Lt. Col. John S. Mason, U.S. Army, Ret.

John Scanlan Mason, beloved husband, father and friend, passed away on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 of natural causes at the age of 91. John is survived by his wife Dorothy Mason, their six children and spouses: John Jr., Michael and wife Becky, Karen and husband Phil Lena, Craig and wife Kim, David and wife Sheryl, Thomas and wife Lisa, and ten grandchildren: Justin Mason, Paul Lena, Brittany Mason, Kristen and husband Tyler Buchanan, Megan Mason, Cynthia Sanchez, Tiffany Mason, Samantha Mason, Kelsey Lena, Lance Mason and one great-grandson, Christian Mason. John was preceded in death by his parents, William Henderson Mason Jr. and Mary Scanlan Mason. He was also the last survivor of his four siblings: Mary Mason Pendrey, Erin Mason Calder, William (Bill) Mason III and Richard (Dick) Mason.

Growing up in Brownsville, John graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy. He later went to Texas A&M (ROTC) and at the end of his second year in college, April 1942 he entered the US Army Infantry as 1st Lt. He retired from the Retired Reserves in 1981 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He went on to co-own the Mason Automatic Vending Company in Houston with his brother Bill, then in 1964 John and Bill moved to Austin, TX where they co-owned the Royal Crown Bottling Company for many years. They sold the company in 1982. Few people have worked harder or cared more about their employees than John. Even on the eve of selling his company, he made sure the new owners had a place for each of his employees.

John was a devout Catholic who cared deeply about his faith, his family, his friends and held an unmatched love for his wife of 59 years, Dorothy. She was the most important thing in his life. As his health failed him he remained positive and thankful every day. He never stopped caring about those around him and was always appreciative of everyone. He was thankful for all his family, especially his wife Dorothy and eldest son John Jr., who have made it their vocation to love and support him in every way.

John loved classical music and the outdoors. Every Sunday morning, right after church, classical music could always be heard throughout the house. John loved hunting and fishing but his greatest outdoor enjoyment was playing golf with his buddies. John played golf well into his 80’s and only stopped playing when his vision failed. He retired from golf without ever letting any of his kids beat him in a round of golf. Quite an accomplishment!

John was a strong individual with a kind heart, the consummate gentlemen. He will be deeply missed.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock until seven o’clock in the evening, on Friday, the 23rd of November 2012, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. A Rosary will be recited at seven o’clock that evening.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at two o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 24th of November 2012, at St. Louis Catholic Church, 7601 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas with Rev. Larry Covington as celebrant. Entombment will follow in the Assumption Cemetery Mausoleum with US Army Military Honors.