C. Jeffrey Mason

C. Jeffrey Mason, 77, of Aventura, Fla., formerly of Drums, passed away peacefully Thursday surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, Jeff moved to Hazleton during World War II. He was the son of the late Florence (Friedman) Mason and Donald Mason.

Jeff was a graduate of Arizona State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from the College of Business Administration. After graduation, he worked for the Leader Department Store, downtown Hazleton, as a merchandise manager/credit manager. In addition, he served six years in the Pennsylvania National Guard, 165th Military Police Unit, in Hazleton Heights.

In 1968, he was one of the original shareholders of LDP Inc., d/b/a Leader Data Processing, and was elected to the board of directors as treasurer. In 1972, he assumed full responsibility for the financial area of LDP.

In 1972, he also assumed the position of human resource manager. He designed and implemented the LDP Inc. Employees Handbook and the Employees Defined Benefit Pension Plan. When the union was established at LDP Inc., he led all union negotiations.

In 1976, his responsibilities expanded to include the areas of account management.

In June of 1994, Jeff was elected chairman of the board and CFO. In January 1995, he was also elected president of LDP Inc. and assumed the role of CEO.

Jeff's present/past corporate affiliations included president of COM, Inc., managing partner of COM Leasing Associates, a full-service leasing company, chairman of the board/secretary of LDP, Inc., director of Advanced-Tec Materials LLC, director of Evergreen Raceway Inc., board member of Concrete Alternatives & More Inc., director of IMR Limited, secretary/treasurer of Insta-Print Inc., president of Interface Inc., secretary/treasurer of International Microfilmers Inc., board member of Jo Jo's Beverage Store Inc., merchandise manager for The Leader Department Store, president of LizRick Tours Inc., secretary/treasurer of Metro Talent Inc., secretary/treasurer of Micro-Comfax Inc., secretary/treasurer of Micrographics Internationals Inc., president of Quest Systems & Technology LLC, treasurer of Stanton Lanes Inc., president of Hunter Highway Inc. and secretary/treasurer of Leader 1320 Realty Inc.

Jeff's present/past civic affiliations included treasurer for Beth Israel Temple, president for Beth Israel Cemetery Association, member of Hazleton Education Council (Penn State Hazleton Campus Advisory Board), member of Penn State Mount Nittany Society, president of Pennsylvania State Police Camp Cadet Troop N, president of Valmont Park Association, board member of The Greater Hazleton Area Historical Society, serving on the Advisory Board for Mid Penn Bank of Hazleton, vice president of the Castle Board of Directors (Alice C. Wiltsie Performing Arts Center), director and income development chairman for the Greater Hazleton American Cancer Society, past president of the Hazleton Educational Council (Penn State Hazleton Advisory Board), member of the board of directors of Hazleton General Hospital, treasurer of Hazleton Government Study Commission in 1984, treasurer/coach for Hazleton Little League, member of the Hazleton Planning Commission, director for Hazleton YMCA, member of the Lehigh Valley Hazleton Campus Professional Affairs Committee, committee member of the Minsi Trails Boy Scouts and a member of Greater Hazleton Healthcare Alliance Professional Affairs Committee.

Jeff's club affiliations included the Hazleton Elks Lodge 200, American Legion Post 781 and he was an NRA life member.

Jeff was an avid Yankees baseball fan. He loved to travel and enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his adoring grandchildren.

Preceding him in death was his granddaughter, Julia Mason.

Surviving are his wife of 35 years, Judith A. Mason, Aventura, Fla.; his sons, C. Jeffrey Mason Jr. (wife, Lynn), Sugarloaf Twp.; David J. Mason (wife, Jill), Drums; daughter, Stacey L. Baker (husband, Cory), Hagerstown, Md.; grandchildren, Aaron J. Mason; Calli Mason; Riley Mason; Zoe Mason; Preston and Peyton Coffman; Haley Filbert; and Emerson and Sullivan Baker. He is also survived by his sister, Susan Mason Horn (husband, David), Beverly Hills, Calif.; and a nephew, Matthew Horn, Seattle, Wash.

Donations may be made in memory of Jeff to Beth Israel Temple (Mason Family Endowment Fund), P.O. Box 2147, Hazleton, PA 18201; or Camp Cadet Troop N, P.O. Box 2279, Hazleton, PA 18201.

Funeral arrangements will be conducted by Fierro Funeral Home, 26 W. Second St., Hazleton. The viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday from Beth Israel Temple, 98 N. Church St., Hazleton.

Interment will follow in Beth Israel Cemetery.