James Norman Mason, known to most as “Norm” passed away on December 3, 2020 due to complications from an injury incurred on October 31st. Born November 29, 1939, the middle child of Norman Hugh and Ruby Burgess Mason, he graduated from Bradford High School in 1957 and went on to enlist in the Air Force in 1958. He served in Korea as an air traffic controller and began his lengthy broadcasting career working at the radio station on base. After the military, he attended the Sarasota School of Broadcast Engineering in Florida obtaining a degree in Broadcast Engineering. Norm was well-known in the Broadcasting industry throughout the Arkla-Tex area serving as a Consultant and Chief Engineer for multiple stations in the four states area. He later moved into station ownership where he impacted the careers of other broadcast hopefuls giving many their first opportunities as on-air personalities. Norm is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Dean Mason.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Katy Watson Mason, his sister, Louise Mason of Conway, Arkansas; two daughters, Kelli Jones and husband Stuart Jones of The Colony, Texas, Kimberly Garrison and husband Michael of Midlothian, Texas, one step-daughter, Melissa Hicks of Texarkana, grandchildren: Danielle Whaley, Miranda Etkind, Aliza Etkind, Samuel Etkind, Madalyn Gathright and Two great grandchildren: Emersyn and Breck Whaley.
Visitation will be 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at BRAZZEL/Oakcrest Funeral Home, 1001 South Main Street, Hope, AR. Services will be 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, December 9, 2020 in the BRAZZEL/Oakcrest Chapel with Rev. Jerry Westmoreland officiating. Burial will follow in Bradford, AR. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of BRAZZEL/Oakcrest The Funeral Home of Hope. Online condolences: www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com