Jimmy Dean Mason

© Cheyenne Star

27 Nov 1997

Submitted by: Wanda Purcell

On March 26, 1930, a baby boy was born to Mary Ann Mason in Roger Mills County, Oklahoma six miles north of Strong City. He was named Jimmy Dean Mason.

Jimmy Mason was an only child and was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Ann Helms, and step-father Henry Roland Helms.

He attended school through the 8th grade.

Jim performed farm labor and took on any odd job he could get for many years.

Upon his mother's death he moved to Concordia, Kansas in December of 1974. He resided in Rice, Kansas on the outskirts of Concordia.

He helped Ed and Bill Mason in their shop operations until ill health forced him to move to Bererly Rehab Center. He died on November 14, 1997 at Cloud County Health Center.

Jim was a caring person. He wrote memos of special things to him, birthdays of relatives, and deaths of his dogs and family. He would tell the nurses at the nursing home if they would forget to give him medicine or the kitchen if he was forgotten for a piece of cake. Every birthday he would look forward to cake or a treat from Keith Waters.

Jim enjoyed his days at the shop in Rice, visiting with neighbors and customers.

One winter he backed up to the stove to get warm and caught his coveralls on fire. Another time helping cousin Bill, Jim sat on a trencer and caught his pants on fire.

On the Fourth of July he looked forward to shooting fire crackers with cousins Lane, Will and Wes. One 4th of July, a fire cracker accidentally dropped in his can full of fire crackers which he held while they went off.

Jim enjoyed taking his dogs to the Republican River to go fishing. He would always tell of the one that got away or bring home a stringer of fish even if it would be carp, which he would give to a neighbor, Ray Doyen. Other times he would get his picture taken with the catfish that he would catch and share with cousin Ed.

One fishing adventure he encountered a badger that bit him on the leg, ending in the sheriff coming to see him.

Jim will be remembered by all who came in contact with him. He was a thoughtful man who enjoyed the simpler things of life. He loved coloring pictures or putting together puzzles.

He will be missed and dearly loved by all.

Graveside services were Sunday afternoon, November 16, at the Rice Cemetery, Rice, Kansas with Ron Friberg present.

Memorial contributions may be given to Beverly Health and Rehab. Nutter Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.