December 13, 1946 – February 4, 2025

Larry Lee Mason, 78, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at his home.

Born on December 13, 1946 to John and Phyllis Mason of Des Moines, Iowa , he moved with his family to Carlisle, Iowa, the summer of 1958. He graduated from Carlisle High school in 1964. He then attended Cedarville College in Ohio for one year, where he participated in choral touring groups.

Because of his fascination with aviation, and following the example of his father’s and uncles’ service during World War II, he enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of nineteen. He proudly served his country for over 25 years with overseas tours in Germany, Guam, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines as well as many stateside assignments.  He was most proud of being a Vietnam veteran.

In September 1976 he met his wife Marilyn at Airport Baptist Church in Des Moines and they were married on December 4, 1976. The following years included Air Force assignments at Altus AFB (Oklahoma), Clark AFB (Philippines), Hill AFB (Utah), and Sheppard AFB (Texas).

After retirement in 1991, he completed his Bachelor’s degree with Wayland Baptist University, attended Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, then began working for Erickson Air Crane in Medford, Oregon. In 1996 he moved back to Tulsa where he began a career as a mechanic with American Airlines where he worked until retiring in 2017.

In his moves across the country, he put a high priority on church membership and service, and volunteered as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and choir member in various churches throughout the years. He was currently a member of Tulsa Bible Church.

Larry was a family man. He was a proud protector and provider for his wife and four daughters, whom he loved fiercely. He fully embraced his role as a girl dad, learning to endure frills, bows, and lots of emotions. He wouldn’t admit it, but he even loved watching rom-coms with his girls. Larry was an avid bookworm who passed on his love of reading to his daughters, and he often sat and read books aloud in the evenings. All his girls fondly remember him reading the entire Chronicles of Narnia series aloud.

Larry had a wicked sense of humor with impeccable comedic timing.  You could tell when he was getting ready to tell a good joke by the twinkle in his eye and the grin on his face. He passed on his humor to his daughters and grandkids.

Since 2000, Larry proudly wore the title of “Grandpa”. He loved holding each one of his grandkids as babies, and always watched the chaos of family gatherings with a funny little smile, marveling at the beauty of his growing family. He was looking forward to his granddaughter Katie’s wedding to Jonah Buss this March.

Larry’s faith in Christ was the foundation for his life.  He accepted Jesus as his Savior at a young age, but it wasn’t until a motorcycle accident in the early 70’s left him hospitalized with a broken hip that he truly began to follow the Lord passionately.  He loved studying the Bible, teaching Sunday School at his church, and encouraging others with what he learned.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Phyllis (Epps) Mason, Jr., and nephew Matthew Mason, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Larry is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marilyn Peters Mason, daughters Jennie (David) Smith (Overland Park, Kansas), Joanna Mason (Tulsa), Jaime Mason (Tulsa), Jillian (Mark) Hopkins (Knoxville, Tennessee), nine grandchildren: Justin, Allison, Katelyn, Megan, Jordan, Lauren, Eliana, Makayla, and Josephine. Siblings: Carol (Doug) Watson (Iowa), Jim (Linda) Mason (Iowa), Beth (Nick) Adams (Iowa) and many other relatives.

Visitation is Friday, February 14th, 3-6pm at Floral Haven Funeral Home (6500 S. 129th E. Ave, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma) Graveside service will be Saturday, February 15th, 10am at Floral Haven and is open to friends and family, followed by a Memorial Service at 11am at Tulsa Bible Church (5838 S. Sheridan Rd., Tulsa, Oklahoma)

In lieu of flowers, tribute donations can be made in Larry’s honor to The Coffee Bunker in Tulsa, Oklahoma to support the work they do to help military veterans.  https://coffeebunker.org/