Vernon Mason

Vernon Mason

1932—2017

Vernon “Vern” Earl Mason passed away peacefully on February 1, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Twin Falls, Idaho. He was born in Wendell, Idaho on September 22, 1932 to Herman and Irma Mason.

Vern attended Wendell schools and graduated from Wendell High School in 1950 where he participated in many activities, including basketball, football, and baseball. After briefly attending Boise Junior College, he proudly enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict where he served on the ship U.S.S. Gardiners Bay. While in the Navy, he married Julia Kay Salisbury on February 22, 1953.

After returning from his tour of duty, Vern worked in a variety of jobs including the Cobalt mine, Ambrose Trucking, Peter Keiwit Construction, and Jim Eaton Construction. He then started his own construction company which he continued until his retirement. He often said that the best days of his life were those helping to build Highway 21 between Lowman and Stanley, Idaho. His young family joined him in the summer, living in Lowman in a pull trailer beside the other road construction families. This allowed him to work by day and spend his evenings fishing along the banks of the Payette River.

Vern was known for his appreciation of good friends and family, his love of fishing—including his knack for building beautiful custom graphite fishing poles, his kindheartedness for canines (especially his Irish Setters), and his dedication to his community. He was instrumental in helping to design and build Wendell’s McGinnis Park. He was a member of the Wendell City Council. He was active in both the VFW and the American Legion, where he served as American Legion Post Commander, District Commander, and also Area and Idaho State Commander.  Vern was a member of the Jerome Elks Lodge. He also served on the Wendell School Board and the Wendell Highway District for many years.

Vern and Kay were married for forty-four years, until Kay’s passing in 1997. They have four children: Danny (LeeAnn), Wendell; Verna Kay (Ralph) Angstman, Meridian; Ted (Cindy), Boise; and Ann (Matt) Jackson, Grants Pass, Oregon.

On September 3, 2011 Vern married Judy Weaver. In their short time together, they enjoyed a little traveling, gardening, and an attempt at gold-panning. Together, they continued to serve the community through both the VFW and Wendell American Legion. In 2012, they were selected as Wendell’s Magic Valley Dairy Days Grand Marshals. They were married until Judy’s sudden passing in 2013.

Vern is survived by his four children and their spouses; his brothers, Roy Mason and Jim Mason; his grandchildren, Brandy Mason, Brooke Payton, Alicia Albright, Brandon Mason, Alaina Jackson, Ryan Angstman, Jenna Mason; and his great granddaughters Sydney Albright, and Avery and Kaylin Payton. Vern’s grandchildren will remember him as the best breakfast cook ever!

A celebration of Vern’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the Jerome Elks Club, 406 E 200 S, HWY 93 north of Twin Falls on Saturday, February 11, 2017, followed by a reception.

In memory of Vern, donations can be made to the Jerome VFW Post 3001 or a charity of your choice.