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From Steve Trapp:
Jim Mason died following a struggle with cancer on November 2, 2014. I believe he died in a hospital in Missoula, but I do not have his obituary. Although Jim and I had been long time friends, I regret that I was unable to travel to attend his services. He and his wife lived on their farm near Hamilton, Montana. His late wife notified me and told me that Jim had enjoyed making contact with many of his friends at LCHS.
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Barry Fancher
March 13, 1945-Nov. 1, 2014
FLORENCE – Always a cowboy in the sense of never wanting to follow other's rules, Jim left the Earth quickly without acquiescence to a cancer that was threatening to control him. Born in Spokane, Washington, on March 13, 1945, to Bertha and George Mason, Jim was the youngest child by many years. Jim idolized his older brother and was respectful of his sister. Raised in the streets of Spokane, his first and lifelong love was cars. Auto racing, old trucks, hot rods, Fords, motorcycles, El Caminos, four-wheelers, anything with a motor and wheels held joy for him. He spoke the language of auto with anyone who would listen. He could identify the make, model and year of almost any vehicle at highway speed. He lived his life in pedal-to-the-metal fashion.
Following a bit of a rough time, Jim enlisted in the Army at 18. During his time stationed at Fort Ord, Jim learned the trade of silk screening. Always a doodler and a cartoonist, his love of art led him to complete a degree in fine art at Whitworth University. He practiced his art throughout his life. His final project was a T-shirt design for the Powderhouse Dressage Show. After completing a master's degree in counseling, Jim did an art therapy internship with Janie Rhyne in Santa Cruz. He then completed the work to be a registered art therapist.
In 1985, Jim moved with his wife Melinda to the Bitterroot Valley. He loved the valley, the river and the many friends he made there. It was his home and he fathered a child and built a house there. He was able to spend the last night of his life in his own bed with his wife and his dog.
Jim's final career was as a warrior against the ravages of chemical dependency. He believed that any person deserved the opportunity for treatment. It became impossible to go anywhere in the valley with Jim without someone thanking him for his work with their son, sister, father, daughter or themselves. He never gave up on or lost hope over a person's ability to achieve recovery, and he demonstrated that hope in even the most difficult of circumstances.
They say there is a rainbow bridge and when you pass over it, all of the animals you have known and loved will be waiting for you. There will surely be a troop of them eager to greet Jim. One of his proudest moments was showing his Arabian mare DE Sweet Harmony in a dressage show in Missoula. For the past 20 years he lessoned regularly to improve his horsemanship.
Jim leaves behind his wife, partner and best friend, Melinda. The children he was so proud of, Greg and June Mason, Angie Mason and Sue Darcy, Willi and Bob Prince; his grandchildren, Xam, Ashlee, Eric, Max, J.C., Jodi and John; and great-grandbaby, Tulsi. His mother by marriage, Eleanor Cantrell; sister-in-law, Mickie Carvey, Don Carvey and a handful of loving nieces and nephews and their children. He is missed by His loyal companions, Maisey, Dixie, Cinderella, Mo and many dear friends. Jim was grateful for the friendship and support of the Wild River Coffee Group, the professional support of Dr. Furrow, the Community Medical Center Cancer Center, CMC Emergency Room and ICU staff. Memorials may be made to the Corvallis Middle School Band Program, P.O. Box 700, Corvallis, MT 59828.
A memorial service celebrating Jim's life will be held at the Assembly of God Church in Hamilton at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8.