Jerald (Jerry) Elliott Mason Obituary (1926 - 2004)

JERALD (JERRY) MASON BRIGHAM CITY - Jerald Elliott Mason, age 77, passed away unexpectedly on May 9, 2004. He was born on November 29, 1926, in Circleville, Ohio, to Joseph and Florence Mason. He graduated from Circleville High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force. Upon honorable discharge from the military at the end of World War II, he attended Ohio State University and earned a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. After graduation he moved to Southern California, where he worked as an oil wildcatter and an aviation engineer. There he met Miriam Peterson, who was working at the time as a stewardess for Western Airlines. He and Miriam married on April 30, 1955, in her hometown of Fairview, Utah. The family moved to Brigham City, Utah, in 1960, and Jerry began work at Thiokol Corporation. For the next 26 years he worked in engineering and management positions at Thiokol, including Director of Operations, General Manager and Senior Vice President of Thiokol's Wasatch Plant. He was an avid hunter, angler, and outdoorsman. He hunted and fished extensively throughout North America, and gathered a significant collection of big and small game animals that is being donated to Utah State University for permanent display. He measured countless trophies of fellow hunters for the big game record books. He loved exploring the outdoors and enjoyed sharing his passion by organizing trips and expeditions with family, friends, and local scouting groups. Over the past two decades he has maintained a section of the High Line trail system in the Uintah Mountains, bringing many different friends and family members into the wilderness as part of annual maintenance excursions. Since retirement Jerry has served as a volunteer for a number of local and state groups, including positions on the board of the Utah Wildlife Federation, the Division of Wildlife's Big Game Board, and local economic development committees. In addition he committed himself broadly to conservation efforts involving wetland preservation and protection of wildlife habitat. Jerry was a devoted husband and a proud father and grandfather. He was admired for his honesty, integrity, and leadership, and will be fondly remembered by his friends and family. Survivors include his loving wife, Miriam; a sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Don Crist of Circleville, Ohio; three daughters and their husbands: Elizabeth and Barry Bergquist of Salt Lake City, Catherine and Steve Sims of Centerville, Cynthia and Gregg Galecki of West Jordan; one son, John of San Francisco, California; and eleven grandchildren (Mary, John, and Jacob Bergquist; Pace, Andrew, Elizabeth, and Adam Sims; and Adeline, Mason, Miriam, and Julia Clista Galecki). Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2004 at the Brigham City 14th Ward Chapel, 650 Anderson Dr., Brigham City. Friends and family may call Wednesday, May 12, 2004 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 205 S. 100 E., Brigham City, UT and on Thursday from 10:00 to 10:40 a.m. at the Church. Interment will be held at the Fairview City Cemetery at approximately 4:30 p.m. The family suggests that contributions may be made in Jerry's memory to the Nature Conservancy, 559 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84102. VisitationMyers Mortuary - Brigham City 205 South 100 East Brigham City, UT 84302 May 12, 2004 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ServiceBrigham City 14th Ward Chapel 650 Anderson Dr. , May 13, 2004 11:00 AM CemeteryFairview City Cemetery Fairview, UT May 13, 2004