Wade Mason

Michael “Wade” Mason, 51, of Twin Falls, peacefully passed away, surrounded by family, at St. Luke's MVRMC on February 18th, 2016 due to complications of diabetes and vascular disease.

So, fly on Wade, beyond the sun
Your work on earth has been well done.

Your pain is gone, you are whole again
With twinkling eyes and mischievous grin.

We know now Wade, you’ve passed the test
Or, you would still be here with the rest.

Our grief is great and our hearts so ache
With every living breath we take.

But, we’ll try hard now to follow your lead
And lend a hand to those in need.

So fly now, Wade, your Granddads await
Just inside those Pearly Gates.

They have yarns to spin and tales to tell
Of mountain streams and desert trails.
- Ed Mason

Wade was born July 14, 1964 in Jerome, Idaho to Ed and Billie Mason. He attended Kimberly Elementary and graduated from Twin Falls School High School, participating in all sports with his favorite being the high school rodeo team. He loved bull riding and rodeo and traveled to Montana to a rodeo with an older gentleman that ended up leaving Wade get home on his own!

Wade was a caring and adventurous boy.  His caring nature was first noticed when he was 7 years old and playing baseball with the Twin Falls Recreation Department. He was supposed to be with the team to start the game, but he was slowly walking with another boy. He was asked to hurry up and he replied sternly, “I’m walking with my friend”. Only then did we realize that his friend was afflicted with Cerebral Palsy! Wade didn’t even know his name but he found him a place to sit and Wade became the arms and legs of the happiest boy at the game.

Wade had a love for animals, starting with a puppy he brought home because the Vet was going to euthanize it. He had many, many pets throughout the years. All of his pets were his favorite and there wasn’t a critter that wasn’t his friend. And, so it went, always caring for others more than himself.

When Wade was around twelve years old and at two in the morning, his parents received a call from the Sheriff’s office, wondering if we knew where Wade was. His dad said he was in bed and the Deputy said no, he was at the Sheriff’s Office. He and a friend wanted to go to Rock Creek canyon hunting raccoons. His had told them they could go the next day. Well, the next day starts after midnight! They weren’t breaking any laws, just scaring the neighbors with their bonfire.

At age 15, Wade got a summer job at the Diamond D Ranch over Loon Creek Summit and he fell in love with the mountains. Later his Aunt Olive and Uncle Denny introduced him to the life of a mountain man. He went all the way, teepee, tomahawk, black powder, buckskins and fire making.

A leg injury ended his career in the army and he came home where he excelled as an engraver with his Dad at the trophy shop beginning in 1984. When the family purchased Gem State Trophies he became the Manager.

His next adventure was scuba diving. He went on a diving trip to the Cayman Islands, diving with sharks and then on to Bermuda, where they had to ride out a hurricane. He became a scuba instructor and his next adventure began. Judy was one of his students became his best friend and the love of his life. Judy's 3 children became a big part of his life and he loved and cared for them as if they were his own. He was very proud of them!

Wade and Judy traveled to the Cayman Island, where they went scuba diving, deep sea fishing and just enjoyed each other. They loved to fish locally, but there had to be a bet, first caught, most fish and biggest fish. Wade usually had to pay!

There wasn’t anything Wade wouldn’t try. He never lost his love of the mountains and soon he and Judy were spending weekends gold mining. After a few years they bought a cabin in the old mining town of Atlanta, ID and he spent June through September each year mining their claims on the Middle Fork of the Boise River.

He was a man of many, many talents, an enormous heart, a giving spirit and will truly be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. When Wade got interested in something, he studied it and gleaned every bit of information from any one and any place he could find. He made many friends in Atlanta and became a kind of go-to man for information or help with equipment. Wade could read a stream and tell on which side of a bend or part of the stream a pay strike might gather.

Wade came by his adventurous spirit from his two Grandfathers, one was a prospector, miner and adventurer and the other a horseman and a man who lassoed and broke Mustang horses. Unfortunately, they both passed before he was born.

Wade is survived by his amazing parents Ed and Billie Mason, his adoring wife, Judy, their children Renee (JJ) Cox, their 2 daughters Sage and Lindsay, Becky Roberts, her 3 children, John, Sam and Lizzy, Tony (Donna) Roberts, their 3 children, Taura, Tao and Ollie and his son Tyler Ross from a previous marriage. He also leaves behind a brother Vance (Robin) Mason, their 3 children Kyle, Corey and Riley, uncle Dean Mason, aunts Barbara Frith, Bette Jo (John) Cline, Olive (Dennis) Turpin, Georgene Mason, and many, many cousins, a large extended family, many close friends and his beloved fur babies. He held a special place in his heart for his dear friend Vern who not only was his dredging buddy that was like a brother to him.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, February 27th, 2016 from 12 to 5pm at the home of his parents, Ed & Billie Mason (3383B N. 3100 E. Twin Falls, Idaho). Help us honor Wade by joining us for food, stories and memories. All are welcome! At Wade’s request, no additional funeral services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Atlanta Emergency Medical Service ([email protected]) or the Magic Valley Humane Society.