Nola I. Mason

Nola Inez (Arnold) Mason of Muskogee, Oklahoma, passed away on July 5, 2023, at age 90 years. Nola was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on March 27, 1933, to Robert Efton Arnold and Edna Lorena (Gill) Arnold. She was raised in Okmulgee and graduated Okmulgee High School in 1951. Nola married Duane Edward Mason, also from Okmulgee on February 24, 1951 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The couple was happily married for almost 64 years, before Duane’s passing in January 2015. Her husband (Duane) joined the U.S. Air Force in March 1951 and during his training as an aircraft and jet engine mechanic was sent to Manston RAF Station in England. The couple lived in England for three years where their son Robert was born. After discharge from USAF in 1955, they moved to Tulsa and he was employed by Douglas Aircraft Company and attended the University of Tulsa. In 1959, after graduation from TU, the couple moved to Muskogee when he joined Container Corporation. During her husband’s career, they were transferred to Fort Smith, AR; Fort Worth, TX; and Moline, IL for short periods of time, but transferred back to Muskogee after each move. Nola worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in the late 1960’s and 70’s. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader in the late 60’s and early 70’s. She was a member of several Bridge Clubs, Service League of Muskogee, PEO Chapter CJ, and Garden Club of Muskogee. She has been a member of Boulevard Christian Church for 55+ years. For over 30 years, you could find her on Election Day working at the neighborhood polling place. She and her husband shared a love for traveling. She enjoyed watching baseball and football. She enjoyed many snow skiing trips with family and friends. She was an avid tennis player for more than 30 years, playing her last tennis match when she was 74 years old. Her best sports memories included watching her kids, grandkids, and great-grandchildren play baseball, softball, and tennis. Nola always kept a scorebook for all the games and would spend time recalling specific details and statistics of every game. You could clearly hear her from the stands cheering for each player and often telling players what to expect from opponents as they entered the batter’s box. Meme & Papa’s house was always the favorite place to be for the grandkids and great-grands. Nola was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Efton and Edna Lorena Arnold and her parents-in-law, Harry and June Mason, as well as her beloved husband, Duane Mason. Nola leaves behind two children to cherish her memory, Robert and his wife Sandy of Blue Springs, Missouri, Gemma and her husband Loren Ferren of Muskogee; her three grandchildren, Joseph and wife Michelle of Palestine, Texas, Jonathan and wife April of Eagle Grove, Iowa, and Meagan Ferren of Muskogee, Oklahoma; her five great-grandsons; Chase, Caden, and Cohen Mason in Iowa and Reid and Hunt Mason in Texas. She is also survived by a brother-in-law Don and his wife Barbara Mason of Wellsville, Utah and many nieces and nephews. A private Family burial will take place at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery. A memorial service celebrating Nola’s life will be held on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 11:30AM at Boulevard Christian Church in Muskogee with Reverend Steve Moss officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family has made arrangements for donations in Nola Mason’s memory to one of the following organizations that she loved and supported for many years. Boulevard Christian Church, American Cancer Society, and Muskogee Garden Club.

Nola I. Mason

March 27, 1933 - July 5, 2023