RICHARD GENE MASON
Richard Gene Mason
Richard Gene Mason died peacefully in San Marcos, Texas on December 2, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. surrounded by loved ones at the age of 82.
Richard is survived by his loving wife Patricia Ann Mason and seven children from two prior marriages, Catherine Hannah Johnston, Teresa Rodrigues, Pennie Couch, Brick Mudge, Debra Denise Ralph, Dainon DiJon Mason Ingram, and Devrie Mason Harwood along with many wonderful grandchildren, great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; sisters Louise Beecham of Cherokee, Kansas, Betty Burton of Colorado Springs, Colorado and brother Jim Mason of Wichita, Kansas. He is preceded in death by Henrietta Ghilino of Harlingen, Texas and Charlotte Ulery of Rotonda West, Florida.
Richard was born on July 21, 1936 in Cherokee, Kansas to Helen Irene Hack and James Clifford Mason. He attended Crawford High School in 1952 in Cherokee, Kansas before joining the United States Cost Guard for four years, in the rating of SR. 23 where he was Honorably Discharged from the United States Navy in October 1953. He then went on to the United Stated Coast Guard and was Honorably Discharged from the Reserve Eight Coast Guard District in New Orleans, Louisiana in July 1961 and then again Honorably Discharged from the Eight Coast Guard District in July 1964.
After serving his country, Richard went to The Institute for the Certification of Engineering Technicians where he received his certification as an Engineer Technician in April 1967. He then started working for the Gulf Refining Company and Engineering in Houston, Texas as a Lead Design Draftsman until 1970. Richard and his then wife, Loretta Anne Mason, and children Debra Denise Mason, Devrie DeLynn Mason and later Dainon DiJon Mason Ingram moved to San Marcos, Texas to design, build and open a skating rink, the Skate Skeller, which hosted their grand opening in December 1972. The entertainment business hosted a variety of events during the 30 years of serving local San Marcos residents. If you loved to skate in the 70’s, country and western dance in the 80’s, or bingo in 90’s the big old hall known as The Skate Skeller, also known as Bigger’n Dallas, or The Coast, would have been the place to go. That hall was the choice place of many company Christmas parties and High School Prom nights.
Richard was a dedicated individual who was passionate about serving his community through Sertoma where he served as President from 1991-1992. He was honored for Outstanding Leadership and Dedicated Service as District Governor in1995-1996; and then State Director of Sertoma International in 1996-1997. Sertoma is the third oldest civic service organization in the world. It derives its name from the slogan “SERvice TO MAnkind” founded in 1912.
He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Wimberley. He loved going on the senior outings whenever he could. Richard loved golf, travel, playing dominoes at the senior center and volunteering in the community.
A memorial service is scheduled for December 20 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, reception to follow. Richard will be laid to rest in Cherokee, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation at https://parkinson.org/or Parkinson’s Foundation 200 SE 1st Street Suite 800, Miami, Florida 33131. Condolences can be sent to 61 War Bonnet, Wimberley, Texas 78676.