James L. Mason, Sr., 82 of Valley Lee, MD died on January 22, 2014 at MedStar St. Mary's Hospital. Born June 20, 1931 in Leonardtown, MD, to the late Robert and Amanda Mason.

James was preceded in death by his loving wife, Betty Elizabeth Mason, his children, James Louis Mason, Jr. (Junie), Joseph Mason, Charlotte and Charlene Mason, sister, Cecilia Brown and brother, Bernard Mason.

James is survived by his children, Patricia Green (Joe) of Clements, MD, Doris Mason and Darnell Mason (Lou) of Lexington Park, MD, Robert Mason of Valley Lee, MD, John Mason of Lexington Park, MD, Calvin Mason of Lexington Park, MD, Mary Medley (Robert, Sr. deceased) of Lexington Park, MD, Linda Mason of Valley Lee, MD, Daryl Mason (Tosha) of Great Mills, MD, Brian Mason (Tracy) of Indian Head, MD, Ray Mason, and Steve Mason (Ann) of Lexington Park, MD, and Tyrone Mason (Tess) of Lexington Park, MD.

James was a role model for his 45 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren. James Louis was a devoted father and farmer working on Mulberry Fields for 22 years, and retired in 1999. James was an active parishioner at St. Georges Catholic Church until he could no longer perform as an usher due to his illness, but still continued to attend services.

James home was the spot for Sunday dinners, weekend gatherings, birthday parties, anything you can think of where he enjoyed just sitting back looking at the crowd until they played his song, "Anybody Wanna Dance With Me", and then he would two step with anybody. James enjoyed being a father figure to not only his children but to his grandchildren.

James Louis enjoyed giving his grandchildren words of advice and encouragement like "don't take no wooden nickels." Never saying goodbye, he would always say "toot-a-loo, you take care now." You could always find him in his little room, heat on blast, just staring out the window looking up the road. Everyone knows how much he missed his wife. We know you are at peace now, Fly high in the sky with your best friend.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 from 10:00AM to 11:00AM in St. George Catholic Church, Valley Lee, MD with a Mass of Christian burial at 11:00AM , with Monsignor Karl Chimiak officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be; Darnell Mason, Stevie Mason, Daryl Mason, Robert Medley, Jr., Tyrone Mason, and Brian Mason. Honorary pallbearers will be Monica Woodard, LaQuisha Harris, John Mason, Calvin Mason, Robert mason, Ray Mason, and Stevin Mason.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley- Gardiner funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.