Hunter Mason

     Hunter Layne Mason passed away surrounded by his family on May 31, 2022, at the age of 22 following a brief but courageous battle with brain cancer.

Hunter was born in Nevada, Missouri on October 19, 1999, to parents Marc and Carrie Mason. He grew up developing his love for sports on the backyard basketball court and running football plays in the side yard. More recently he spent time fishing and playing golf with his friends, brothers, and dad.

Hunter was a 2018 graduate of Nevada High School where he was a student athlete, playing both basketball and football. Hunter graduated with honors as Valedictorian of his class and was also the recipient of the 2018 Roger Kennedy Award, the 2018 Senior Male Scholar Athlete, and the Patrick Quest Award.

During his football career at Nevada High, Hunter was recognized for his contribution on both sides of the ball, playing tight end and linebacker. Hunter’s recognition for these efforts included four-year letter winner, Team Captain, and NHS Offensive Player of the Year. Over his three years as a starter, he earned numerous post season area accolades including Honorable Mention, 2nd Team and 1st Team selections from All Southwest Missouri Coaches Association, All West Central Conference, Missouri Football Coaches Association All-State, Missouri Academic All-State, All District, and All Southwest Missouri Region.

In the fall of 2018, Hunter became a fighting Leatherneck when he earned a full Division I scholarship to play football and pursue his academic goals at Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL.

Hunter graduated magna cum laude with his undergraduate degree from Western Illinois University in May 2021 and was continuing his collegiate football career while pursuing his graduate degree in Sport Management. 

During his time at WIU, Hunter was the recipient of numerous academic and athletic awards including: 2021 WIU RPTA Outstanding Senior Award, All-Missouri Valley Football Conference Honorable Mention, Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Academic Honorable Mention, Missouri Valley Football Conference President’s Council Academic Excellence Award, and the 2022 Wespy’s Courage Award.

While much of Hunter’s life was spent on the football field playing the game he dearly loved, he always said, “I’m so much more than football” and that he was. Hunter was loved by his family, friends, teachers, professors, coaches, teammates, and community. Hunter loved them all as much as they loved him. Hunter attended the First Baptist Church in Nevada and the Crossing in Macomb, IL

Hunter is survived by his parents, Marc and Carrie Mason, Nevada, MO, his siblings, Taylor Cartwright, Nevada, MO, Tiffany Cartwright, Kansas City, MO, Jessica Mason, Fayetteville, AR, Nathan Mason, Caleb Mason, Nevada, MO, and Marc A. Mason, Sheldon, MO, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Hunter was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Gary Kafer and Sharon Kafer and Paternal grandparents, Florence McMillin and Herbert Mason.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 6, 2022 at the First Baptist Church in Nevada with Dr. Kevin Daugherty officiating.  Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park.  Friends may call from now until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday evening at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.   

Memorials are suggested in his memory to Nevada R-5 Scholarship Foundation for the Hunter L. Mason Scholarship Fund or the National Brain Tumor Society c/o Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington , Nevada, MO  64772.

***Live viewing of the service may be viewed on First Baptist Church facebook.

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