James S. Mason

A memorial service for James S. Mason, 86, will be held at First Presbyterian Church at 2:00PM on Sunday, July 24, 2005. The Rev. Keith Hill will officiate. Mr. Mason died at his home in Thomasville, GA at 9:15PM on July 21, 2005. Born at Susina Plantation, Grady County, August 8, 1918, James S. Jimmy Mason was the son of James S. Mason and Rosalie Wilson Mason. He grew up on Susina Plantation, graduated from Darlington School in Rome, GA. where he was president of the honor council. He was a graduate of the University of Georgia where he played on the golf team. He was a veteran of WWII. He met his wife to be, Olga Gertrude Rodgers, at a USO dance while stationed at Drew Field in Tampa, Florida. They were married September 10, 1942 in Clearwater, Florida. He was stationed for a time in San Antonio, Texas and later Italy. After the war, he tried his hand at raising cattle, including a herd of registered brahmas. He sought land in central Florida for year round green pasture for his herd and found it. This experience coupled with his life on Susina was fodder for two later books, Oh, Susina! And Castles in Wet Sand, both written in the fall of his life. He built a road construction business that included an asphalt plant in Thomasville. Later he purchased E. J. Williamson?s, an industrial supply store on Remington Ave. in Thomasville, later changed the name to Thomasville Bearings and Supplies, eventually got fascinated with antique furniture and opened a successful James S. Mason Antiques in the same building. While in the antique business, he became an accomplished furniture builder, whose works include a set of beds for the late Florida Governor, Lawton Chiles. He was an avid hunter and an excellent wing shot. He enjoyed the game of golf. In the early 50?s he moved his family from Susina into Thomasville, built a home on Pinetree Blvd. and later restored and renovated a home on Gordon Ave. Years later they settled in their current residence on Junius Street. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served as a deacon and later an elder. He is survived by his wife, Gertrude Rodgers Mason, four children, James Michael Mason, and wife Reba, of Sopchoppy, Fl., Eleanor Anne Dawson, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, Richard Rodgers Mason, and wife Carolyn, of Grady County, David Lafayette Mason, of Thomasville, a brother, Alfred Heywood Mason, of Lloyd, Fl., four grandchildren, James Christian Mason, Laura Amanda Mason, Brenus Wilson Benjamin Dawson, Dietrich Mason Camden Dawson, and two great grandchildren, Talin Alysse Mason and Reilly James Mason. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Richard Robert ?Dick-Bob? Mason and daughter-in-law, Mary Kay Mason. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dick Bob Mason Memorial Education Fund. Please make checks payable to Community Foundation of South Georgia, P.O. Box 2654, Thomasville, GA 31799. Please note this fund on your check. All contributions are fully tax deductible and benefit the children of Jerger Elementary School. Visitors may sign the online guest register at www.allenfh.com .
ALLEN & ALLEN FUNERAL HOME