JAMES DUNN MASON JR.

1925 - 2020

Dr. James Dunn Mason, Jr. was the son of James Dunn Mason and Sarah Hamilton Mason; grandson of Alexander donnas Hamilton, Cornelia Cocke Hamilton, James D. Mason and Martha Leigh Mason. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Jeanne Walsh Mason; and brother, Alexander Hamilton Mason. He is survived by 5 children: Dr. Joseph T. Mason (Nancy), James D. Mason IV, Nancy M. Terrell (Jerry), William W. Mason (Beth), and Patrick H. Mason (Devlin). Also surviving are 8 grandchildren: Sara P. Mason, Kate W.Mason, James D. Mason Elizabeth Mason, Bud Webb, James Webb, Cameron Terrell and Samantha Collins. He is also survived by sister, Sarah "Sally" Ayers (Charles); and great grandchildren: Madelyn Webb, Jameson Webb and Rhett Schecter. He was educated in the Petersburg public school system and was valedictorian of the class of 1941 at PHS. He attended the University of Virginia and received his B.A. in 1948 and M.D. in 1951 He was a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity, the Raven Society, ODK leadership fraternity, the AOA honor medical society and Eli Banana. He was privileged to serve on the honor committee at UVA. After graduation, he trained at Boston University for 2 years, during which he met and married his soul mate Jeanne Walsh while she was training as a nurse at Faulkner Hospital. They returned to UVA for 2 more years of training in Internal Medicine and Hematology/Oncology before moving to Petersburg to join the practice of Mumford Yates, with whom enjoyed a great partnership. He was a diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine and practiced for 45 years. He served as chief of staff for 2 terms at Petersburg General Hospital, later Southside Regional. He was a lifetime member of the American Medical Society and the American College of Physicians. He also served on the board of directors of the UVA Medical Alumni Association and on the board of trustees of the UVA Medical Alumni Foundation. During WW11, he served in the U.S. Army for 31 months. He was a rifleman in the 96th Infantry Division and received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for action in the invasion of Leyte in the Philippines, during which he was shot in the arm. Jimmy had a strong Christian faith and was a founding member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, where he was an Elder Emeritus, taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. He was profoundly grateful to God for all the blessings he received on earth and trusted God's grace in eternity. He enjoyed most sports as an observer and participant. In 1941, he was the boys state tennis champion, and with his good friend Ed Clements, state doubles champion. He was not as proficient at golf but had a passion for the game, and was fortunate to play many of the world's great courses with his many good friends. After his retirement in 2000, he audited many courses at Richard Bland College. He also enjoyed playing bridge and poker with friends. He was a member of the Rotary Club, the YMCA, and the Country Club of Petersburg. He loved his family deeply and appreciated his love for them. He loved his in-laws just as much. All services are private at this time. A celebration of his life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 201 Walnut Blvd, Petersburg, 23805. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.