Most Worshipful Raymond 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 Lodgeled 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.
Brother Peel enjoyed all of his Masonic affiliations which included the Scottish Rite Bodies; Order of Eastern Star, ofwhich he was a Past Patron of Narcissus Chapter No. 175; Order of Amaranth; and the National Sojourners. He was a life member of Order of DeMolay and held the Legion of Honor in that Order. He was Past Associate Guardian of Bethel No. 30, Order of Job's Daughters of Puyallup. Most Worshipful Brother Peel held honorary life memberships in numerous symbolic Lodges in this Grand Jurisdiction as well as honorary life memberships as Past Grand Master in several Grand Lodges.
On January 21, 1978, Most Worshipful Brother Raymond L. Peel received the final summons and laid down the working tools ofthis earthly life to take his place in that Celestial Lodge on High.