Gene Clarence Mason, age 80, of 616 James River View, Iron Gate, Virginia, died Monday, January 25, 2010 at his residence.

Born August 9, 1929 in Iron Gate, Virginia, Gene was a son of the late Gilbert C. and Annie M. Slough.

He served in the United States Army in Germany during the Korean War and was retired from MeadeWestvaco, where he worked as a floorman in the beater room.

He was a member of Iron Gate Baptist Church and had served on the Iron Gate Town Council for nine years.

He loved his yard, flowers, gardening and bird watching. He also enjoyed star gazing and watching the night sky.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Martha Hable, Christine Huggler and Marion Mays, and one brother, G. C. Mason.

He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Sara Francis Mason of Iron Gate; a daughter, Kelly Kophazi and husband, David of Charlottesville; a son, Dale Mason and wife, Ann of Blacksburg; and his special friend, Bootsie.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Reverend J. Glenn Linthicum officiating. Interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor. Pallbearers will be selected from friends attending the service. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Iron Gate Baptist Church, 716 Market Ave, Iron Gate, VA 24448 or Clifton Forge Baptist Church, PO Box 121, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.

The Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, Virginia, is handling the arrangements.