Dick Bradford Mason III, also known as Rip in his younger years, was born on April 12, 1938, in Tulsa, OK. He passed away with his family by his side on May 11, 2022, after a brief illness. While Dick was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he grew up in many places since his father was in the oil exploration business including Jackson, MS where he was a member of the first 6th grade graduating class of St. Andrews Episcopal School. After graduating from Arlington Heights High School in Ft. Worth, TX, Dick attended the University of Oklahoma where he participated in the ROTC program, was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, and majored in Geology. After graduating from OU in 1960, Dick served two nonwartime years in South Korea with the U.S. Army achieving the rank of Captain. When he returned home from his military service, Dick went into the oil business working for Amoco in Houston, TX. There he fell head over heels for Bettye West of Yazoo City, MS. After they married on August 6, 1966, they lived in Houston, TX eventually moved to Jackson, MS where Dick worked for Hughes & Hughes Oil Company as Executive Vice President. He founded Mason Energy Corporation in 1988, was a former president of the Capital Club, chosen as treasurer of the National Landman's Association, and also served in various leadership positions in several oil & gas associations. Dick had many loves, and his family was second to none except perhaps for his love of golf. Dick relished playing golf with his friends at the Country Club of Jackson and especially his Thursday group. He shot his age on several occasions, made 5 hole-in-ones, and won tournaments in every decade of his life before his 80th birthday. He was also an avid fisherman who cherished being out on the water. In his later years, Dick loved traveling the world with Bettye to places like Alaska, Spain, Greece, Norway, Russia, South Africa, and most recently the Grand Canyon, just to name a few. His Christian faith was always ever-present in his daily life as he was a devoted member of Christ United Methodist Church and the New Yorkers Sunday School Class. Dick was also known for his quick wit, dry sense of humor, and funny sayings. He loved to tell people he was the luckiest man to ever live and always wanted his positive attitude to be a light for others. His motto in life was "Do Right."
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Kathryn and Dick B. Mason, Jr. of Tulsa, OK. Dick is survived by his wife of 55 years, Bettye West Mason; children, Melanie Mason Jordan (David) of Dallas, TX, Amanda Mason Johnson (Jay) of Birmingham, AL, Dick Bradford Mason IV (Caroline) of Jackson, MS; sister, Carla Mason Gilbert; brother-in-law, Bob West (Fran); nine grandchildren who lovingly referred to him as G-Daddy are Bradford, Meredith, and Dabney Jordan; Britton, Mason, and Alden Johnson; Ashley, Mary Kathryn, and Allison Mason; and numerous nieces & nephews.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt gratitude to Dick's caregivers in his last days: Barbra Brooks, Sammy, Cathy, and Robin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick's memory to: The Palmer Home (https://palmerhome.org/) and French Camp (https://frenchcamp.org/)
A celebration of Dick's life will be held on Friday, May 27th, at Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson, MS. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 with the service at 11:00.