Duane E. Mason

Duane Edward Mason, 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at his home in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He was born April 9, 1931 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Harry Livesay Mason and June Marvel (Thompson) Mason. He grew up on a farm and attended schools in Okmulgee, OK and graduated in 1949. Duane married the love of his life, Nola Inez (Arnold) Mason on February 24, 1951 in Fort Smith, Arkansas and has lived primarily in the Muskogee area. They shared 63 years of marriage together. Duane joined the U.S. Air Force in March 1951. After training as an aircraft and jet engine mechanic, Duane was sent to Manston RAF Station in England. The couple lived in England for three years where their son Robert was born. After his honorable discharge from USAF in 1955, they moved to Tulsa and was employed by Douglas Aircraft Company and attended the University of Tulsa. In 1959, after graduating from TU, the couple moved to Muskogee when he joined Container Corp. of America. During his career, Duane was transferred to Fort Smith, AR; Fort Worth, TX; and Moline, IL for short periods of time, but always transferred back to Muskogee after each move. Duane retired as General Manager in 1996 from Jefferson Smurfit Corporation (formerly Container Corporation of America) after a 37 year career with the company. Duane was an active member of Boulevard Christian Church. During his working career, he was a member of the Muskogee Chamber of Commerce, serving as President in 1984. He also served as an Executive Board Member of the Muskogee Development, Salvation Army, and United Way of Muskogee. After his retirement, he served on the City of Muskogee Merit Board for several years. Duane loved working in his garage, tinkering on cars, and construction projects around the house. He designed and was instrumental in the building of five family homes that were built in the Muskogee area. He loved snow skiing in his younger days and loved watching his kids, grandkids, and great-grandchildren play baseball and softball. His family kindly remembers Duane’s legacy of love, faith, and happiness he shared with them. They also remember him as a man of integrity. Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and June Mason; and one sister, Marilyn Mason Chandler. He is survived by his wife, Nola Mason of the home; two children; Robert Mason and his wife Sandy of Blue Springs, Missouri, and Gemma Mason-Ferren and her husband Loren Ferren of Muskogee, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Joseph Mason and his wife Michelle of Palestine, Texas, Jonathan Mason and his wife April of Eagle Grove, Iowa, and Meagan Ferren and her fiancé John Smith of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; five great-grandchildren, Chase, Caden, and Cohen Mason of Iowa, and Reid and Hunt Mason of Texas; brother, Don Mason and his wife Barbara of Wellsville, Utah; and many nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends. Friends may wish to remember Duane by making memorials to the Duane Mason Memorial Fund at Boulevard Christian Church, 1700 W Shawnee, Muskogee, OK. The family will receive friends from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at Cornerstone Funeral Home. A celebration of Duane’s life will be 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at Boulevard Christian Church with Mr. Steve Moss officiating. Interment will follow at Fort Gibson National Cemetery with full Military Honors. Pallbearers will be Robert Mason, Joseph Mason, Jonathan Mason, Loren Ferren, John Smith, Don Mason, Jim Hammons, and Luke Abel. Honorary Pallbearers will be Carl Pierceall, Gene Day, the late Mack Whitaker, Vernnon Burkett, Doug Chandler, Gary Chandler, Glenn Chandler, and Galen Chandler.

Duane E. Mason

April 9, 1931 - January 24, 2015