Paul L. "Moose" Mason

Former Morgan County Sheriff and pillar of the community, Paul L. “Moose” Mason, 91, of Monrovia, passed peacefully from this life and was reunited with his beloved wife Carolyn, in the early morning hours of Friday, January 13, 2023. He was born in Glenns Valley, IN, on August 15, 1931, to the late Virgil and Bessie (Skaggs) Mason. The youngest of eight children, Paul’s father was a farmer who rented farmland, requiring the family to move often. He attended Mooresville High School before being drafted into the United States Army in 1952, proudly serving his country as a Field Communications Chief, a Light Weapons Infantry Man, as well as Radio and Rifle Man during the Korean War. Upon his discharge, his craving for ice cream led him to the old Dairy Queen in Mooresville, where he spontaneously asked a pretty, young lady named Carolyn to accompany him on a date. She accepted and the happy couple were joyously united in marriage on September 26, 1954, spending 58 years together before her passing in 2012. Early on and driven by the aspiration to be released from a life of poverty, Paul opened Mason’s Pure Oil in Mooresville, where the local Town Marshall stopped in the shop one day, offering him a job as a dispatcher. After being told by his doctor that he needed a less stressful job, he graciously accepted, beginning his career in Law Enforcement. Three months in, he was promoted to Deputy Marshall, and a year later, in 1963, he was hired by the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department. In 1970 he was elected as the new Sheriff, serving for eight years, then as County Clerk for four years, Sheriff for four more years, as well as serving eight years on the Morgan County Council, all while volunteering on the Mooresville Fire Department. During his time on the police force, and as the entity grew, he initiated the Sheriff’s Department Merit System, the purchase of patrol cars, launched the Horse and Motorcycle Patrols, in addition being the Chief Investigator on approximately forty homicide investigations. Along with diligently serving his community, he also began Mason & Mason Auctioneering as well as Mason Excavating and was a Bail Bondsman. He was a member of the Gasburg Baptist Church, Mooresville Masonic Lodge #78 F&AM, The Indiana Auctioneering Association, Indiana Sheriff’s Association and the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Truly a man of many talents, and one not to let grass grow under his feet, his list of accomplishments is held second to none. In his free time, he continued to farm with his favorite Farmall tractor, raised cattle, horses, and pigs, plus took the family camping in their Motorhome. Although he had a stubborn side and was known to be stern, he was sincerely a great husband, father, and grandfather. Without a prejudice bone in his body, he continuously saw the good in people acknowledging that people aren’t bad, they just sometimes make mistakes. With an immense sense of humor, he thoroughly enjoyed making people laugh, flashing his big, adorable grin while doing so. In an interview, Paul was asked how he would like to be remembered. His response was, “I’d like to be remembered as a good Sheriff who tried to do his best for the community.” That goal was met, but he will also be remembered as a kind, sweet, generous man who left an indelible mark on his community, leaving behind a legacy of what a true man should be. Along with his parents, Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn L. (Bean) Mason; brothers, Arthur, Harry, Floyd, and Maurice Mason, and sisters, Martha Pauley, Mary (Mag) Cherry, and Dorothy Lane. He leaves behind his daughter, Deborah “Jo” Fraker (Tim) of Martinsville and son, Paul L. “Butch” Mason (Julie) of Monrovia; grandsons, Aaron Fraker (Ashley) of Martinsville, Charlie Fraker (Torie) of Martinsville, and Austin Mason (Katy) of Cloverdale; great grandchildren, Brayden Fraker (Maddy) of Morgantown, Trent Fraker, Jake Fraker, Kaylee Fraker, A.J. Fraker, Virgil & Leonard Storm, Caroline Mason, Michael Fleener, and Lizzy Owen. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, from 2pm to 6:45pm at the funeral home, with a Masonic Rite Service beginning promptly at 6:45pm. On Wednesday an additional hour of calling will be held from Noon to 1pm, with a Celebration of Life Funeral Service starting at 1pm. Pastors Jack Elliot and Luke Jackson will officiate, and burial will follow at White Lick Cemetery with full Military and Law Enforcement Honors. Memorial Contributions may be made in Paul’s memory by mail to Indy Honor Flight, PO Box 10, Plainfield, IN 46168, or online at https://indyhonorflight.org/donate/. To share a favorite story, send an online condolence to the family, or light a candle in Paul’s memory, please visit his tribute page at www.lightmemorial.com.

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Paul L. "Moose" Mason

August 15, 1931 - January 13, 2023