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Fred E. Mason
Greenville Herald Banner
Saturday, Oct 21, 2006
CRAIG, Colo. — Fred E. Mason was born July 22, 1920, in Greenville to Fred Edmond and Eddie Lee (Todd) Mason. Fred was raised and attended school in Greenville, graduating high school in 1938. Fred then attended college and played football as an offensive lineman at Vanderbilt University, East Texas State and Tulsa University as he followed a favorite football coach. While at Tulsa University he played in the Sun Bowl in 1941. Fred joined the U.S. Navy in August of 1942 and served until November of 1945. While in the Navy Fred served as a physical training instructor, a position which brought him to Glenwood Springs. Following his discharge Fred moved to northwest Colorado and worked on the rigs on Wilson Creek. While there he was contacted by Ray Johnson, who at the time owned Moffat County Lumber Co. and who asked him to come to work for him. Fred gave notice to his employer and started a career in the lumber company business which lasted for the next 40 years. He purchased the business in 1972 and was actively engaged in it until 1998. Fred married Margaret Waddle in Denton on Dec. 27, 1951. They made their home in Craig and raised their son Roy. Margaret died in 1986. Fred married Neva Manley Mason in Greenville on Nov. 6, 1994; and they, too, resided in Craig. Fred was a member of the Craig Kiwanis Club and helped with the Special Olympics, the American Legion, was a 59-year member of Yampa Valley Lodge 88 AF&AM, The Northwest Colorado Shrine Club, the Order of Eastern Star where he served as a Rainbow Dad, and he served on the Craig Rural Fire Department Board for 16 years. In earlier years Fred was very active with the local Boy Scouts organization Fred died Oct. 8, 2006, at The Sandrock Ridge Care and Rehabilitation Center following a lengthy illness. He is survived by his wife, Neva Mason of Craig, Colo.; a son, Roy (Randi) Mason of Craig, Colo.; grandchildren Kayce (Jeremy) Eardley of Mountain View, Wyo., and Todd Mason of Casper, Wyo.; great-grandson Carson Eardley of Mountain View, Wyo.; and a stepson, Tim (Mary) Mason of Redlands, Calif. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jack and Bob and his first wife, Margaret. Funeral services were Oct. 11, 2006, at The First Congregational Church in Craig with Pastor Bob Woods officiating. Interment followed in the Craig Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to The Northwest Colorado Shrine Club in care of Grant Mortuary, 621 Yampa Ave., Craig, Colo. 81625. Grant Mortuary of Craig, Colo., was in charge of arrangements. Submitted by Elaine Nall Bay
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