James Joseph Mason

James J. Mason was born on December 3, 1930, the son of Frank C. Mason and Julia Frances Burke Mason. He was raised in Lynbrook, Long Island, where he attended Catholic elementary school. After graduating from prep school, he received a B.A. from Villanova University in 1952, an LL.B. from St. John’s University School of Law in 1955, and an LL.M. from New York University Graduate School of Law in 1961.

He was conscripted in August of 1955 and on December 26, 1955 he married Mary Josephine Flood of Baldwin, Long Island. He was sent to Fort Lewis a few days later and they lived in St. Patrick Parish until August of 1957 when he was discharged from the army. While in the army he worked nights and Saturdays as a librarian at The Downtown Tacoma Library.

He practiced in his father’s admiralty law firm in New York City until 1961 when he and his growing family returned to Tacoma. They bought their home in St. Charles Borromeo Parish in 1962. He was active in the parish, serving as a CCD teacher, as a member of the parish council, and in other capacities. He was licensed in New York and Washington and in various federal courts, and practiced law in Tacoma until he retired at the end of 1999. He enjoyed trial work and was for many years general counsel to the Port of Tacoma, town attorney for Ruston and Dupont, and represented many other public entities, businesses, and individuals. He and his wife Mary were active in pro-life causes and he served as pro bono counsel for the pro-life litigants in Pierce and south King counties.

Dad never for a moment regretted moving to Tacoma from New York. He loved the Northwest, commented on how friendly the people were, how perfect the climate was, and how beautiful the flowers were in the Spring.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, who died on December 6, 2015, twenty days before their 60th wedding anniversary, as well as his brother Frank Mason Jr. He is survived by his sister, Sister Mary Francis Mason, by his daughters Victoria Mason, Alice Hori, Jane Medrzycki, and Rosanne Hoza, by 15 grandchildren, and by numerous great grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 9:00am at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. The Rosary will be recited on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 7:00pm at Gaffney Funeral Home Chapel. Internment at Calvary Cemetery.

Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School endowment fund.