James Lowry Mason

James L. Mason of Ellwood City passed away on Monday, August 8, 2022 at AHN Wexford Hospital. He was 74 years old.

Jim was born on August 28, 1947 in Grand Mound, Iowa to Reginald and Inez Mason.  Jim proudly served in the Air Force after receiving his BA from Western State College of Colorado. On August 16, 1971 he married the love of his life, Ann Clark Mason.  In addition to family and faith, Education and learning was paramount in Jim’s life. He earned a Master of Education in both Developmental Reading and School Management from Loyola College.  He taught English, journalism and photography at Harford County Public Schools from 1973 to 1999.  In addition to his teaching duties, Jim served as a basketball coach and high school newspaper advisor. In 1997-1998, Jim was awarded Harford County Teacher of the Year and was a finalist for Maryland Teacher of the Year.  Jim rounded out his beloved teaching career as professor at Harford County Community College where he taught English, public speaking and journalism from 2002-2009. Prior to teaching at the college level, Jim was Manager of the Office of Public Information for Harford County, Maryland. In addition to teaching and working in local government, Jim also worked in media throughout his professional life. Jim hosted the television program Business Beat on CNN Headline News and Harford County Government Monthly and served as a part-time news anchor on WGAL-TV in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for many years. He also had a career in radio as a reporter at WCBM-AM in Baltimore.  Service was important to Jim. He was a member of Calvin Presbyterian Church, where he was an elder and very passionate about leading the mission committee.  He was also a past President of the Ellwood City Rotary Club, where he served as editor of the monthly newsletter.

Jim is survived by his wife of 51 years Ann Mason of Ellwood City and his three children David, Kelly and Greg as well as their respective spouses Kelly Masterson Mason and Adam Myers. Jim had seven grandchildren whom he loved very much: Zoe, Garrett and Quinn Mason, and Morgan, Drake, Winston and Emily Myers. Jim is also survived by his sister Tammy Mason and two brothers, Mark Mason and Steve Mason, as well as Steve’s wife Charley.

Friends will be received on Saturday, August 13, 2022 from 11:00 AM until the time of the funeral service at 12 Noon at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 615 Crescent Avenue, Ellwood City with Rev. Sean Brubaker, celebrant.  Interment will take place in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Joseph A. Tomon, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 97 Grim Avenue, Ellport.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions can be made in Jim’s name to either Calvin Presbyterian Church or the Ellwood City Rotary Club.