Gary E. Mason

Gary E. Mason, 59, longtime Moses Lake resident passed away suddenly Thursday, January 21, 2010 at his home. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 30, 2010 at the Moses Lake First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Eric Frey officiating. Arrangements are in care of Kayser’s Chapel & Crematory. Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com

Gary was born September 26, 1950 in Laramie, Wyoming son of Robert Lewis and Margaret “Peg” (Wright) Mason. In 1962 the family moved from Laramie to Moses Lake. Gary attended Lakeview Elementary School, Chief Moses Junior High School and Moses Lake High School, graduating in 1969. He loved sports and was captain of the Chief Wrestling team and quarterback of the high school football team. Throughout Junior High and High School Gary maintained a 4.0 G.P.A. and was the Co-Valedictorian of his class. He attended the University of Wyoming on a wrestling scholarship, wrestling for two years. While in college he met Ronda Stoner and they were married on May 29, 1972 in Laramie. Gary graduated in 1973 with a B.A. degree in accounting. Gary successfully passed his accounting boards on the first attempt as a senior. He and Ronda moved to Denver, CO where he began working with Arthur Young and Company Accounting Firm. In 1976 Gary was recruited by Wood and Blessing Accounting in Moses Lake and they relocated shortly after. He remained with the accounting firm as it later became LeMaster and Daniels. In the mid 1980’s he left public accounting to be an independent accountant. He began working on his Master’s in Business Administration in the early 1990’s and finished three years later.

He was a longtime active member of the Moses Lake First Presbyterian Church, a board member and past president of the Moses Lake School District in the early 1980’s, a board member of Samaritan Hospital during the 1990’s and a past member for many years of the Moses Lake Noon Rotary Club. He remained active as a fan and supporter of the Moses Lake wrestling program.

He never met a stranger. He touched the lives of everyone who crossed his path. His integrity was impeccable and his honesty was unchallengeable, just like his father. We loved him dearly and will be missed by all of us.

He is survived by his loving wife of more than 37 years, Ronda at the family home; two daughters and one son-in-law, Cristie Ann and Nic Dirks, Moses Lake, Heather Marie Mason, Manhattan, KS; mother, Margaret “Peg” Mason, of Moses Lake and Queen Valley, AZ; two brothers and spouses, Lewis and Kathy Mason, Moses Lake, Don and Mary Mason, Pensacola, Florida; one sister and spouse, Marie and Gary Tardiff, Richland, WA; two grandchildren, Davis Edward Matthews and Mary Lea Matthews, Manhattan, KS; and a large extended family.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, Robert in 2000 and father-in-law, Frank J. Stoner in 2000.

Memorials may be made to Washington Trust Bank in Gary’s name, 402 Ash Street, Moses Lake, Wa 98837 — Please designate to First Presbyterian Church Benevolence Fund, Moses Lake High School Booster Club or the American Heart Association.