James “Jim” Mason, 67 years old of Brookville, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, August 26, 2023. Jim grew up in Guilford and was a member of the last graduating class of North Dearborn High School in 1973. As a young boy he was involved with 4-H and showed cows at the local fair. He continued his love for 4-H by teaching his children about animals and mentored them as they showed rabbits, chicken, goats, pigs, & sheep. Jim was known to lend a hand to anyone that needed help at the 4-H fair. Jim loved to garden and would share his bounty of sunflowers and succulents with those at the flea market in Brookville and Friendship. He loved the moments when children would show interest in his succulents and would take the time to explain how to propagate them. Jim had many people return year after year to Friendship so they could share stories of how their succulents continued to grow.
Jim was a masonry and started out as the hot carrier and moved his way up through the ranks. He may not have been a big man, but he was stronger than most and impressed many by lifting more pound for pound. Eventually he started his own company, Mason’s Masonry, which continued until 1997. Jim was proud to brick many of the homes in this area, including helping the youth group build the grotto outside St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Once Jim retired from brick laying, he worked at Batesville Farm & Tractor where he made some really good friends that came in to see him all the time. When Jim wasn’t working he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Watching Gunsmoke every day with his grandson became his favorite routine. He got to meet his granddaughter after her birth in June and only wished he had more time to spend with them.
Jim will be deeply missed by his wife, Mary, of 32 years; his children Timothy Mason, Jessica (Javier) Hernandez, and Daniel Mason; grandchildren Diego & Maria; siblings Lonnie Mason, Karen Hayslett, Bev (John) Bernert, Cathy Brandt, and Pam Brinker. He is preceded in death by his siblings Duke and Gary Mason, and parents Alice & Roy Mason.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Thursday, August 31 from 10:00am – 12:00pm at Andres-Wuestefeld Funeral Home at 25615 State Rt. 1, Guilford, IN 47022. Memorials can be made to 4-H or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Memorials will be accepted at the visitation or can be mailed to Andres-Wuestefeld Funeral Home. Family and friends are encouraged to leave condolences at