Brother Clyde's Father Worked in the Lumber Industry and Operated a Farm on the Banks Of

In Deer Park, Washington, on March 4, 1904, was born to Mr. and Mrs. William Mix, our highly esteemed Brother, Clyde Braxton Mix, who, with his brothers, Earl and Roy, trace their Masonic heritage to their Maternal Grandfather, a staunch Master Mason in the Jurisdiction of Missouri.

Brother Clyde's father worked in the lumber industry and operated a farm on the banks of the Spokane River, now covered by the back waters from Long Lake Dam, which forced the family to move back to Deer Park in 1910. Following his first three years of elementary schooling, the family moved to Oakesdale, where he completed grade school; then back to Deer Park, where he finished his high school education, graduating with the Class of 1922.

Following graduation, he was employed two years by the Deer Park Lumber Company working the night shift, to permit daytime attendance of drama schooling in Spokane. In his 20’s, he had many varied experiences, working and traveling in the pursuit of a theatrical career. While working with the Maylong Players, a stock company in Spokane, he seized upon the opportunity to join a vaudeville act on the Hippadrome circuit headed for Chicago. He worked out of Chicago in various musical comedy, stock and repertoire shows, then out of Kansas City, Missouri, throughout the Midwest and Southern States.

His time in the acting profession served him well in Masonry. Upon request, he would give recitations for the Brethren on many different subjects. These were always entertaining. His memory work was superb. He was asked each year, on several occasions, to install officers in various Lodges and he never refused. He was always there when he was needed, ready to assist in whatever he was asked, no matter how far he had to go to get there. This he did with pride.

Brother Clyde accepted a War Service Assignment with the Air Force in 1942, and during the World War II, worked at Fairchild Air Force Base in the electrical department, while residing in Spokane. After the War, following his natural gift for fixing things and having studied radio and appliance repair, he opened a radio repair shop in Hillyard which he sold in 1948 to accept a position as salesman for radio parts and supplies with a wholesale firm, the Standard Sales Co. In 1954 he accepted a position as manager of the radio parts and supplies department of Taylor Distributing Company. Three years later he purchased the inventory of the parts department and formed the company of Alltronic Distributing Co., Inc. He operated this business until 1969, when he decided to sell out and retire from business.

Clyde lived his Masonry from the day he received his Degrees. There is no doubt that he had Masonry in his heart long before he applied to become a Mason. He was raised a Master Mason in Oriental Lodge No. 74, on December 17, 1945, serving that Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1953. He was Deputy of the Grand Master in 1955-1957, and held several Grand Lodge appointments until he was rightfully recognized and elected Junior Grand Warden in 1971. He was elected Grand Master in 1974.

Outside of the Lodge, Clyde loved to relax by bowling with his Brethren. He bowled on the Shrine League Team, which became a close-knit group. They had great times together. When bowling season was over, the team enjoyed great fellowship at the family home on Deer Lake. The Brethren told of Clyde always taking his pickup into the woods to cut firewood. Each time he went he would load his truck and each time he got it stuck, which caused more work. One year the team got their heads together and purchased a toy Toyota 4x4 with remote control and presented it to him so he wouldn't get stuck again. Masonry and the Grand Jurisdiction of Washington, in particular, have lost a dedicated and beloved Brother with the passing of M\W Brother Clyde B. Mix, on April 20, 2001, at the age of 97 years.