Page 5 - MFM Aug Sept 2019

We cannot choose our team, just as we cannot choose
our family. There will be arguments and disagreements, We Morn the Passing of our Brother
but there is also laughter and friendships that result from
serving together. We all live, eat, work, sleep, play, pray, Frank Noble
work out, and train together. We can choose to, and often
do, complain about it but, we also learn to accept it and
make the best of it. With our shipmates our brothers, we We, the Grand Lodge of Montana and Brother’s of
develope friendships, achieve camaraderie, built a team, Frank Noble, want the family to know that we gather
and share memories. Our shipmates are the people who together with them to mourn the passing of a good
will have our back. As sailors we protect and defend our man. Brother Frank contributed much to the Masonic
country. The term shipmate means union or family. It is community and betterment of society ”Therefore let
a phrase that says we are bonded by our service to our it be known, that we know the deep loss and sorrow
country. Perhaps, in the description above you can see the that his wife Mary and her family are experiencing.
similarity of how Brother is also used or should be used We want to share in your sorrow but recognize that
and understood by us as Masons. the Lord has accepted into his presence and good and
faithful servant, and he will be missed.”
In a similar manner, we should “Be excellent to each
other,” this reference is not mine but is suspect many of My Brethren, the roll of the workmen has been
you will remember it from the 1989 or 1990 movie “Bill called, and one Master Mason has not answered to his
& Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” You will recall the “band name. And so it has come to pass, Brother Frank Noble,
“Wyld Stallyns.” And of course, a number of you will not a Master Mason having completed all the design’s laid
have a clue about this movie. Nonetheless, there is at down on the Trestleboard of Life, has answered the
least one important and redeeming thing that came out summons of the Grand Warden of Heaven and Earth
of this movie, and that is the frequent use of the phrase and has entered into the Grand Lodge over which the
“Be Excellent to each other.” I believe that the movies Supreme Grand Master of the Universe presides.
character of Rufus explained that the phrase Be excellent
to each other has profound meaning, that the repetition Although our beloved and respected Brother has
of the words does not diminish them but strengthens passed through the portals of Eternity, his passing
them. So too, the repetition of the word “Brother” should memory will forever remain to inspire all who mourn
not diminish its value but strengthen it. His passing to live life as he did, respected and depart
this life regretted. As one by one, the autumn leaves
fade in the forest deep, So one by one, in each of us
must come the touch of sleep. As one by one, the roses
So my Brothers and Shipmates...Be excellent to each burst into the morning light, So one by one, our soul
other. will wake again beyond the night.

Soft and safe be the earthly bed of our Brother; may
our Heavenly Father protect him and enfold him in his
arms with love. Until then, dear friend and Brother ,
Until then - - - Farewell!

Services held on September 6th at 4:30pm at the East
Haven Baptist church, Kalispell Montana, This will be a
Masonic/Christian service. Service at 4:30pm Masonic
Service following at 5:30pm. Internment will be at
Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell, Montana.

Please send cards, to: Mary Noble, c/o Grand Lodge of
Montana PO Box 1158 Helena, MT 59624-1158. Please
keep Mary in your thoughts.

Montana Freemason Page 5 Aug/Sept 2019 Volume 95 No .6