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Brother Mike was born in Deming, New Mexico on 12 November 1947 and graduated from Deming High School in May of 1966. Mike joined the United States Marine Corps after graduation and stayed for over 20 years, almost half of his time in service was in the Far East. After retiring he went to work for the Israel Aircraft Services in Yuma,Arizona. They were an adversary squadron, flying the F21 Kefir using Russian tactics. Joyce and Mike left Yuma and moved to Cloudcroft, NM and he went to work for Dyncorp at Holloman AFB. Mike now works at the Otero County Fair Grounds in Alamogordo,NM.
While stationed in Iwakuni, Japan Mike became a Master Mason and after transferring Joined the Lodge in Yuma, Arizona. In 1994 he was installed as Master of the Lodge. During his term as Master he joined the Yuma Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. After moving to the Alamogordo area Joyce and Mike joined Tularosa Basin Chapter #72 and dueled with Ruidoso Chapter #65. Mike was Worshipful Master of Tularosa Lodge #49 in 2004, and was installed the same day (Saturday) at the same time(2:00 P.M.) 10 years after he was installed in Yuma. Mike has also been Worthy Patron in Tularosa Basin twice, first with Sister JoAnn Tally and then with his wife, Joyce the next year. Mike is also an endowed member of the Yuma Lodge as well as the Tularosa Lodge. Mike is also a member of Timberon Daylight Lodge. Mike has served the Grand Lodge of New Mexico as a District Deputy Grand Lecture and District Deputy Grand Master of the 11th Masonic District. Mike was also honored by being named Mason of the Year for the 11th Masonic District. Mike has served this Grand Jurisdiction on the OES campout committee and with the Registering and Examination of members of this Grand Jurisdiction.
Now that he has been elected has Worthy Grand Patron, Mike is looking forward to traveling with his wife, Joyce to all the Official Visits and other Grand Chapters in the area. It has been and will continue to be fun traveling around New Mexico, meeting with old friends and making new ones.
Last but not least, it is a pleasure for Mike knowing that his mother, Catherine Beckett, has been in Eastern Star longer that he has been alive, 65 years and still counting.
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