H.R. No. 1464
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A full and productive life drew to a close with the
passing of James Rutledge Mason of Waxahachie on March 31, 2011, at
the age of 96; and
WHEREAS, Born in Biardstown in Lamar County on July 13, 1914,
Mr. Mason was the son of Luther Emerson Mason and Lila Mae Mason; he
graduated from Paris High School in 1931 and attended Paris Junior
College before completing his bachelor's degree in business
administration at The University of Texas at Austin; on June 1,
1940, he married the former Dora Frances Whitehead, and they later
became the parents of two children, James and Lila Jean; Mr. and
Mrs. Mason shared a fulfilling relationship of more than 60 years
before her passing in 2001; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mason served his country in the United States
Army during World War II; a sergeant (E-5), he was stationed in the
Pacific theater and landed on Okinawa on April 3, 1945; he served
there until the end of the war and received numerous commendations,
among them the Rifle and Carbine Expert Medal, the World War II
Victory Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two
battle stars for the Philippines and Okinawa campaigns; and
WHEREAS, A distinguished member of the banking industry for
four decades, Mr. Mason began his career as a teller at Paris
National Bank in 1936; he was later employed by Liberty State Bank
and National City Bank in Dallas; after earning his graduate
certificate from the American Institute of Banking with a major in
investments in 1955, he went on to receive his diploma with the
first graduating class of the Southwestern Graduate School of
Banking at Southern Methodist University; he retired in 1976 as
vice president of Republic National Bank of Dallas; and
WHEREAS, This civic-minded Texan was deeply committed to his
community; in addition to volunteering for Meals on Wheels, the
Baylor Hospital of Waxahachie Auxiliary, and Pleasant Manor Living
Center, he supported such charities as the Salvation Army, the USO,
and Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and he and his wife worked
together with great energy and dedication in behalf of political
campaigns; moreover, Mr. Mason was a valued member of Central
Presbyterian Church and served his faith as a Sunday school
teacher, member of the session, and treasurer; he was also a life
member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars; his
hobbies included fishing and hunting, and he was a charter fan of
the Texas Rangers; and
WHEREAS, James Mason made a positive difference in the lives
of others, and those who were privileged to share in his love and
friendship will forever treasure their memories of his kindness,
compassion, and devotion; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of James Rutledge
Mason and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family:
to his son, Captain James Rutledge Mason, Jr., (United States Navy,
Retired), and his wife, Martha; to his daughter, Lila Jean Mason
Blackwell, and her husband, Garry; to his grandchildren, James
Rutledge Mason III, Garry W. Blackwell, Jr., Jennifer Gail
Chauncey, Stephen Mason Blackwell, and Jeffrey Malvin Blackwell; to
his great-grandchildren, Reagan, Reeves, Jessica, and Thatcher
Blackwell, James Rutledge Mason IV and William Mason, and Brooke,
Mason, and Parker Chauncey; and to his other relatives and friends;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of James
Rutledge Mason.
Pitts
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1464 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 12, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House