James Michael "Mike" Mason

1944 - 2025

James Michael "Mike" Mason, 81, passed away peacefully on Dec. 11, 2025, at Dozier House, Big Bend Hospice in Tallahassee, after an extended illness.
Mike was born Jan. 6,1944 in Clearwater, first child for the late James S. Mason and Gertrude Rodgers Mason. He grew up on Susina Plantation, in Grady County, Georgia. When he was 10 years old the family moved to Thomasville where he attended local schools. He graduated from Darlington School in Rome, Georgia and later from Valdosta State College where he received a degree in English.
Mike married Laura Reba Patten on June 13, 1965, and they enjoyed 60 beautiful years together. Mike began his career as a teacher at Cook High School in Adel, Georgia. In 1973 they relocated to Thomasville, where he worked as a juvenile probation officer. Later they moved their family to Quitman, Georgia, where they were the publishers and editors of the Quitman Free Press for the next 12 years. In 1989 they decided to change direction and relocated to Shell Point. Mike became an avid fisherman and sailor. He went back to teaching at Wakulla High School and transitioned into a teacher with Wakulla County Second Chance. He started a program for those students to learn a trade and taught them the basics of construction and woodworking, providing them with skills outside of the standard learning criteria. Mike retired from the Wakulla County School system in 2006. He enjoyed the beautiful and peaceful property that he and Reba purchased in Sopchoppy and loved every moment spent there. His love of the outdoors and nature deepened even more.
Mike was a man with many interests and talents. His love of hunting, fishing, sailing, golf and woodworking were some of his favorites. He loved to be outdoors and on the Gulf. He was a big supporter of Reba and the Wakulla Community Theater, always volunteering with set designs for each show. He built his wife a beautiful master suite onto their quaint home in Sopchoppy transforming the entire home. Mike was a member of the Sopchoppy United Methodist Church, where he volunteered on many projects within the church.
He is survived by his wife, Reba Patten Mason, Tallahassee, FL, son James "Jay" Christian Mason (Dee Dee), Sylvester, GA, daughter Laura Amanda Mason Wallace, Crawfordville, FL. grandchildren, Talin Alysse Mason and Reilly James Mason, Sylvester, GA. Sister Eleanor Ann Dawson, Rockhill, SC, David Lafayette Mason (Jennifer), Albany, GA., his nephew Mason Dawson (Michelle) Great nephews: Camden Dawson and Jameson Dawson. He was preceded in death by his parents, James S. Mason and Gertrude Rodgers Mason and brother, Richard Rodgers "Dick" Mason and nephews Richard Robert "Dick-Bob" Mason and Ben Dawson.
Service was held Dec. 19, 2025, at Bevis Funeral Home, 200 John Knox Road, Tallahassee. Family received friends at 1 p.m. with the service at 2 p.m.
Memorial donations in his memory may be made to Sopchoppy United Methodist Church, PO Box 85, Sopchoppy FL 32358..