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Norman Dyle Dant
When I got to work on Monday June 18th, 2007 I never expected the day to begin the way it did. I got a phone call from Wor. Bob Udoff at 9:00am and I figured he was calling to give me a bad time about actually being at work, looking back I wish that was why he called. He informed that just a short time ago Norm had died. I was stunned, to say the least. I could not believe that it was really true.
I had already done my trestle board article for the month but luckily it had not gone to the printers yet. I decided that I was going to write a different article. When I was elected to serve as Master of the lodge, Norm wrote his trestle board article about me to inform the brethren of the new Master, it was a start of a tradition that I hope will continue. Therefore this article is going to inform the brethren of the man that will be Master next year. Although he will not be in the East he will be there in all our hearts.
Norm Dant was initiated in Downey United Lodge on March 8, 2001. He was passed to the degree of fellowcraft on May 10th, 2001. The raised to the sublime degree of Master on June 28th, 2001. From the moment Norm became a Master Mason he became active in the line of officers. Norm sat as Junior Steward, Senior Steward, Junior Deacon, Senior Deacon, Junior Warden. Norm was installed as my Senior Warden and I could not have asked for a better person to be in that station.
Norm always had the best interest of the lodge in mind, no matter what we as executive officers did it always had to be lodge first then ourselves. I truly have tried to imitate that mind set this year. He always did for the lodge no matter what the case may be, whether it was coming in for ritual practice or coming in at night to fix the lodge plumbing. Norm had so many great ideas for this lodge, one of his best ideas was to send out birthday cards to the members for a free dinner. One of the best ideas anyone has had in a long time. We have seen more brothers coming for dinner because of this. We will continue to send birthday cards.
I don't have enough space in this article to really express my sincere appreciation for Norm and all he has done. I expend my deepest regret and sympathy to Sandy and all of the Dant family. The lodge officers are like a tight niched family and we are hurting right now because we have lost one of our own. I know that next year Norm will be the Worshipful Master, not of Downey United but of that celestial lodge above, where the supreme grand master of the universe forever presides. That lodge has just received a great brother.
Norm, speaking for all the members of Downey United #220, we miss you and may you rest in peace.
Fraternally,
Michael Yolton, WM. |
