Obituaries

Alan “Keith” Mason, 80 of Rt. 19 South, Clarksburg, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday October 12, 2016 at home surrounded by his loving family following an extended struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.

He was born in Clarksburg Jan. 6, 1936, to the late Kenneth W. Mason and Virginia D. (Proudfoot) Mason. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jean Harper Mason; three daughters, Michele D. and Bill Underwood, Tammy K. and Duane Molina, and Kristi A. and Bill Brady, all of Clarksburg; four grandchildren, Tre Roach, Casey Underwood, Kyla Brady, and Will Brady, all of Clarksburg; two step grandsons, Douglas and his wife Michelle Underwood of Sanford, NC, and Jd Molina of Bridgeport; and four step-great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters-n-law, Lucille Harper Bowers and Janet Bowers Harper.

Keith graduated from Washington Irving High School in 1954, and attended WVU from 1954-1958 studying Mechanical Engineering. He was in the US Army Reserves from 1959-1965 in the 293rd Transportation Unit.  Keith owned and operated Mason Machine Shop, Inc. in Clarksburg until illness forced its closing in 2010 after 61 years of business.

Keith was a loving, kind, and devoted husband, father, and grandfather and a very special friend and neighbor to all who knew him.

Keith and his wife Jean had a second home in Pendleton County for 55 years. He spent many years hunting and fishing in that area and had many special friends and family there.

In 1974, he built a Class A Climax Locomotive in his machine shop and, along with a caboose and flat car he had previously built, added track and it became the Locust Heights & Western Railroad which has operated every summer since then for 43 years.  It has been enjoyed by children and adults on a 1 and ½ mile round trip. He had many dedicated friends and neighbors who volunteered their time to help him in this enjoyable endeavor.

The railroad has been featured in several publications and media, including The Narrow Gauge & Shortline Gazette in 1997, Goldenseal in Winter 2007 and again in Spring 2014, the January 2011 issue of Trains Magazine, the Charleston Daily Mail in 2014, and was also featured on the Channel 8 WCHS show Traveling WV.

He showed his prized possession, the 1885 L. Spence 6 HP steam engine for 7 years at the Mountain State Forest Festival in Elkins, the Treasure Mountain Festival in Franklin from 1970-1986, The Stonewall Jackson Heritage Arts and Crafts Jubilee in Jacksons Mill from 1989-2008, and at Volcano Days near Parkersburg for 10 years. Previously he hosted the WV Region Antique Auto Club’s “Fun Day” car show for 25 years.

Keith was a member of Duff Street United Methodist Church.  He was a charter member of the Mountain State Railroad & Logging Historical Society, a member of the Wood County Flywheelers, and a former member of the Central WV Antique Auto Club and the Jordan Auto Club.

The family would like to thank Amedisys Hospice nurses, aides, nurse practitioners, and doctors with special thanks to Keith Daugherty, RN and Amy Wilson, LPN,  and they want to especially send their love and thanks to Amy Seckman for all the extra special care and love she gave to keep him comfortable in the end.

A private service will be held at Amos Carvelli Funeral Home with a private interment and graveside service at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Franklin, WV officiated by Rev. Brian Seders.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Duff Street Church Building Fund, 400 Duff Ave., Clarksburg, WV 26301 or Amedisys Hospice, 67 Casino Dr., Anmoore, WV 26323.

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com.  A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.