Born on June 16, 1926, and on November 18, 2023, “Gene” Mason, was reunited with the love of his life, Joy Beam Mason.
After a brief earthly separation, the couple of 71 years two months and seven days moved into their heavenly home on the corner of Gold and Pearl streets. When you get there, you will find them across the street from Rose and George Svedeba and around the corner from a home that’s reserved for Ken and Nancy Ward. Joy went ahead of Gene in November of 2020, in order to talk Peter into letting Pop in when he arrives.
Pop, as he was affectionally known, lived a life that was marked by devotion to God and church; to loving and providing for family; and to service in his country and community. He was a cherished husband, a beloved father, father-in-law, grandfather and great-grandfather and father-in-love. His kindness and generosity were felt by hundreds of friends and neighbors. He was appreciated for his service to the fire department, rescue squad, and his church community.
Gene was the second son of Floyd H. and Bessie Funk Mason. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, he attended public schools until the outbreak of WWII. In the U. S. Navy, he became a corpsman, assigned to the 1st Battalion Tank division of the Marines on Okinawa. After surviving malaria, a typhoon, and embedded Japanese soldiers, his battalion was deployed to North China to await the invasion of Japan. Thankfully, the war ended, and the invasion force was returned to the United States.
Gene will be fondly remembered as a loving husband of 71 years to Joy B. Mason; father to four sons, Michael F. (Brenda), Chris C.(Donna), Patrick W. (Cary),Timothy G.(Tunyathon), and Daughter-in-love, Melanie Brimhall (Craig), ten grandchildren, Kathryn, Courtney, Jennifer, Andrea, Steven, Taylor, Heather, Rachel, Austin, and Hannah; ten great grandchildren, Cole, Kennedy, Noah, Benjamin, Harper, Maelyn, Van, Kaleigh, Charlotte and Stella.
A visitation for Ernest will be held Monday, November 20, 2023 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, Virginia 23188. Funeral will be held at Williamsburg United Methodist Church, 500 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, Virginia, at 1 p.m., on Nov. 21, 2023, with a burial to follow at Williamsburg Memorial Park, 130 King William Drive, Williamsburg, Virginia.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared here.
