junior Grand Warden in 1981. He progressed to Senior Grand Warden, Deputy Grand Master and, in 1984, was elected Grand Master by his Brethren. His path to the Oriental Chair also provided him with the opportunity to again find happiness with his marriage to Jeannette Monette.
During his tenure as Grand Master, the Grand Lodge team in the course of their travels talked of Masonry as a Brotherhood, a Brotherhood not of Words but of our Acts and Deeds through the concept of being a “VIP” – Being Visible, Being Involved, and Participating with the officers and members of the Constituent Lodges. As Most Worshipful Brother Matt stated in his address to the Craft: “The most important things we must do as Master Masons, as Lodge Officers, as leaders of our Craft, is to communicate, be enthusiastic, be ready to be more active, improve our participation and become more involved. We must constantly preserve and instill greater pride in our Masonic Fraternity by doing our Lodge work correctly and proficiently.”
Along with his membership in Port Orchard Lodge No. 98, our Past Grand Master is a Charter Member of Silverdale Lodge No. 311, serving as its Master in 1990. His other Masonic affiliations include membership in the Bremerton Valley of Scottish Rite of which he is a 33rd Degree Inspector General Honorary; Royal Arch Chapter No. 27, Council No. 11; and Commandery No. 18, York Rite, all of Bremerton. He is a member of the National Sojourners, Bremerton Chapter, and Port Orchard Chapter No. 44, Order of Eastern Star. Additionally, our Distinguished Brother has been honored with Honorary Memberships in many Lodges of this Grand Jurisdiction as well as Foreign Jurisdictions of the United States.
His hobbies include gardening and landscaping around the home, golf and fishing. Masonry, an avocation during his working career, has played a dominant role in his retired years. Long considered a perfectionist by this peers, he has continued his efforts of improving the state of the Craft in this Grand Jurisdiction and assisting his Brethren wheresoever dispersed.
Most Worshipful Brother Matt Martin's footprints have been indelibly impressed upon the sands of time in this Grand Jurisdiction. His quest for excellence among his Brethren and his constant urging of all to be "V.I.P.'s"—Visible, Involved Participants in National, Civic, Community and Masonic affairs will be long remembered.