James Richard “Rich” Mason, 84, of Herculaneum died May 21, 2026, at his home. Mr. Mason was a graduate of Leadwood High School. He worked for Chrysler Corp in Fenton and retired as a supervisor from River Cement/Buzzi Unicem of Festus. He and his wife traveled in their RV for nine years and lived in Arizona for 12 years. He enjoyed riding motorcycles and trout fishing and had been a St. Louis Cardinals fan since he was a young boy. Born Jan. 8, 1942, in a log cabin in Stoney Point, he was the son of the late Mildred Mabel (Jackson) and James Eulice Mason.
He is survived by his wife of 64 ½ years: Ruth Ann (Hedrick) Mason; a daughter: Phyllis Ann Turnbo of Herculaneum; a son: Richard B. (Karla) Mason; a sister-in-law: Linda Harms of Potosi; four grandchildren: Ashley LeAnn (Mark Ringwald) Bader, Jessica Nicole St. Lawrence, Conner Lane (Priscilla) Mason and Alec Reid Mason; and five great-grandchildren: Morrigan Nicole (Ryan Hunt II) Coleman, Gwynavere Rose Pilger, Liam James Voyles, Nathaniel Lane Mason and Raelyn Phoenix Cooper.
He was preceded in death by two brothers: Gerald (the late Janet) Mason and Ronald (Judy survives of Potosi) Mason; a sister: Sherry (Tom survives of Texas) Martin; a grandson: Corey Lane Mason; his parents-in-law: Thelma and Esco Hedrick; two sisters-in-law: Janet Sue Mason and Brenda Tater; and a brother-in-law: Dale Hedrick.
Visitation is scheduled from 11 a.m. until services at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 28, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. Burial will follow in Mount Olive Cemetery in De Soto. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.