Bev and the Mason Family

Like many others, my memories go back to my early days of Bethany Baptist

Church. Both of your parents are what Christians people are about. I think everone looked up to and respected the way they conducted their daily lives. Charlie will be missed by many. Phyllis and my prayers are with the whole family.

Please accept our deepest sympathy. Charlie was a dear friend of my father's (Art Miller). He was in my parents wedding and also played basketball with my dad at Muscatine High School. I know my parents had a special place in their heart for Charlie.

Jim and I remember Charlie from Bethany and Bev too. We had such joy and laughter with the Masons. I remember when I directed the Bethany choir for a short time that I had to wait until Charlie and Claude quit talking during practice to continue singing through the songs. He had such a wonderful voice and I loved it when he spoke in church. He had such a gift for getting to the heart of the matter.

Love to Bev and the family. We haven't seen you in years, but you were so special to us when we lived in Iowa City.

To the Mason Family, I am truly sorry for your loss. Growing up in Iowa City, I fondly recall Charley's genuine enthusiasm and love for sports and the athletes/kids who played. I played baseball and basketball with Jeff and Jim and worked with Julie at Hy-Vee. Your dad will be missed.

James Wilson and Family

Jim you and your entire family have my deepest and sincere sympathies on the loss of your father . I have known your dad for many years ,what a very nice guy.please know that he is no longer in pain . You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Dear Mason Family --

I am sorry for your loss. Dr. Mason was a great man! I truly respected him and appreciated the fact that I got to know him and his family!

We extend our sincere condolences to the Mason family. Charlie had a very strong influence in our lives while we were students at the University of Iowa. At that time (the early 70's) he was teaching the college-age class at Bethany Baptist, and he and Bev were such loving examples of dedicated Christ-followers.

I was in Charlie's College and Career Sunday School class at Bethany. As a young single RN in Iowa City, I met many young people and appreciated Charlie's teaching from the Bible. He was truly a man of faith and was an encourager. I also remember when my dad died, and my mom decided to move to Iowa City. This college professor and man of God was there to help us move Mom into town. What a loving and caring person. I loved to hear him sing his bass part whether in the choir or congregational singing. For a short time, I served with him on the leadership team of the church . His comments were always well thought out and you knew he had held the team and our church up in prayer. When he was no longer able to attend the church, I missed him and his leadership. Thanks, Mason family for sharing Charlie with us.

My thoughts and prayers are with Bev and the family. I have a very clear memory of Charlie at a Bagge reunion in about 1995 in Colorado. He gave a devotional to the group on Sunday morning. He was winsome and engaging as he spoke. I remembering being impressed at his very clear communication of the gospel, and his ability to explain scripture and apply it to everyone at the family reunion. He was an encouragement to all that day.

I was very sad to learn that Charlie Mason passed from this life to the next. He was an extraordinarily fine person that I, my wife Betty, and many others have fond memories of and will remember as an important positive force in our lives. The list of those he touched include countless students at the University of Iowa who he helped through financial aid and advice. As Dean of the Graduate College from 1991-2001, Charlie was my valued "partner" in the administration and advocacy of Graduate Education; his warmth and ability to interact with people at all levels across the State of Iowa was key to his success in garnering support for graduate programs and graduate students. In short, Charlie was "the public face" of the Graduate College because of his charisma, deep understanding and deep, abiding love fore the University and the State, great integrity and high standards, and contagious enthusiasm for life in all its manifestations.

Our sympathies go out to Jeff, Jim and families. Sorry for the loss of your father. It sounds like he was a GREAT guy and will be missed by many.

Hugs and Prayers

I'm sorry to hear of Charlie's passing. He was always someone I looked up to at Bethany...enjoyed hearing him sing in church. He and Bev even made it to Fairfield for my high school graduation party...that meant the world to me! He will be greatly missed by many people. Sending prayers to his family and friends.

Heartfelt sympathy to Charlie's family. I was his first full time secretary after he became the new Director of Student Financial Aid in the late fall of 1960. My name was Linda Schoenthaler then. We worked together for almost 4 years as that new department grew. How lucky I was to work for such a kind and gentle person. He was always in good spirits and never said an angry word to me. I have the most fond memories, and consider myself so fortunate to have worked with Dr. Mason. The world has lost a really fine gentleman. My condolences to Bev and the whole family. With love, Linda Rotman

Thank you for sending this info. I was delighted to read of Charlie's history, much of it I did not know or had forgotten. I am immpressed and blassed to be related.

Oh my goodness! I could fill up several pages of memories of Charlie! He & Bev were good friends of my parents, Ottis & Millie Sees. My husband, Jim, and I consider them good friends also. Charlie & Bev were a tremdous influence on me as a young Christian wife in the sixties. The wonderful example they were has had a lasting effect on the woman I am today.

Today I have been remembering many hilarious times my parents had with the Masons, Williams & Walters.

On one of Bev & Charlie's anniversaries, these "friends" took their pajamas and tied them all together and put them back in the dresser drawers. Another prank was after one of their "parties", Charlie & my Dad put a concrete block under the axle of the William's car. So, when they came out and started their car, it wouldn't go anywhere. Of course, they were all watching from a distance.

I loved Charlie's voice when he lead the music on Sunday morning at Bethany Baptist Church. And I always enjoyed his commentary on Iowa sports. I regret that we were not able to be at the Bethany Reunion a few years ago.

My fondest memory, however, is when I turned twenty-one and was getting ready to register to vote. I ran into Charlie in the hallway at church. I asked him how could I know weather to register as a Republican or a Democrat. He said, "That's easy, you can't be a Christian and be a Democrat!" I will miss being able to call him from time to time and talk politics.

I have lots more stories but this is enough for now.

I look forward to seeing him again in Heaven. I hope he and my parents are having a good time together right now. They are probably planning some pranks!

To Jeff, Julie & Jim: " Your Dad was a much loved man".

Dear Bev, I am thinking of you and remembering old better times we were a part of. Charlie was, indeed, a special person who humbly served his God. I remember seeing him on his bike, tooling around town. I pray you can feel the arms of our Lord around you with the comfort only He can provide.

Marjie

I am sorry to hear of Charlie passing. To me he was never the academician, but always the trusted , wiser, elder, that I grew up respecting. I remember him being always present at church whether moderating services or singing a solo or in a group.

Jeff and family I am sorry for your loss. You will all be in our prayers. God Bless You All.

Keeping your family lifted up in prayer, Julie. I remember your dad & mom being faithful fans at all your kids events, along with my parents. We had very proud grandpa's! Rob and I are unable to attend the visitation or service but will be asking God to continue giving you strength and blessing you with wonderful memories of your dad. Rejoicing with you all as he has been welcomed into his Heavenly home, also...PTL!

Love & blessings,

Tammy & Rob Negrete

I played basketball and baseball with Jeff in high school and spent a lot of time at the Mason house, including Friday nights after our basketball games. I always felt so welcomed there, thanks to Charlie and Bev. Charlie was always so friendly, kind and supportive. A great man.

I have the upmost respect for Charlie Mason. Our families became entwined in 1959. I have known Charlie for almost my entire life. Our families shared joys and sorrows in our neighborhood, church and schools. Charlie was a humble servant of God.

The Walters children are indebted to Charlie for writing numerous letters of recommendation for us when we applied to college. While he probably effortlessly composed letters for my two younger sisters, I imagine he relied heavily on careful wording and his creative writing skills to complete the letters for my brother and me. Charlie knew what to say, and how to say it.

My world is a better place having known Charlie and the Mason family. To Bev, Jeff, Julie, Jimmy and your families: I pray that you may find joy in your sorrow.

Blessings, Carla Walters McMillan

Charlie was a vital and vibrant part of Bethany Baptist Church in Iowa City where I grew up. He was always ready to assist in any way and his musical talent was a blessing to us all. Every church should be so fortunate as to have a "Charlie" in their midst. Prayers and sympathy to the whole family. I suspect that Charlie and dad have already spent time together catching up.

My sympathies to Charlie's family. They don't come any better than Charlie. Working with him at the UI was as good as it gets. No one was more passionate about advancing the UI or more effective at telling its story across the state for so many years with his "Iowa Update" slide show and narrative. Thank you, Charlie, and rest in peace. Tom Bauer