The North Carolina Mason

J immy Gard finds a certain peace when he's at his lathe. The whirl of the bits and the turn of the wood creates an aura of focus. As the chips fly off his ideas come to life – a realization of thought. James Milford Gard – Jimmy to most of us – was born to Floyd and Mary Gard in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, just after New Year's on January 4, 1939. The son of a mariner, fisherman, and shipwright, Jimmy learned early on the value of using his hands. Hard work and attention to detail were the cradle of creation. It was a natural fit for him to enter the United States Coast Guard in 1962, though his occupational assignment was far from the age-old carpentry required for shipbuilding. He wound up an as an aviation electronics technician for a decade, connecting the wires and synapses between computer brains and navigational displays. His new skills were further honed upon his return to civilian life, retiring as the Avionic Workshop Leader at the Aviation Logistics Center in his hometown after 40 years of service. In between woodworking and electronics repair, Jimmy met the love of his life, Anne, and married in 1964. Jimmy comes from Masonic stock, his father Floyd being a 49-year member of Eureka Lodge 317. Jimmy followed his father's lead and, after moving slightly south, was raised a Master Mason in Perquimans Lodge 106 in 1973. This year is Jimmy's 50th as a North Carolina Mason. Never one to let a good opportunity pass, he joined the Ancient and A Mighty Oak: Jimmy Gard Honored E PURP OF OUR FTERNITY Brothers Johnny Surles and Phil Johnson present Brother Gard his 50-Year Certificate By Phil Johnson, Grand Marshal 20 | T H E M A S O N M AGA Z I N E

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