Robert Guy Mason

Lt/Col Robert Guy Mason, USAF/FANG retired, died on December 30th, 2018. Born to George Robert Mason, Jr. and Florida Hunt Mason, February 25th, 1923 in Jacksonville, Florida in the old Springfield St. Vincent’s Hospital. He attended St. Paul’s Catholic School, John Gorrie Middle School and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, class of 1941. He then attended the Univ. of Florida and Cumberland Univ. in Tennessee.

He was called to active duty in February 1943 and served overseas as a Fighter Pilot with the 8th Air Force in England and in the Army of Occupation in Germany. On returning home, he joined the Florida Air National Guard and was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. He served in Japan and Korea as a fighter pilot during which time he helped in pioneering in-flight refueling in combat. Following the Korean War, he worked full time for the Florida Air National Guard as a Flight Instructor and Squadron Commander. He was a graduate of the USAF Instructor Pilot Instrument School, The Fighter Weapons School, the Interceptor Weapons School, and the USAF War College. He retired from the FANG in 1983 after 40 years of military service. Lt/Col Mason was a Quiet Birdman, a member and past President of the Jacksonville Chapter of the Florida Aviation Historical Society.

Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Annette Nelson Mason, daughters Cynthia Flo, Sally Ann, and sons Michael Robert and James Guy. Granddaughter Sarah Annette Mandeville, preceded in death by granddaughter Kathryn Lee Mandeville, and sister Alice Jean Brownsberger.

He was a long time member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church of Jacksonville, Florida.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 11:00am at the Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel.

Interment will be in Oaklawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka Kansas 66675; www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Please Sign the guestbook at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com

HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd is serving the family