James Mason

SIKESTON, Mo. -- James Henry Mason Sr., 88, a loving husband and father, died Dec. 15, 2010 at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

He was born April 11, 1922, in Sikeston, son of the late Benjamin Sweet and Mary Jane "Molly" Hart Mason. On Jan. 15, 1946, he married Louise Myers. She preceded him in death Oct. 28, 1977.

He attended Murray Lane Baptist Church for the past five years and was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Elks Club.

Mr. Mason was a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Artillery Division during World War II and then owned and operated the Jolly Cab Co., Carter Cab Co., Yellow Cab Co. and Sikeston City Cab for more than 50 years in Sikeston before retiring.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, James "Jim" Henry Jr. and Donna Mason of Jackson; one daughter and son-in-law, Pamela Ann and Jess Tibbs of Sikeston; five grandchildren, Alecia (Jeromy) Jordan of Bertrand, Mo., Vic (Stephanie) Stephens of Sikeston, Joe Tibbs of Pevely, Mo., Ashley (Mike) Knust of Brazil, Ind., Megan (James) Torres of Bertrand; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Richard Mason; five sisters, Opal Basham, Georgia Badart, Margarete Cockman, Kathleen Babcock, Tempi Johnson; and a brother, Jonathon Fish Mason.

Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Ponder Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Kelley Grubbs, pastor of Murray Lane Baptist Church, officiating.

Burial will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston.