Donald L. Mason

Donald L. Mason was born on April 26, 1931 in Oak Park, IL. He passed away on February 12, 2019.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Margaret Mason and his first wife, Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Ruth, and four daughters, Jean Mason, Barbara O’Connor (Jim), Linda Bohman (Ted), and Kristen Hauck (Tegan). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Madeline and Isabelle O’Connor and Jacob and Katie Hauck; his brother, Jim Mason (Sandy) and their children, Chad Mason, Elizabeth Roosinck and Stefanie Murphy; cousins, Alan Chapel (Carol) and family, and Ronnie Chapel; brothers-in-law, William Fair (Carol), Donald Fair (Sharon), David Fair (Alice); sister-in-law, Linda Rogers (Jim).
Donald served during the Korean War at Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, TX, and later graduated from the University of Michigan with a BA in History in 1956 and MPA in Local Government in 1959. He remained in local government for 41 years, serving in various administrative and financial positions in Ann Arbor, Southgate, and Trenton. He was City Manager of Cadillac for 12 years, Assistant City Administrator for Fiscal Services in Southfield, and returned to the City of Ann Arbor as Assistant City Administrator and later as acting City Administrator until appointed City Manager of Wyoming in 1991. He retired as City Manager of Wyoming in 2000. After retiring in Wyoming he continued to serve as the city’s appointment to the RAPID’s Board of Directors and later as Chairperson of the Housing Commission. He was a life member of the Elks and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #4362 in Wyoming.
Donald was a loyal alumnus of the University of Michigan and a very strong supporter of its football program, having had season tickets for over 15 years. Watching and attending football and basketball games in Ann Arbor for many years was the joy of his life in the fall and winter seasons. He played golf (or tried to) all his life, and was a life-long fisherman and hunter. Donald and Ruth traveled to London, Vienna, Germany, the Danube on a river cruise, and Alaska on a land and sea cruise. They also traveled to Budapest, where his grandparents lived as children. Out of all of their travels, Paris was their favorite place, going to the Louvre, attending Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral, and having lunch in the Eiffel Tower.
Besides travel, Donald enjoyed hunting with his brother, Jim and cousin, Alan and family. Fishing in Lake Erie, Canada and the Big and Little Manistee Rivers were all special trips. Golfing, fishing and hunting kept him busy all year long as he enjoyed the outdoors and all the seasons.
A special thanks to some important people in Donald’s life: Harry Bohn (Mona), who was his best friend in high school and still is today; Ed and Ginnie Edwardson, Doug and Vickie Hoekstra, and Jerry and Linda Mears became their best friends since retiring in 2000. Ed and Donald spent a lot of time fishing, attending U of M football games and enjoying good “Manhattans” when the occasion called for it around 4:00 pm. Ed and Doug volunteered to drive Donald to the doctor and other places during his illness. They were special friends indeed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Monday, February 18, 2019 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 4101 Clyde Park Ave SW, Wyoming.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 17, 2019 from 2-4 pm and 6-7:30 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4031 Clyde Park Ave. SW, Wyoming.  A Vigil will be held at 7:30 pm on Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Donald’s name to Faith Hospice or Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.