Arthur "Red" Mason

Arthur "Red" Mason, 79, of Sistersville, WV passed away at home on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, after an extended illness, surrounded by family and the compassionate care of Journey Hospice.

Born on January 21,1946 in Doddridge County, Red was the son of the late John E. Mason and Eugenia "Jean" Spurgeon Mason. He graduated from Tyler County High School in 1964 and went on to work for Mobay/Bayer Corporation for 31 1/2 years, where he retired as a Research Chemist in Research & Development. During his career, he was a co-inventor on nine patents from 1988-2001, a legacy he took great pride in.

Red devoted much of his life to service, both to his community and his church. A longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Sistersville, he served as a Deacon for more than 30 years, faithfully assisted with Sunday School classes as needed, and volunteered in the Nursery/Pre-School Department. He also served on the Tyler County Board of Education, including a term as Vice President, and was involved with numerous committees, such as the PRT Administrative Council, Legislative Committee of 55, and the West Virginia School Board Association's Executive Board.

He was a Tyler County Commissioner, where he served as President. Red represented the county on many local and regional boards-including the Workforce Investment Board, the Mid-Ohio Valley Council, the Friendly Public Service District Board and several community service organizations. He was an active member of countless local groups over the years, including the Sistersville Elks Lodge; Friendly Lions Club; Tyler Rod and Gun Club; Valley Grange; Phoenix Lodge No. 73 A.F & A.M.; Tyler County Shrine Club; Wheeling Scottish Rite Bodies; and Masonic Bodies of Parkersburg.

Red was one of twelve children and truly cherished being surrounded by family and friends. He loved exploring the great outdoors, attending church camp with the men of First Baptist Church, traveling with his wife Frances, and visiting with those who couldn't easily get out and about. He enjoyed telling stories-some of them were even true-and cheering on the Mountaineers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He especially looked forward to trips to the mountains with his brothers and friends; although he didn't hunt, he was always happy to serve as the camp cook. Red also loved playing golf whenever he could- often alongside his brothers, close friends and sometimes with his sister Nancy. He enjoyed playing poker with family and friends and attending family gatherings of all kinds--from weddings and reunions to everything in between.

Red truly was one of a kind-always ready for an adventure, professed to be grounded in realism, yet always somehow saw the world through "Rose-Colored Glasses".

He is survived by his two daughters, Shelley Ritchie (Joe) of Bridgeport, WV and Sherie Kemp of Sistersville, WV; grandsons, Wyatt Kemp (Fiancé Alexandria "Red" Moore) and Jerod Kemp (Andrea Lamp), JD Ritchie and Mason Ritchie; great-grandsons; Easton, Bentley and Bryson Kemp; brothers, Richard Mason and Leeman Mason (Susan) and sisters, Judy Glover, Nancy Sabol (Robert) and Criss Lash (Todd); and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Red was preceded in death by his loving wife, Frances Wamsley Mason and siblings, Loretta Jane Mason, John Mason (Sarah),Tom Mason (Pat), Joe Mason, Robert "Bob" Mason and Philip Mason.

A Celebration of Life Dinner will be held at a later date at the First Baptist Church. A private graveside service for both Red and Frances will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Red would ask that you honor his legacy by helping those in need through a contribution to the Sistersville Area Ministerial Association Food Pantry Ministry at P.O. Box 64, Sistersville, WV 26175.