Vernon Mason's Obituary
Vernon O. Mason, father, grandfather, great grandfather and great-great grandfather; the patriarch of our family, passed away March 10th at the venerable age of 99 years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Genevieve, by 2 years and his daughter Nancy by 4.
He is survived by his brother Curtis (95) and daughter Barbara, sons Barry (wife-Patricia), Ray (Annette) and Scott (Joan); grandchildren Julia, Tyson, Joseph , Noah, David, Michelle, Philip, Russell, Daniel, Nathan, Jake, Brandon, Kailie, Luke, Jordan, 23 great-grandchildren and 19 great-great grandkids.
He was born in Stecker, no more than a milk stop on the railroad line running through the new state of Oklahoma. His father, just home from World War I, originally was a farmer; but this was during the “dust bowl” and after difficult times he gravitated toward construction. Further lean times, due to the Great Depression, forced a move to Texas where steady employment finally provided stability to the family.
When a senior in High School, Vernon entered a three state Civil Service competition and got third place which won him an apprenticeship in Aircraft Engine Overhauling at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station. This placed him on a reliable path he would follow the rest of his life.
When World War II broke out, as soon as he was old enough, he volunteered to serve. His aptitude test pointed him toward flying and off he went to flight school. After graduating he was sent to England, in 1944, and ended up in the 467th Bomb Group, 2nd Division of the 8th Air Force. He was a member of the “pickle barrel” group of the Rakeath Aggies stationed in Norwich, England. He flew B-24 Liberators and survived 24 missions dropping bombs on Nazi Germany.
After Germany surrendered, he was in transit to school, stateside, to get a crash course in flying light bombers, when Japan surrendered.
Soon after he was part of the post-war occupation force in Japan. It was just before this that he married his first wife, Dorothy “Corky” Bettis, March 30, 1946.
His career took a slight directional change when the Air Force had too many pilots and wanted him decommissioned. He wanted to stay in, though, so he headed up Aircraft maintenance divisions the rest of his military career, retiring in ’63. This was about the same time that his first wife died of cancer.
His transition to civilian life was a smooth one as his mechanical skills were in great demand in the private sector.
He was a bachelor for the next 10 years, or so, when he met Genevieve. They were married (Mar 1st, 1974) for 49 years, residing in the same house, until her death 2 years ago.
When the two of them retired around 1987, Vern embraced the Computer Age, learning not only how to build them but also how to program them. The two of them spent the next 25 years in close collaboration with St. Frances Parish taking care of all their computer needs and tithing records.
During his life he was an avid hunter and fisherman; he was a lifelong member of Ducks Unlimited as well as the NRA. He was also a Heritage Foundation Member post war.
He was as hard a working individual that I have ever known but could play just as hard. And we was as kind a man that ever lived.
And in the end, he got his wish, and that was to pass at home.
We will all miss you, Dad!
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