James Varney Mason

James (Jim) Varney Mason, of Mt. Pleasant, Texas, passed away on February 25, 2025. He was an honorable man of quiet determination, deeply cherished by his family and friends.
Jim was a devoted husband to Sally Pundt Mason, a proud and loving father to his daughter, Amy Mason of Houston, and beloved brother to Bill Mason of Mt. Pleasant. He is preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and John Mason. His family was the cornerstone of his life.
Jim, or Jimmy, as patrons of Mason Hardware knew him, stood as an icon in his hometown of Mt. Pleasant. If you needed a 16 Penny nail or a flange coupling or a wedding registry or horse tack, Jim had it or could quickly get it. The Mason Family Hardware store served as a reliable resource for the community, and Jim became the third generation at the helm in 1972 after graduating from Texas Tech University. In 1975 when the discount retailer, Wal-Mart came to town, Jim, with his family, battled the strong competition and persevered with truly personal service and a broad range of products to meet every need. People came to depend on Jim; Jim had earned their trust and did not let them down. Along with his wife Sally, he continued to greet and serve members of the community from all walks of life until his retirement in 2022.
Jim was a prolific reader and held a profound fascination with both World War II aviation and the space program. This passion was vividly displayed through his ownership of a WWII-era plane. He found immense joy in spending Sunday afternoons with fellow enthusiasts at the Mid-America Flight Museum, sharing his knowledge and appreciation for historical aircraft.
Jim will be remembered for his long-standing service to the people of Mt. Pleasant and the Northeast Texas lakes area, his shared love of aviation with his friends at the Mid-America Flight Museum, and his dedication to his family.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
A visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday, February, 28th at the Bates-Cooper-Sloan Chapel with services Saturday, March 1 at 10:00 AM.