MASON, John Roeland
9/22/16 to 1/15/06
John R. passed away peacefully on January 15, 2006 in his home with his children, Sharon & Rob Kerrigan, Steve & Pam Mason, and Sally & Michael Ouilhon, close by. John R. was born on September 22, 1916 in Omaha, Nebraska. His father, Roland Reginald Mason, and mother, Ruth Elizabeth Bowman Mason, lived in several states before settling in southern California, where he attended high school and college. John R. graduated from UCLA in 1938 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. In 1938 he entered the armed forces as a Second Lieutenant, in the Infantry Reserve. While in the reserves he worked for General Motors Corporation as a cost accountant. In 1942 he entered the Army Air Corps on the active duty roster and in 1943 he completed the Army Air Corps pilot training. This successfully began his brilliant military career. As a pilot of the B-25, John R. served as commanding officer of the 17th Reconnaissance Squadron, which engaged in flying surveillance missions on the Japanese coast. He briefly separated from the Army Air Corps in 1946 while he owned and operated an auto garage/gas station. In 1947 he re-entered the Air Force as a Captain, and was eventually stationed in occupied Japan at Yakota Air Force base. Here, he met and married the love of his life, Dottye Dimple Brown. They enjoyed 54 years of a joyful, adventuresome, loving life together until Dottye passed away in Dec. 2003. Their union was blessed with 4 children, and the family traveled all over the world. John R. was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and served as operations officer in Berlin, Germany when the Berlin wall went up. His youngest son, Michael Bowman Mason, passed away in 1967. His grandchildren, Kelly & Jon Spaich, Kimmy Kerrigan, Mandy & Michelle Mason, Mike & Nicole & Brian Ouilhon, will deeply miss their Papa. John R. lived his life to the fullest with his quick wit, great sense of humor, intelligent mild manner, and traditional family values of compassion, love and respect. People were drawn to him like a magnet, and he had the truly wonderful ability of making everyone feel special. Family and friends will be gathering Saturday, Jan. 28th at 11 am, at the Hillcrest Alliance Church, 911 Hillcrest Ave. Roseville, Co. for a Memorial Service to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to American Heart Association, 2007 O Street, Sacramento, Ca. 95814.