Mason McLoud's Obituary
Mason McLoud was an exceptional man who was respected and cared for by all who knew him. After a lengthy illness, Mason passed away at his home surrounded by family on October 27, 2023.
Mason William McLoud was born February 16, 1952, in Camden, New Jersey to James and Bessie Lydia McLoud as the fourth of eight children. After graduating from John F. Kennedy High School in Willingboro, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1970. His military service was a significant period of his life, marked by discipline, commitment, and honor. During this time, he welcomed his first child, Jennifer. After eight years of military service, Mason was honorably discharged in 1978 and transitioned to civilian life in Houston, Texas, where he began working at Motorola Service Center.
If you asked Mason, he would probably describe his Motorola employment as the gateway to what would become his universe, and it began in an Italian restaurant called Bellinos. There he first met Ms. Debbie Parker, who had a second job waitressing. Although he claimed it was his love of spaghetti and meatballs that brough him back almost every night, it was really the cute Arkansas girl waiting on tables that intrigued him. When she let it be known she was selling her vehicle Mason was quick to show interest, though he confessed during the test drive that he didn’t need a car. He just wanted a chance to spend time with her. That’s all, folks! She was smitten, and they were never apart again. They were married in Houston on February 13, 1981, and would later welcome son Parker and daughter Kaylin. With small children to raise, Debbie and Mason moved from Houston to Fayetteville, Debbie’s hometown, to be closer to family. Family was always Mason’s greatest source of joy, just as he was a great source of joy to his family. He was truly adored, known for being sharp, fun and downright hilarious.
Mason was an avid sports fan and especially loved Razorback baseball and football. As a long-time season ticket holder, he rarely missed a game. He was an involved sports dad and coached his children in their sports endeavors for the better part of a decade, even leading one of his baseball teams to a Little League Championship. When his children were grown, he stayed involved in Fayetteville Public Schools athletics by serving as a spotter for the Pressbox team for junior high and high school football programs for over 17 years.
Well known as a dog lover, Mason enjoyed the friendship of family dogs Kodak, Molly, Oz, Lilly, Ruby, and Dazey through the years. On one memorable occasion while camping with friends, Kodak fell into the lake over an embankment and Mason organized the crew into a human chain to get her out safely. In his later years, Mason became an ardent dog-walker. It was his goal to walk the dogs an hour each day, rain, or shine. As Mason liked to say, only the worst weather would keep them from walking—and only because “the dog really doesn’t like to walk in bad weather.” He even kept a detailed log that he enthusiastically shared with Debbie and his children.
A highlight of his life was a 24-day white water rafting expedition down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon in 2014 with his son Parker, daughter-in-law Amber, and 13 of their friends. At 62, he was the oldest on the trip by at least three decades, but he didn’t let that slow him down. He fit seamlessly into the group and made memories he cherished for the rest of his days.
Mason is survived by Debbie McLoud, his wife of 42 years, and three children: Jennifer McLoud-Semple (John Semple) of Blacklick, Ohio; Parker McLoud (Amber Knight) of Crested Butte, Colorado; and Kaylin Mason (Brandon Mason) of Fayetteville.
A beloved granddad, Mason is survived by six grandchildren: Doug Fawcett (Maggie Fawcett) of Eaton, Ohio; Skylar Walker-Bullock (Sarah Walker-Bullock) of Newton, North Carolina; Alexyss Brammer (Darrell Brammer) of South Euclid, Ohio; and Moya Mason, John Mason, and Wyatt Mason of Fayetteville; and great-grandchildren Maddie Cruickshank and Noah Cruickshank of Eaton, Ohio.
Mason is also survived by his stepmother Joie McLoud of Willingboro, New Jersey; six siblings (Betty Jean Dickerson, Tennessee; Jim McLoud, Massachusetts, Karen Cameron, New Jersey, Loring McLoud, Tennessee; Kim Brown, New Jersey; and Damian McLoud, California); brothers-in-law Bill Parker (Penny Parker) of Nemo, Texas and Brett (Julie Parker) of Fayetteville; by many nieces and nephews and by dear dogs Ruby and Dazey.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Patrick McLoud and his mother and father in law, Corky and Bill Parker.
In his last months, Mason received compassionate care from many health professionals. Mason’s family extends heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at Mayo Clinic, Washington Regional Medical Center, and Circle of Life Hospice.
A memorial service will be held Friday, November 3, 2023, at 2pm at Moore’s Chapel in Fayetteville. Join us in celebrating the life of Mason McLoud, a man profoundly missed and eternally beloved. In lieu of flowers, Mason wished that any memorials in his honor be made to organizations serving kids or dogs. To leave an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com.
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