Andrew Hugh Mason

Funeral services for Andrew Hugh Mason, 64, of Panama City, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007, in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Jack A. Hankins, Emmaus United Methodist Church, will preside. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at the funeral home. He passed away Friday, November 23, 2007 at a local nursing home after a courageous battle with cancer.
Andy was born Nov. 20, 1943, in Waynesville, MO. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Linda Mason, of Panama City; parents Frances and Charles Mason, and one sister Mary Mason, all of Dallas, Texas; mother-in-law Juanita Riddick, and sister-in-law, Carla Bauer, and her husband David Bauer, all of Rogers, Ark.; brother-in-law, Carl L. Riddick, Oklahoma City, OK; aunt and uncle, Virginia and Howard DelCour, Springfield, MO; cousin, Julie DelCour Cleary, Tulsa, OK, two nephews and a niece, and two grand-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Hugh and Opal Cochran of Waynesville, MO and his father-in-law, Earl Riddick of Rogers, Ark.
Andy and Linda were married in Nov. 1, 1969, in Waynesville, MO, where both were physical education teachers and coaches. Andy worked in education in Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Florida, last teaching at Everitt Middle School in Panama City. He was a larger than life figure to students, making his classes educational and fun. A long-time coach of football, wrestling, track and tennis, Andy took a particular interest in children with personal challenges. Like his grandfather and uncle, Andy became a member of the Masonic Lodge in Waynesville, MO. He was a Shriner, serving in the Shaddai Motorcyle CO., and was a charter member of the Clown Unit, entertaining seriously ill children.
Andy grew up in Waynesville, MO, and in Pinckneyville, Ill. He excelled as an athlete and was named to the Illinois All-State Football team. He attended the University of Missouri on a football scholarship, playing for coach Dan Devine on his championship Tigers. Andy enlisted in the U.S. Army and won a European military boxing championship while serving in Germany. Andy received a bachelor's degree from Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss., a master's degree and a specialist certification in administration from Western State College in Gunnison, Colo. Andy and Linda were soulmates, never turning down an adventure. Together they taught in Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma, Lousiana and Florida. Andy left education and to start a business and become a stock broker. He had a great interest in antiques and collected and marketed unusual and historical papers. Andy's beloved dachshund Starr was with his faithful companion.
Honorary pall bearers will include Shaddai Nobles and the Clown Unit. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shaddai Transportation Fund. The family would like to send a special thank you to Dr. Flynn and his entire staff for their excellent care.

Wilson Funeral Home