William Jason

Wm. Mackall Jason Jan. 6, 1926 - Dec. 30, 2011 William Mackall Jason died peacefully at home in Atherton, surrounded by family members after a short illness. Although born in Portland Oregon in 1926, his parents and grandparents were all from Northern California and he lived in the Bay Area for 84 of his 85 years. "Mack" as he was known to all, lived a full and happy life, as a self-employed business executive, family man, polo player and active in business organizations. He was kind, smart and more than that, a gentleman, who never raised his voice or said an unkind word to or about anyone. He was predeceased by the love of his life, vivacious Madelyn Gilmore Jason whom he was married to for 61 years. They leave three daughters and a son, Lyn and Herschel Cobb, Marianne and Buz Walters, Elizabeth and Jim Adams and Bill and Karen Jason, all of the SF Bay Area. And, Mack was very proud of his 8 grandchildren, Jason, Ian and Andrew Kibbey, Preston, Frank and Katherine Walters and Madelyn and Ty Cobb and one great grandchild, Turner R. Kibbey. He also leaves behind the Knoop family, assorted godchildren and cousins as well as Luke Qauqau and family. Mack owned and operated his paper and educational products company, Bemiss- Jason Corporation, which was sold in the late 1990's. He loved his work and remained active in other businesses and went to the office daily until a year ago. Mack and Madelyn liked to combine travel and business, and much of the travel was through the World Presidents Organization where he was a past WPO President in 1992 and member for many years. Many of Mack and Madelyn's closest friends came from YPO and later WPO. Mack's passion was playing polo for over 50 years. He was an ambassador to the Federation of International Polo, Board member of the United States Polo Association, and past Governor of the Pacific Coast Circuit. Mack was instrumental in bringing polo back to the Menlo Circus Club and was a founding member of the Eldorado Polo Club in the Palm Springs area. He graduated from Stanford University in 1948, as a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He continued his love of Stanford Cardinal football, watching as many games as he could fit in. He enjoyed his 49er season tickets, ever since they played in Kezar Stadium in the 40's. His participation in WWII as a naval officer was a source of great pride for him and later in life, told stories of being on a minesweeper in the Pacific and in China. In 1946, he captained a YMS back home to San Francisco. Mack was a member of the Menlo Circus Club, the Bohemian Club, and the Menlo Country Club for over 60 years. His family founded Thunderbird as a Dude Ranch in 1947 and remained in the Palm Springs area and playing golf at Eldorado Country Club. A memorial mass will be held at the Church of the Nativity, Oak Grove Avenue, Menlo Park, on Friday, January 6th, at 2:00 p.m. for family and friends. Contributions can be made to the Religious of the Sacred Heart, Oakwood, 140 Valparaiso Avenue, Atherton, CA 94027 or to the charity of your choice.