Justin William Mason

Justin William Mason

June 3, 1979- November 12, 2021

Justin William Mason was tragically taken from us on November 12, 2021.

He was born on June 3, 1979, to Kevin and Shirley Mason.

He was raised in Philipsburg and graduated from Granite High School in 1998. He and his buddies had stories of their younger days— and recent ones— that would make you cry laughing. He had many lifelong friends he would have done anything for.

After graduation he fulfilled his dream of joining the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion of the 1st Marines Division. Sergeant Mason was honorably discharged in 2002, having made many friends and brothers.

He was among the few and proud forever more.

In 2004, he and Katie Gates (Hancock) welcomed the apple of his eye, Hayden Mason, into the world. Justin made sure to attend every one of Hayden’s games and treasured the time they spent hunting, fishing and camping together. He kept all of Hayden’s drawings and cards and his house was full of photos of his son, and mounts of their hunting endeavors.

Justin was a passionate hunter, a great dad and a wonderful friend. An avid outdoorsman, he firmly believed, as did Uncle Bruce, that God’s Country was a place called Stony Crick.

Justin would drop everything to help a buddy pack an elk, brand cattle or fix a car problem.

He was genuine and loyal, hard-working and earnest.

He worked at a variety of places through his life, including Mungas Company, MRI, the county road crew and most recently the Montana Department of Transportation. He could operate most any piece of heavy equipment, keeping spare sets of excavator and equipment keys in his house.

This spring he met the love of his life, Emily Petrovski. The pair were elated to learn they are welcoming a baby in June 2022.

Justin was preceded in death by his father, Kevin Mason, grandparents Bill and Joyce Mason and Bill Mapes and Dee Etta Duffey, uncles Bruce Mason and Kai Morrison and pups, Duke, Dallas and Toby.

He is survived by his pride and joy Hayden Mason; mother Shirley O’Laughlin and stepfather, Bob O’Laughlin; girlfriend Emily Petrovski and their unborn child; brother Jeremey and niece Randee; adventure buddy Baxter; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, such as Wes Graham, and countless friends and extra brothers, including Dougie Fresh, Snacks, Foof, Woody, Carl Grahams, Josh and Paul.

Services will be held Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the Philipsburg High School gym. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the service.

Semper Fidelis.