RAPID CITY | J.D. Mason went home with Jesus Christ on Jan. 1, 2015.
He was born Jack Davis Mason Jr. on Feb. 17, 1943, to Jack D. Mason Sr. and Ruth A. (Coburn) Mason at St. Joseph's Hospital in Deadwood. He spent a happy childhood in Deadwood and St. Onge.
Later, he was moved to Philip. He graduated from Philip High School in 1961. J.D. served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps and with the Army Security Agency. He was proud to have served his country.
J.D. earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree and a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Dakota. Later, he attended the University of Wyoming where he studied geography. J.D. loved learning; he never stopped.
He always had several books to read. He loved to study cosmology and physics. He said they were tools to help see God and His wonderful creation.
On August 21, 1964, J.D. was married to Barbara H. Jones, this was the best deal he ever made. He loved her beyond measure and said she was the most courageous person he knew. They had three children, two daughters and a son, J.D. cherished every minute he spent with his son , but especially their late-night talks about politics and philosophy.
Throughout his life, J.D. had many friends; he always thought he was lucky to have them. If J.D. was your friend, he was your friend forever, no matter what happened or where you went.
He truly hopes that any of his friends who haven't accepted the salvation of Jesus Christ get off their broad behinds and do it. J.D. was blessed to see his lifelong friend, Jerry Thompson, accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
J.D. was not always a believer in Jesus Christ. He took the deal, as offered, on October 10, 1976. Since then many things have happened that, judged by worldly standards, were terrible, but with the love of Jesus, they were no trouble at all. J.D. was glad to go home; he was weary of being sick.
He was sorry to leave Bobbi, his children, and his grandchildren. He is waiting to see them again.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Rimrock Church, 12200 Hwy. 44. Interment will be at another time. Flowers are prohibited, as are conspicuous weeping and windy speeches.
If you want to do something, donate money to Nora's efforts to help children poisoned by their mothers drinking alcohol and doing drugs. Think big and write large.