David E. (Gene) Mason, age 93, of Spring Hill, Florida, passed away on Saturday, December 11, 2021 with family by his side.
Gene was born on November 29, 1928, in Monroe, Wisconsin, the only child, of Harvey and Josephine (Gavigan) Mason. Gene graduated from Monroe Sr. High School in 1947, where he excelled in Basketball, (earning 4 letters), Football (earning 3 letters) and Track (earning 3 letters). Gene served in the US Army – Korea, 25th Division, receiving several medals including the Purple Heart for being wounded at Heartbreak Ridge on October 7, 1952. Upon his return from duty, he married his high school sweet-heart, Lois (Speich) on August 20, 1953. He attended The University of Wisconsin-Platteville, lettering in Football, Basketball and Baseball. Gene was All Conference Quarterback in 1954, President of the Letterman’s Club 1955 and was inducted into the UW Platteville Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986. He was proud that he joined his Monroe teammates Dick Wainwright and Ernie Vogler in UWP’s Hall of Fame.
After graduating with a degree in Education, he taught high school history and coached Varsity Basketball for nearly 30 years. High Schools include: Warren IL, Galesville, Kimberly, Lake Mills, and Poynette, WI. His 1960 Varsity Basketball Team from Galesville WI (Gale-Ettrick) went to “State Tourney” at a time when all Wisconsin schools were still only one division. He was an avid golfer and in retirement, Gene & Lois loved to play golf together. Between them, they had 9 “holes-in-one” (Gene 5 and Lois 4). A special highlight in Gene’s life was when he flew on the Badger Honor Flight along with 95 other Veterans from Madison to Washington D.C. in May 2016, accompanied by his grandson, Jason Robertson.
Gene is survived by 5 children: Jim (Jill) Mason of McFarland, WI, Mary (John) Robertson of Spring Hill, FL, Tom Mason of Fort Atkinson, WI, Julie (Mike) Spuhler of Hartford, WI, Holly (Phaedra Christou) Mason of Glendale, WI. Eleven grandchildren: Jennifer Wagner, Jason Robertson, Joe Robertson, David Robertson, Tyler Mason, Hannah Mason, Calli Mason, Cora Kaul, Brian Spuhler, Sara McNamer and Kayla Christou-Mason. Five great-grandchildren: Rowan Wagner, Callan Wagner, Trey Kaul, Owen Kaul, and Layla Robertson.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Aunt Katie Gavigan (who was like his second mother), wife Lois, daughter Nancy Foley and five grandchildren Kelly, Timothy, Katie, Lauren and Sean Foley.
Private services will be held at a later date. Memorials should be payable to “Green County Veterans Park” and mailed to Community Foundation, P.O. Box 733, Monroe, WI 53566.
