James E. Mason

James E. Mason, 81, of Sioux City died Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007, at Indian Hills Nursing and Rehab Center.

Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Friday February 23, 2007 at Anderson-Perasso Funeral Home, with the Rev. Fred Penner officiating. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Mr. Mason was born May 9, 1925, in Creede, Colo., the son of Eugene D. Mason and Helen (Cathcart) French. He received his teaching certificate from the University of Colorado in Boulder. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946, stationed in the Pacific Theater.

He married Margie L. Ledford on March 11, 1951, in Wiggins, Colo. He taught school in Orchard, Colo., for two years. He then managed various lumber yards in Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska from 1955 to 1980. He also served as church custodian in New Mexico, retiring in 1990.

He loved the Lord. He was dedicated to his family and enjoyed reading and woodworking in his free time. He was actively involved in his church over the years, teaching children's Sunday School and serving as a church trustee.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 56 years, Margie; two daughters and their husbands, Louanne and Bill Hyatt of Lexington, Neb., and Julie and Mark Nelson of Hershey, Neb.; a son and his wife, Loren and Pam Mason of Sioux City; eight grandchildren, Tyson and his wife, Tara, Trevor and his wife, Crystal, Allison and her husband, Josh, Taylor, Kirk and his wife, Kylee, Zachary and his wife, Brianna and Heidi and Julie; two great-grandchildren, Alexis and Drew; three stepbrothers; and two stepsisters.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Anne Groke.