Lawrence Mason, Sr. Obituary (1922 - 2004)

LAWRENCE "RED" MASON, SR. "Together Again" BRIGHAM CITY - Lawrence "Red" Kent Mason, Sr., our beloved Father, grandfather and great-grandfather and husband, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Tuesday, November 16, 2004. He was surrounded by the love of his family and friends. Lawrence was born on July 27, 1922 in Gateway, Oregon a son of James Benjamin Mason and Esther Emily Colburn Mason. Dad grew up in Madras, Oregon and graduated from Madras Union High School on May 15, 1941. Shortly after graduating Dad enlisted with the United States Army. He fought during WWII with the Med Det 335 INF REG 84th Rail Splitter Div. He was taken prisoner of War December 24, 1944 to a camp located near Hanover, Germany. Dad had marched over a thousand miles through Europe wearing a pair of wooden shoes strapped with sheets on his feet as a German soldier took his boots. Dad was put into forced labor, concentration camps in the coldest winter in Germany's history. The great day of freedom came on May 2, 1945 and five days later Dad, found himself in the City of Brussels where with his war worn comrades celebrated V.E. Day. Dad said that when he was a prisoner he prayed to God everyday that his life would be spared, so he could someday marry and have a family of his own. He married his sweetheart Loualla "Babe" Marie Patchen on July 22, 1951 in Portland, Oregon. She passed away on January 23, 2004. Dad worked at Intermountain Tribal School as a night attendant and Dorm Father for the students. Dad was also employed at Thiokol as a Security Guard for ten years. He and Babe ran the Old Flying J Station in Willard, where they met many friends. He enjoyed fishing with his grandchildren, gardening, woodworking, visiting with neighbors and being a horseman. Lawrence is survived by his loving son; Ronald R. (Esther) Mason, Sr., Bear River, WY; his three special granddaughters, Amanda (Craig) Campbell, So. Ogden, UT; Jessica Amber (Christopher Grenda) Mason, Brigham City, UT; Martie Marie Herrera, Brigham City; 15 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, who all knew him as "Uncle by God." Also surviving are his sisters, Marguerite (Lewis) Jones, Culver, IN; Doris May Mason, Portland, OR; sister-in-law, Madeline Patchen, Bend, OR. He was preceded in death by parents, wife, and two brothers, James Bryon Mason, Morris Shelly Mason, and granddaughter, Ella TaTa Mason. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 19, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. at Myers Mortuary Chapel, 205 S. 100 E., Brigham City, Utah. Vigil services will be Thursday at 6:00 p.m. with a viewing from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. and on Friday, from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. at the Mortuary. Interment will be in the Brigham City Cemetery. The family would like to thank Rachael and Gibb of Vista Care Hospice, Glen and Ilene Mattson and Jean Staley, Brigham City and daughter-in-laws, Esther Mason and Carol Mason Trujillo Perea, Cubero, New Mexico for their loving support and care during the last few months of his life. VisitationMyers Mortuary - Brigham City 205 South 100 East Brigham City, UT 84302 November 18, 2004 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM CemeteryBrigham City Cemetery 325 South 300 East Brigham City, Utah 84302 November 18, 2004 ServiceMyers Mortuary - Brigham City 205 South 100 East Brigham City, UT 84302 November 19, 2004 10:00 AM