Gene Harry Mason, 77, passed away Friday, March 30, 2007, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. He was born Dec. 26, 1928, in Savannah, Ga., to Harry Lamar and Evelyn Brown. Evelyn later married J. Clark Mason, who raised Gene like his own son.

Gene moved with his family to Montana in the late 1940s. He married Beverly A. Meyers in Kalispell in 1949, and they divorced in 1968. Gene then married Beverly Vance on Sept. 30, 1968, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. They later divorced.

Gene worked for Kalispell Laundry before moving to Washington state, where he began a career in dry cleaning. He returned to the valley to assume a partnership in Service Cleaners. He started Masonized Dry Cleaners in 1963, operating it until he retired in 1990.

For many years, Gene played percussion with the Hungry Four, and he was a avid fan of the Atlanta Braves baseball team. However, Gene's favorite place was his home on Echo Lake.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Clark and Evelyn Mason; and a great-grandson, Loic Rogers.

He is survived by five children, Patty Fisher and husband, Phil, of Kalispell, Pam Berry and husband, Buzz, of Kalispell, Paula Mattern and husband, Brian, of Columbia Falls, Cathy Weprek and husband, Ron, of Kalispell, and J. Clark Mason II and wife, Lisa, of Glendora, Calif.; grandchildren, Craig, Bradley, Courtney, Kelcy, Jennifer, Christina, Scott, Brian, Aaron, Ashley, Caitlin, Rylee, Ariel, Amber, Melanie, Justin, Mariah, Zane and Owen; as well as 16 great-grandchildren, including Indica, Kyro, Jesse and Leila. He also is survived by long-term friends, Beverly Mason and Sandra Parod.

Funeral services for Gene will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 14, in the Johnson Mortuary chapel, with Jerry Schrek officiating. Burial will be in C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. There will be no visitation.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Gene's family.