Lt, Col. Mark Mason, USAF ret., age 79 of Gunter, Texas passed away Novmeber 8, 2004 in Celina, Texas. He was born June 9, 1925 in Portsmouth, Ohio to Cecil and Elizabeth (Watson) Mason. Lt. Col. Mason served his country in the U.S. Air Force during both WW II in the European Theatre and the Korean War. He married Ruby Arnold on April 6, 1946 in Sherman, Texas. Mark was a member of the Church of Christ . After finishing high school, he entered the Army then later transferred to the Air Force. He was a radar bombadier on B-17’s in England in WW II where he completed his missions then returned to the United States and later became a pilot. He also served in the Korean War. When he was released from active duty, he attended and graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Engineering. He was employed by General Electric for several years and later went to work for the United States Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C. He retired from the United States Air Force Reserves and the U.S. Department of Transportation in 1985. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ruby of Gunter, Texas; daughters, Karen Fruzia and husband Terry, of Dallas, TX, Sheila Miller and husband John, Watauga, TX, Sharon Holland and husband Robbie, Fairfax, VA; two sisters, Audrey Swetnam and husband Joseph of Ashville, Ohio, Mary Lou Phillips and husband Dennis of Plain City, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Michael Piontek, Anthony and Laura Fruzia, Holly, Robert “Chip”, Austin and Heidi Holland; three great grandchildren, Mark Fruzia, Michael and Amanda Farthing. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM., Wednesday, November 10, 2004 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel in Celina, Texas with Brother Perry Kemplin officiating. Interment will follow at Cottage Hill Cemetery in Celina. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:30 P.M. Tuesday, November 09, 2004 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel in Celina, Texas.