Jimmy R. Mason

He was born Oct. 13, 1940 to Clara Bob Harrison Hayes Winham and Jewy Claude Hayes in Junction City Arkansas.

Jimmy’s love of singing at a very young age led him to a lifetime of singing for Jesus. He would stand beside his Mothers piano and sing everyday- and he said she made him. He took lessons in school and became one of the most sought after tenors in this area beginning in his teenage years and lasted until he was in his mid 40’s. He was minister of music until he was in his late 50’s in several churches in El Dorado, Junction City, Norphlet, and Magnolia. Jimmy sang in some of the great choirs not only here in our area but also in Dallas, TX. He graduated from SAU Magnolia with a BA in Music-teaching music at Barton Jr. High for a short period of time.

He had a love for horses that began as a young boy taking hay string and catching neighbor’s horses and riding them bare back. He became a trainer of horses and trained just about every kind of horse there is. He always gave them back fully trained and ready to ride. He loved to tell stories about his beloved horse Tom Cat- who he had taught to play cowboys and indians.

Jimmy loved plays and performed in area plays off and on until he was in his late 50’s. He always played the lead in all the plays he did- and performed not only here in our area but also in Dallas during the short time he lived there.

Jimmy retired from Great Lakes Chemical as a Supervisor/manager after 32 years and was a member of Cross Life Church.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, stepfathers-Ray Mason and Morris Winham, and his grandmother Carrie Harrison.

He is survived by his wife of 22 years Susan Elizabeth, who was the love of his life, one daughter-Amanda Michelle Peedin (Israel) 3 sons- James Gregory Mason (Kathy) of Frisco, TX, Mark Steven Mason (Mona) and Christopher Hayes Mason both of El Dorado, and 6 grandchildren. One brother Johnny Mason (Bonnie) of Magnolia, AR, brother-in-laws- Taddy Fish (Bonnie) and Tom Fish, sister-in-laws-Lea Brown (Jim) Trisha Hurkes (Nicholas) and Kathy Jo Roberts (Rick), two sisters- Jerry Ormson of Tampa, FL and JoAnn Sulton of Magnolia, AR. Special friends Jeff, Jenifer, Colyn and Nolyn McLelland, Louis, Shirley, and Zzavin Meadows and Alvin Kelly.

Graveside services will be held at Roselawn Cemetery in Junction City at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 6, 2012 with Rev. Tom Whitworth and Rev. Jim Brown officiating and under the direction of Young’s Funeral directors. The family will recieve friends Thursday evening from 5 pm to 7 pm at the funeral home.