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| Samuel I. Mason |
He graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1951. He was an avid student attending FSCC, PSU, and the Judicial College of Reno, NV. He married Lora E. Dryer on October 30, 1954, in Ft. Scott.
He worked for the railroad in his early years. At the age of 31, Sam became the youngest District Magistrate Judge in Kansas.
He would continue to serve in this capacity until retiring in 1996 after 33 years. His accomplishments include: Jaycee’s President in 1965, was instrumental in starting a yearly rodeo and building the rodeo grounds, started a boy’s home by forming a board and raising funds, formed the Tri-Valley board, formed SEK Mental Health board in five counties, the executive director for SEKCAP, President of the FSHS Alumni Association, President of Administrative Board of the Methodist Church, co-writer of legislation for Meals on Wheels and Transportation in Kansas, President of the Probate Judges Association of Kansas, program director of SEK Correctional Facility and formed the board for CASA.
Several awards include: Jaycee of the year, Boss of the year by the Jaycees, Outstanding non-Attorney Judge in the United States, Mental Health Board for 16 years, served on the committee that wrote the forms on Conservative and Guardianships of the State of Kansas, interviewed for Secretary of Corrections by Governor Finney, and was Vice-President of the Highway 69 Association. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife Lora of the home; three daughters, Terri Pence and husband Patrick, Pittsburg, KS, Lizabeth Mason Finley and husband Michael, Altamont, KS, and Samie Kay Payne and husband Thomas, Nixa, MO; two sisters, Peggy Davis and husband Ralph, Ft. Scott, and Bonnie Taylor and husband Ron, Bronson, KS; six grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Rev. Steve Cole will conduct funeral services at 3:00 PM Wednesday, September 6th, at the First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Pleasant View (Large) Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM until service time at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Honorable Samuel I. and Lora Mason Scholarship Fund, which may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Survivors include his wife Lora of the home; three daughters, Terri Pence and husband Patrick, Pittsburg, KS, Lizabeth Mason Finley and husband Michael, Altamont, KS, and Samie Kay Payne and husband Thomas, Nixa, MO; two sisters, Peggy Davis and husband Ralph, Ft. Scott, and Bonnie Taylor and husband Ron, Bronson, KS; six grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Rev. Steve Cole will conduct funeral services at 3:00 PM Wednesday, September 6th, at the First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Pleasant View (Large) Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM until service time at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Honorable Samuel I. and Lora Mason Scholarship Fund, which may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
