Ralph Lee Mason

Our beloved husband, dad, granddad, and great-granddad, Ralph Lee Mason, passed from this life into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 22, 2019 after a 10-month battle with brain cancer. He was born in Shawnee, OK on July 31, 1932. He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Helen; daughters, Myrna Lightfoot and her husband, David, Carol Mason, and Sherry Willis; grandchildren, Will Lightfoot, Luke Lightfoot, Clay Lightfoot and his wife, Abby, Erin Styka and her husband, Joseph, Megan Straughan and her husband Alex Lanphere, Katie Willis, and Kristen Willis; eight great grandchildren; and twin brother, Ray Mason. He was preceded in death by parents, J.C. and Rosa Mason; sister, Maxine Kingsbury; and son-in-law, Bob Willis. Ralph Mason was a veteran, having served for two years in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in business. He began his business career working at IBM. He left IBM to become one of the earliest Sonic Drive-In franchisees in 1964. As his business grew, he founded Sonic's largest franchisee group which began as Mason-Harrison-Jarrard and is now Mason-Harrison-Ratliff. He served on the elder board of Crossings Community Church for eight years. He also served on the board of directors for White Fields, Mid-America Christian University, Seeworth Academy, City Care, Crossings Clinic, and UMB Bank. Ralph delighted to help people achieve their dreams and one way he accomplished this was by providing scholarships for at least thirty-two students to attend college. In business, he believed that "if it's not a good deal for everybody, it's not a good deal." He practiced this belief in all his business dealings. He is known for his kindness, generosity, warm smile, encouraging words, and his love for people, especially his family. We will miss him so very much! In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given to SeeWorth Foundation, Water 4, City Care, Crossings Community Church, Crossings Clinic, or White Fields. The Celebration of Ralph's life will be Friday, April 26 at 1:00 p.m. at Crossings Community Church with a reception to follow.