Louis D. Mason

Mason, Louis Duane

Louis Duane Mason died peacefully Saturday, November 29, 2014. He had been placed in hospice care in May and moved into Astoria Villa, an assisted living facility, in September.

Louis was an educator, an author, an artist, a golfer, and a life-long, die-hard Chicago Cubs fan. He loved his family and enjoyed the company of his many friends. Nothing pleased him more than to spend the day on the golf course followed by a beer or two and a good meal.

He was born February 7, 1934, in Des Plaines, Illinois, to Louis David and Ethel Homstad Mason. In 1947, his family moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where he graduated from high school and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He was proud to have served as a Marine during which time he was stationed in Japan and was able to travel throughout Asia.

After graduating from college Louis was hired in 1960 by the Oshkosh (Wisconsin) Public School system, where he taught business subjects at Oshkosh High School and then Oshkosh West High School. He was honored by being chosen as teacher of the year and serving many years as department chairman. He was the author of numerous educational books and materials. He retired in 1996.

In 1962, Louis married Sara Bradley in Providence, Kentucky. They had two children born in Oshkosh: Laura Anne Mason and John Bradley Mason. In 1997, Louis and Sara moved to Glendale, Arizona, where they remained until 2012 when they relocated to Lake San Marcos, California.

Throughout his life Louis enjoyed painting. He exhibited at art fairs in the Oshkosh area and was the winner of several awards. As life got busier he took a break from his painting career to concentrate on his writing but after retirement, and the move to Arizona, he resumed painting and became extremely successful. His paintings have been shown in galleries and juried art shows throughout the United States, placed in the permanent collection of several museums, and purchased by both private and corporate collectors on four continents.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Laura, and siblings, Dorothy Mason Frye, Frederick Mason, and Lois Mason Daly. He is survived by his wife, Sara, son, John and his wife, Janey, son-in-law, Rob Ambrose, granddaughter, Vivian Louise Mason, several nieces and nephews, and Daisy Rose, his sweet Havanese dog.

Burial services will be private with interment at Miramar National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to San Marcos Lutheran Church, in memory of Louis Mason, 3419 Grand Avenue, San Marcos, CA 92078.