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Masonic Grand Lodge of New Mexico |
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A CONTEMPORARY LEGENDARY CHAMPION Inspector General Honorary, Illustrious Brother John Brownlow Irick. |
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Writers of Masonic History generally direct their attention toward our well-known Brethren such as George Washington, Kit Carson, Harry Truman, John Wayne, and the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Many famous men have followed these forefathers who are just as honorable and some are heroes! So mote it be with the Brother who is the topic of this writing. Our Brother was born in Stroud, Oklahoma on October 23, 1923, a harvest baby. Little did his mother know that her blue-eyed and black-haired baby would indeed become a giant of a man at 6' 4". He passed at 64 years of age while having dinner and discussing politics with friends in a Santa Fe restaurant on July 31, 1988. Our Brother was in training (at Kirtland) to fly plywood glider troop transports designed to crash land behind enemy lines. Fortunately our government decided that the gliders were not good weapons and scrapped the program. He became an Army Air Corps World War II Flying Ace of 53 combat missions in the South Pacific. He was the pilot of the Billy Mitchell B-25 bomber. After the war he and his wife Gayle had two sons and a daughter. Our Brother was elected to the New Mexico State Senate and to the position of Minority Whip two years later. A post he held for eight years. He served as a State Senator until 1980. This great Statesman was singularly instrumental in creating the New Mexico Museum of Natural History at Albuquerque and the Governor’s Organized Crime Prevention Commission. He was an influential member of the Senate Finance Committee. One of his accomplishments that he was most proud of was the passage of a law requiring that 1% of the cost of new construction in New Mexico be devoted to the artistic merit of the structure. After an unsuccessful run for governor, he did not let his disappointment slow down his involvement in the State’s Republican Party politics. Friends and opponents said of him: “He was the person I would turn to most often for advice on political issues.” “One of the political leaders of our time ‘and’ a great statesman.” “His favorite question was ‘What can I do to help?’.” “He would have been an excellent governor.” “an effective legislator and one with a lot of heart.” “He was a great guy!” “He was a dedicated guy and a good Senator.” “I found him to be very honorable.” “If he told you it was one way, that’s the way it was. He was kind hearted and a conservative guy. The State is a lot better off because he was here! “He wasn’t a mean guy at all. He could see the other person’s viewpoint, although once he made up his mind he would stick with it.” Our Brother was a member of Temple Lodge #6, the Valley of Santa Fe Scottish Rite, and the Ballut Abyad Shrine. Our Brother was 330 Inspector General Honorary, Illustrious Brother John Brownlow Irick. Sincerely and Fraternally, WB David L. Millis Grand Historian |
