Owen Payne Mason was born March 14, 1936, in Tazewell, TN to Bern and Lucy Mason. He was the 7th of 9 children, 4 boys and 5 girls. He moved to Lafayette, IN in 1955 and married Dorothy Lee Payne on December 27, 1960. They were married for over sixty years.
Owen began his employment in Lafayette working for 31 years at National Homes as a Union Carpenter.
Upon the closing of National Homes, he accepted a position at New Directions for two years before being offered a position with First United Methodist Church, where he was custodian for 17 years before retiring. During his full-time employment, he worked a part-time evening position for 27 years at The United Way in Lafayette.
Owen’s southern roots went deep, and he was a die-hard fan of the University of Tennessee for all his years, and would later learn to love Indiana University basketball, though two of his children are loyal fans and graduates of Purdue University.
Owen appreciated the outdoors. As a teenager, he worked at the Lone Mountain Boat Dock on Norris Lake. While in school he played basketball, and later in life played recreational softball on industrial leagues with other men from National Homes. He enjoyed all types of fishing and had the privilege to experience saltwater fishing with his son-in-law, Craig. He enjoyed hunting from a young age. He had a passion for NASCAR and would talk about the day when he had an opportunity to race a stockcar at Henry’s Speedway. He enjoyed reading, boardgames, and Euchre along with many other card games.
He had such joy whenever he was around any of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and looked forward to the times when he helped coach them in baseball.
He had a love for his family and would ‘encourage’ his wife Dorothy, on countless Saturdays, to fix a large meal usually consisting of soup beans, hoe cakes, fried potatoes, and salmon patties for the family to stop by for lunch and a visit.
Owen committed his life to Christ over 27 years ago and was a transformed man to all who knew him. He was a member of Church Alive where he served for years in many areas as a volunteer. He received the ‘Eagle Award’ for outstanding service. His relaxed ‘Southern Hospitality’ will always be remembered. He would help anyone in need and was quick to encourage others by telling them, ‘It’ll be alright’, as he would often state.
Owen is survived by his wife, Dorothy Lee Payne Mason and his children, Owen (Shelloy) Mason, Jr., Ronald (Dana) Mason, Joyce (Craig) Haas, Katrina (Tom) Summer, 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Owen was preceded in death by his parents, Bern and Lucy Mason, and siblings, Audrey Ruth Lynch, Junior Bern Mason, Ethyl Lynn (Peggy) Dotson, Boyd Mason, Robert Mason, Eva Jane Chittum, Betty Sue Archer, and Billi Jean Robinson.
Friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 1 p.m. Friday, July 16, 2021 at Church Alive (2401 South 100 West Lafayette, IN 47909); his son, Owen P. Mason Jr. to officiate. Interment to follow in Meadow View Cemetery, Lafayette.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Owen’s name to Church Alive.
Share memories and online condolences at www.clapperfuneralservices.com
