Robert “Bob” Earl Mason, 89 of Yulee, FL, passed away on June 17, 2023 after a courageous nine year battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. His loving wife, Jane, was by his side.

Born on October 25, 1933 in Mexico, NY, to the late Francis Mason and Mary Ashley, Bob grew up in Mexico, New York. He attended Mexico Academy. Bob was always a hard worker. He worked on the farms of neighbors, bailing hay, picking apples, shoveling snow and delivering newspapers on his paper route.

He enlisted in the United States Navy on May 1, 1952. He was proud to have earned his GED while stationed aboard the USS Roosevelt and to have served his county for 23 years encompassing the entire Vietnam War and was a life member of the VFW of Millington, Tennessee. During his 23 year Naval career, Bob worked as an Aviation Electronics Technician.

A natural athlete, Bob immersed himself in many aspects of Navy athletics, serving as a coach, umpire, and referee for intramural sports. While stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, he coached all Navy women’s and men’s teams. He retired from the Navy on June 11, 1975 at Naval Air Station Memphis as an Aviation Electronics Technician Senior Chief. Bob attended Memphis State University after retirement where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education.

After moving to Camden County, GA, with his wife who was assigned to USS Simon Lake AS-33; he was honored to have been selected as the first Athletic Director at the Naval Submarine Base in Kings Bay. In this role, Bob promoted community relations throughout southeast Georgia and profoundly impacted his community by organizing golf, basketball, and softball tournaments; as well as organizing 5K and 10K races. He also hosted Special Olympics events for the state of Georgia while in this position. Bob worked as Athletic Director for 16 years and retired in December of 2000.

A man of faith and an active member in his church, Bob taught religious education classes, vacation bible school, served as an usher at Mass, and was a member of the Parish Council and Men’s Club. One of Bob’s favorite activities with the Men’s Club was participating in their Amelia Island Shrimp Fest Booth during Shrimp Fest weekend. Outside of church, Bob loved playing golf, reading Louis L’Amour western novels, and talking about the Civil War to any willing listener. He had a heart for animal adoptions and loved his many rescued dogs and cats.

Bob and his wife, Jane, were married 46 years. Together, some of their favorite memories included running in Disney marathons, biking 150miles to help raise money for MS, riding motorcycles, and participating in Military Retiree Golf Tournament in Myrtle Beach, SC. They were avid followers of the Atlanta Braves and the Jacksonville Jaguars; however, Bob’s favorite team was the Dallas Cowboys.
Bob was predeceased by his parent and his brothers, Donald and Phillip and sisters Shirley and Ethel, and the mother of his children, Jamie Carolyn Spain.

He leaves behind his wife, Jane Mason of Yulee, FL. His children, Cheri Dye (Jim), Cynthia Edwards (John), and Carolyn James (Denis), and eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation for Bob Mason will be Sunday, June 25, 2023 from 2:00- 5:00PM at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home in Fernandina Beach, FL.

A funeral mass will be held on Monday, June 26, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Mission Church in Yulee, FL. He will be laid to rest at the Jacksonville National Cemetery at 1:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to Nassau County Animal Services in Yulee.