Gary Cooper Mason Sr.

Gary Cooper Mason, Sr., 84, of Chincoteague Island, VA passed away peacefully on August 25th 2021 with his loved ones by his side.
Born on Chincoteague Island, VA on Dec 6th 1936 to the late Lee Mason and the late Margaret Virginia Cathell Mason, Gary was a larger than life figure dedicated to those he lived amongst.  
Gary had three great loves in his life; his family, his hometown island and the Kiwanis Club, where he served in numerous capacities.   He served and loved all three proudly.  In return, Gary was awarded the Leonard Buddy Burton Business Person of the year in 1993 and then the John White Shields Citizen of the Year Award in 2019 and many Kiwanis Club awards including 50 years of service.   Gary never wanted accolades and getting him there to the ceremony had to be a stealth worthy top secret operation but the expression on his face was priceless when his name was called to accept the award.  
Gary was part owner and operator of Mason Oil Company for many years along with his brother.  A business which was started by their father.  Gary could be found delivering oil, greeting customers while sharing the latest news or a joke or pumping gas.  He never shirked hard work and he worked right on up until the end.  
Besides his parents, Gary was pre-deceased in death by his first wife, Dale Mason & his son, Gary Cooper Mason, Jr.  and sister-in-law, Barbara Jean Mason.
He is survived by his loving wife, Paula Mason; daughter Lisa Julio and her husband, Chuck; daughter Loretta Mason; Sons Billy Reed, Jr and his wife Lisa; Aaron Quillen and his wife Alicia; and Chris Quillen and his wife Tara. A brother, Tyrone Mason.   Grandchildren Troy Mason and his wife Chantelle, Mason Karafa, Megan Joseph and her husband Jorshe, Rachel Harley and her husband Matt , Rebekah Leonard and her husband Hunter, Billy Reed, III, Cameron Mason, Logan Richardson and 5 great grandchildren. 
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 27, 2021 at 7 to 9 pm at Salyer Funeral Home, Inc. on Chincoteague Island, VA.
Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 2 PM at Union Baptist Church on Chincoteague Island, VA with Rev. Kevin Eley, officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Gary's honor to Chincoteague Kiwanis Club PO Box 23, Chincoteague Island, Va 23336 or CVFC PO Box 691 Chincoteague Island, VA 23336.  Services entrusted to Salyer Funeral Home, Inc. on Chincoteague Island, VA.  Condolences may be made online at www.salyerfh.com.

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