Richard L. Mason, 82, of Girard, died at 3:46 a.m., Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.
Richard was born August 27, 1941, in Milford, Kansas, a son of Chester L. and Grace D. (Haden) Mason. He attended school in Milford before moving with his family to Girard in 1950.
He married Mary Kay Hallacy on December 28, 1963, in St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Greenbush, Kansas. Mary Kay survives of the home.
He served in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1963 until 1965.
Richard worked as a truck driver at Producer’s Coop in Girard. He then worked with his father in the plumbing business and later became the owner/operator of Mason Plumbing. He finished his career driving a truck for Elsworth Trucking in Humboldt, Kansas, before retiring in 2003. During retirement, he worked part-time at Ray and Steve’s Carwash in Girard.
In his younger years, Richard attended the United Methodist Church in Girard. He was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Girard, and he enjoyed his family, watching John Wayne westerns, playing Bingo, and camping.
Survivors, in addition to his wife, Mary Kay Mason, of the home, are his children, Dennis (Shari) Mason of Holden, Missouri, Tammie Jameson (Scott Mayberry) of Girard, Joyce Mason of West Des Moines, Iowa, Peggy (Jeff) Walker of Girard, Steve Mason of Girard, Cindy (Jess) Murphy of Girard, and Barbara (Judd) Bailey of Girard; his grandchildren, Kayla (C.T.) Nickle, Tyler Jameson, Jessica (Logan) Franklin, Amber Klepac, Brett (Bailey) Mason, Jordan Jameson, Brittany Wells, Kennedy Walker (Alex Vohs), Kelci Murphy (Fiancé Matthew Mix), Mason Wells, Brandon (Kelsey) Walker, Denise Mason, Mitchell Murphy, Hanna Bailey, Graci Murphy, Jimmy Murphy, and Trenton (Kelsey) Mayberry; 15 great-grandchildren; his siblings, Lester Gene Mason (Charlotte) of Girard, Patsy McCollum of Camden, Arkansas; and many in-laws.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law, Montee “Ray” McCollum; great-grandson, Cooper Klepac; and many loved in-laws.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Girard with Fr. Daniel Vacca as Celebrant. Burial will be in the Girard Cemetery.
The Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, at St. Michael’s Church, with a visitation from 6:00 p.m. until the start of the Rosary. Friends may call after 2:00 p.m., Sunday, at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard.
Memorials are suggested to Saint Michaels Altar Society or the Girard High School F.F.A., and these may be left at the Mass or the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, 518 W St. John, Box 258, Girard, 66743.
Condolences may be sent to www.wallfuneralservices.com.
