Winton Mason Obituary

Winton "Jim" James Mason

1940 - 2025

Winton "Jim" James Mason, 85, of Grand Rapids, MN, passed away on August 4th, 2025, at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Grand Rapids.

Jim was born on June 6th, 1940, in Sac City, IA, to Odetta Margaret (Greve) and Winton Cleo Mason. After graduating from Sac City High School in 1958, where he was remembered as the "class clown, scientist, and pianist", Jim attended Iowa State University, where he joined the Adelante fraternity. He later completed his formal education at the University of Iowa College of Law, graduating in 1969.

An accomplished attorney, Jim concluded his career as an Assistant Itasca County Attorney, though he was anything but ordinary. His trademark humor and class clown spirit often found their way into the courtroom. Still, if you were looking to win a case, you wanted Jim Mason representing you. At the same time, if you ever asked Jim whether he enjoyed being a lawyer, chances are he said "no", because what truly defined him, both in his own eyes and in the eyes of many, was his deep passion and exceptional talent for music.

Jim had a talent that most will ever come across only once in their lifetime. At his mother's encouragement, Jim began singing and playing piano in church at an early age. When he entered school, he became an accomplished French horn and saxophone player. After high school, he attempted to pursue music in college but quickly discovered that he hated being told what to do regarding the subject and quickly dropped that degree. But even without professional training, he went on to become a sought after composer, arranger (both by hand and digitally), band leader, church musician, theatrical music director, and an avid jazz musician. Many have fond memories of his time with the Sentimental Journey and Swing Delivery big bands. He was an active member of the Grand Rapids Players for decades and a crucial musician for the summer variety show on the Mississippi, Showboat. He had a mental index of just about every jazz standard and hymn that you could think of and could sit down at a piano without sheet music and play for hours with ease.

When Jim wasn't at the piano, you could find him enjoying a variety of hobbies. These include, but are not limited to, gardening (but not weeding), pontooning, amateur radio, home improvement, reading math and science textbooks for fun, studying astronomy, baking bread, and eating chocolate ice cream cones from Dairy Queen.

Above all, Jim will be remembered for his quick wit, his musical expertise, and his extraordinary ability to be kind and giving. He was someone you could always count on, no matter what you needed.

Jim is preceded in death by his father, Cleo; his mother, Odetta; his brother, John; and his son's mother, Marilyn. He is survived by his daughters' mother, Cindy; his children, Theodore Mason, Sarah Mason, and Abigail (Samuel) Hussman; and his grandchildren, Bailey Mason, Isabelle Hussman, and McKinley Hussman.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MN. Visitation will begin at the church one hour prior to the service.

There's a spot 'round that bend, that's my home, my journey's end, come on you old man river, come on, roll on you Mississippi, roll on!

To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.