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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of John C. Mason Jr. M.D. of Danville, who
4passed away on October 20, 2020; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Mason was born in Rossville to John C. Sr.
6M.D. and Ruth Cole Mason on March 27, 1930; he graduated from
7Rossville High School and received his bachelor's degree from
8the University of Illinois; he earned his medical degree from
9the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1955 and
10completed his residency at the University of Illinois Medical
11Center in Chicago; he served in the U.S. Army as a captain in
12the medical corps and married Donna Jean Fox in 1957; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Dr. Mason was an obstetrician and gynecologist for
14approximately 40 years in Danville, both in private practice
15and with Carle Clinic; he delivered thousands of babies and
16treated, counseled, and cared for his patients with an enduring
17connection; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Dr. Mason was an active volunteer and supporter of
19the Danville Area Community College, Lakeview Hospital
20(Provena, OSF), the University of Illinois, and the University
21of Illinois Medical School; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Dr. Mason received the Lou Liay Spirit Award from
2the U of I Alumni Association for his dedication, spirit, and
3pride in support of the university; he and his wife created and
4funded scholarships for Danville Area Community College and the
5University of Illinois Medical School; he was honored by his
6family and the medical school in 2017 with the dedication of a
7classroom in his name that also honored his parents; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Dr. Mason co-led the effort to establish Fetch Dog
9Park which opened in 2010; he was very proud of the park and
10spent many hours on the grounds with his best friend, Maggie,
11and many more hours behind the scenes with others to make sure
12the park was successful; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Dr. Mason was affectionately known as "Poppie",
14"Jack", or "Doc"; he and Donna enjoyed travel, both
15international and domestic; he loved long driving trips around
16the country, visiting presidential libraries and sampling
17fried chicken; he enjoyed experiencing American history and had
18a particular interest in visiting the significant landmarks of
19the Lewis and Clark Trail; he documented many of these trips in
20his journals that he loved to send to his sons and
21grandchildren; he loved, mentored, and supported his family
22with his counsel and humor; he cherished time with family and
23friends at cookouts, cocktail hour, and fellowship on the deck;
24recently, he and family friend, Barbara McColm, enjoyed

 

 

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1spending time together with family and friends in Danville and
2Fort Worth, Texas where Barbara lived; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Dr. Mason was preceded in death by his wife of 57
4years, Donna; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Mason is survived by his sister, Carol; his
6sons, John (Jane), Jeff, Mike (Lisa), and Steve (Kathy); and
7his grandchildren Anne, John, Stephen, David, William,
8Abigail, Madeleine, and Cole; therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
10ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
11John C. Mason Jr. M.D. and extend our sincere condolences to
12his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
13further
 
14    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
15presented to the family of Dr. Mason as an expression of our
16deepest sympathy.