Mason Warren

On Wednesday, July 27, 2022, 27 year old James “Mason” Warren passed away unexpectedly. Mason was at one of his favorite places in the world, KLLM Transport Services, where he had worked for the past seven years as a diesel mechanic getting to do one of his favorite things, tinkering with their huge mechanical beasts. The fact that KLLM paid him well to do so was an added bonus. The fact that he absolutely loved his job and the people there, especially his supervisor “Redwood,” was an even greater one.

Mason’s life was cut incredibly short, but Mason managed to fill it to the fullest. His approach to life never faltered. From the time he was a child at First Presbyterian Day School, to the Jaguars at Madison Central and beyond, he embraced life fully, squeezing out every ounce of excitement and joy that he could find. And through his years, he brought all of his friends and loved ones along for the ride. He was the life of the party, made everyone happy, and never failed to make one laugh. He loved with his whole heart. No matter what you were talking about, he never missed an opportunity to say he loved you at the end of the conversation. He was the one you called when you needed something fixed or when you just needed a friend. It’s no wonder that his many, many friends never wanted to leave his side.

Mason loved his life. He did not mind how simple or crazy it was in the moment. Just to show a glimpse into his life, this was a recent message he sent a dear friend while catching up, “They got a new call of duty coming out in a couple months, can’t wait to get back to getting dubs, I’m just doing the same old thing riding the RZR”. He cherished the small moments and celebrated the big ones.

Mason’s spirit was not intended to be confined to small, enclosed spaces. He, like his father, was an avid outdoorsman. He most enjoyed his times with his father at the deer camp. He got his first deer at the age of six, and if allowed would play on the bulldozers all day and night if he could get away with it.

Mason “loved his ‘momma’ harder than words could describe.” She was truly his champion. Momma was the first person Mason called to share good news or to help him solve a problem. He also had a special bond with his little sister, Mary Martin. In her words, “he adored her.” She may have some credence as they did spend an extraordinary amount of time together. They were oftentimes found watching movies (like Transformers, which Mason had the uncanny ability to find on TV at any given time of the day or night), discussing new action movie plots, eating dinners together on Mason’s days off, or taste testing the new cookie flavors of the week. Mason also had the pleasure of having five dogs to love. Diesel, Willis, Ella, Lola, and Peanut were his fur babies.

In 2018, Hannah Wood came into Mason’s life. Hannah became the love of his life almost immediately. Their perfect night was a dinner at Two Rivers, going for a ride on the side by side, and watching a favorite movie. They lived in their new home in Madison of which Mason was so proud. After asking Hannah’s father’s permission, he asked Hannah to be his forever on February 8, 2022. The two planned to be wed on April 29, 2023. Mason was ready to join a second family who also loved him dearly.

It was often repeated that throughout Mason’s life “Mr. Fix it” would intentionally break things just so he could put them back together. Mason, you have your work cut out for you this time. How can you fix so so many broken hearts? It seems impossible, but if anyone can do it, we know you can even though you are now in heaven. We will cherish our memories forever, and those memories will give us the strength we need to wait in this world until we meet again. You were always responsible for the smiles beaming across the faces of everyone you met. You never met a stranger. Mason’s dear friend stated, “He passed doing something that he loved, he won his last race!”

Mason is survived by his loving parents, Jim and Gina (Fortenberry) Warren; his younger sister, Mary Martin Warren of Madison; The love of his life, his fiance’, Hannah Margaret Wood, the daughter of John and Kim Wood of Madison; His maternal grandparents Gene and Wanda Fortenberry; Paternal grandparents, Mary Frances Warren and James Warren; his Aunts Kelley (Kevin) Sanders and Terrie (Joe) Lynn; along with so many dear friends. He is preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Mittie Towne Warren and his beloved dog, Oakley.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Visitation at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison, MS on Saturday, July 30th at 1:00 pm and the Memorial Service thereafter at 2:30 pm. Mason will be laid to rest at Parkway Memorial Cemetery in Ridgeland, MS.

Pallbearers include: Chase Allen; Harrison Browning; Kevin Coon; Jesse Davis; Garrett Dukes; Kazery “Redwood” Franklin; Jay Grice; Beau Johnson; Dillian Langley; Mac McElrath; Lee Sanders; Mac Sellers; Hunter Trehern; Braydon Walker; Douglas Warren; John Wright; Jared Yates; and honorary pallbearer Cole Ulmer

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending donations in Mason’s name to Capstone Treatment Center in Judsonia, Arkansas. Capstone helped shape Mason into the man he was, and he, along with his family, will forever be grateful for the wonderful people there.

Capstone Treatment Center

P.O. Box 8241

Searcy, AR 72145