Dr. Lee F. Mason

Dr. Lee Franklin Mason, devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully Friday, November 29th at the age of 91. A native of Wisner, Louisiana and resident of Baton Rouge, he was a Resident Director Emeritus and Professor Emeritus at the LSU Agricultural Center. He gave 36 years of service to Louisiana agriculture, 2 on the teaching faculty at Northeast Louisiana State College and 32 on the research faculty and administration at Louisiana State University. He earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees at LSU and his Ph.D. at the University of Missouri, Columbia. Dr. Mason served as a Military Police Officer and 1st Sergeant in the U.S. Army during WWII and proudly marched in the funeral procession of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Along with his late wife, Frances DeLoach Mason, he established the Lee and Frances Mason Agronomy Scholarship and the Lee F. Mason Alumni Professorship in the College of Agriculture at LSU. Not only did he lead efforts for the establishment of additional scholarships and professorships at varying institutes of higher learning, he occupied leadership roles in numerous churches, professional and alumni organizations and civic groups. Of Baptist faith, he held membership at varying churches where he and his family resided over the years. He is survived by his three children, Richard Mason and wife Jan, Judy Mason Reynolds and husband Gary, and Peggy Mason Grace and husband Michael; his eight grandchildren, Jennifer Mason Jennen, Lynn Mason, Douglas Mason and wife Melissa, Ashley Mason, Tallie Reynolds Seighman and husband Jeff, Casey Reynolds Hysell and husband Eddie, Amanda Grace, Cody Grace and wife Emily; and many great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Frances DeLoach Mason; parents John and Bertie Mason; three brothers and two sisters. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation at Greenoaks Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 4th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and funeral service led by Dr. George Haile on Thursday, December 5th at 12:00 p.m. Pallbearers will be Cody Grace, Michael Grace, Buddy Mason, Douglas Mason, Harold Mason, and Gary Reynolds. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Hospice of Baton Rouge for the incredible care they provided to Dr. Mason in his final days. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home 904 DeVille Lane, Ruston, LA 71270 or the The Hospice of Baton Rouge, 9063 Siegen Lane, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70810.