J.C. Mason EMDE

EMDE, J.C. Mason, "Red," died November 4, 2009 at age 90. Red courageously battled cancer for over two years, never allowing the disease to slow him down. Red's life experiences were vast. At 13, he played trombone in the National Guard Band. His expenses at Freed Hardeman College were covered by directing the college band and years later returned as a math teacher. Red's accomplishments with the trombone led him to attend Pepperdine University, where he became close friends with George Pepperdine, and continued playing band with the University of South California. Moving to North Carolina, he played with the N.C. State Symphony while teaching music in Winston- Salem, Mt. Airy, and Elkin, as well as organizing several high school bands. Red had his own dance band with Moe Purtill. Red left music behind and began his career at Boeing where he was an Industrial Engineer and Project Manager. After his marriage to Doe, he became a real estate broker and formed their company Redoe Realty. Red also, an ordained minister, performed many marriages and christenings of family members and friends. Red is survived by his wife, Doe; and children, Rusty and Sandy Emde, Terry Beaber, Trudie and Tom Pitkin, Kris Taylor and John Bucher, Tracie Taylor and Mark Justis; seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Angie Locke. Red will be remembered for his humor, his patience, his wisdom, his eternal optimism, and the love he felt for his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution be made to the charity of your choice, to the Wounded Warrior Fund woundedwarriorproject.org or to the Music Teachers National Association http://www.mtnafoundation.org/
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.