Gary Dean Mason

On April 11th the lord called Gary Mason to try a new fishing lure that was guaranteed to catch a fish with every cast.

Gary was born in Rexburg Idaho on November 2, 1939 to Frank and Lois (Huff) Mason.  The family moved to Lodge Grass Montana to raise bees, and collect honey.   Gary helped his dad with the honey business for many years.  The family stayed in Lodge Grass until Gary was 14, then they moved to Hamilton and operated a small grocery store.  Gary graduated from Hamilton High School in 1958.

During High School and after graduation he worked for the Studebaker dealership in Hamilton.  He also joined the Montana National Guard and served for 8 years achieving the rank of sergeant. In 1959 Gary started with the Rural Electric Association, now known as Ravalli Electric Co-op.  He started on the ground supporting lineman, and soon turned into a lineman himself.  His career would blossom throughout the years until he became the manager of the Co-op.  In 1981 he had a heart attack that resulted in open heart surgery and in a few years he decided to retire from the Co-op and become an auctioneer.  Gary and Margee owned Mason Marketing Services for a number of years and he enjoyed all the social interactions and the travel that came with this new career!  Gary also gave a go at being a politician and served a 2 year term with the Montana Legislature.  He finally sold the business and settled down into retirement.

Gary had considerable hobbies.  Hunting, camping, snowmobiling, watching the weather forecast on TV, riding and packing horses and of course fishing.  He packed and rode through the Pintlar Wilderness and was able to ride his horse right to his house to finish the journey.  He also enjoyed looking at cow butts during the fall roundup at the Martinel ranch in Dell, Montana.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Lois Mason.

Gary is survived by his wife Margee, sister Sharon (Doug) Swisher, brother Frank (Connie) Mason, children Carl (Deb) Mason, Doug (Rita) Mason, Teresa (Greg) Stephens, Tracy (Angie) Mason, Carrie (Travis) VanDyke, and Chad Wilson, 15 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren.  Gary had a very large extended family in Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Missouri, and Washington, and loved attending family reunions.

Gary was a very special man who was a great husband, father, brother, and grandfather, who supported and nurtured his family through all of their various activities.

Gary was always smiling, creating many lifelong friends through his journeys that were very special to him.

The family will be holding a Memorial Service on Tuesday the 19th of April at 2 p.m. at the Daly-Leach Chapel located at 1010 W Main St, Hamilton.

Tight lines Gary!