MASON MCLAIN

Oct 2, 1926 - Jan 15, 2015 OKLAHOMA CITY Mason McLain, beloved husband, dad and grandad, passed away peacefully at his home January 15, 2015. He was born in Spearman, Texas, October 2, 1926, to Maynard and Vivian McLain. He graduated from Classen High School in 1944 and played trumpet in "The Sooners" dance band. He enlisted in the Navy at the age of 18 in November of 1944. He graduated radar school and became a petty officer third class assigned to a PT Boat Tender in World War II until honorable discharge in 1946. Mason attended The University of Oklahoma on the GI Bill, took ROTC and was commissioned as a second lieutenant Field Artillery Reserve officer. In December of 1949, he married Joye Hopkins, which he would call his "greatest accomplishment." He graduated with a B.S. in petroleum engineering from The University of Oklahoma in 1951. He joined McCullough Tool Company as a Radioactive Logging Engineer and then became an Independent oil and gas lease broker. He joined the Reserve Petroleum Company as a Staff Engineer in 1955 and became a Director that same year. He was elected President and Chief Executive Officer in 1969. He resigned from those positions in 2008, but remained a Director until his retirement in 2014. He was an avid pilot with SEL-MEL and instrument ratings, logging over 2,000 flying hours. He was active in numerous civic activities for the betterment of Oklahoma City. For over 50 years, he was a member of the Downtown Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club. He served on the Board of Trustees of Oklahoma City University and was active in the OKC Economic Club. He coached little league baseball throughout three decades. He was a longtime member of the Nichols Hills United Methodist Church, serving in various capacities. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joye; sons, Kyle and his wife Sheryl, of Edmond; Cameron and his wife Margaret, of Edmond; and John and his wife Amy, of Golden, Colorado; his sister, Norma Moe; brother, R.T. McLain; grandsons, Michael Ray; Mack McLain and wife Marie; Sean, Luke, Eli, Colt, and Mason McLain; granddaughter, Annie Kate McLain, and her fiance, Jordan Crouch; and many nieces, nephews and friends. To quote good friend, Richard M. Webber, "If honesty, integrity, loyalty, forthrightness, intelligence, objectivity, patriotism, generosity, humility and strength of character define someone you would like as a friend, Mason is that kind of person." He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Memorial Service will be held Monday, January 19, 2015, at 2 p.m. at the Nichols Hills United Methodist Church, 1212 Bedford Drive, Oklahoma City. The family would like to express its gratitude for the special care and compassion demonstrated by caregivers, Lori and Trisha Haley, and Dr. Dean Drooby. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Nichols Hills United Methodist Church, Attn: M.W. McLain Donations, 1212 Bedford Dr, Oklahoma City, OK 73116; or to the Kiwanis Club of Oklahoma City, Special Activities Fund, P.O. Box 1425, Oklahoma City, OK 73120.