Mason J. Hanks, 95, of Beaumont died Thursday, February 12, 2004 at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 16, at St. Anthony’s Cathedral under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Mason was one of four brothers who worked as firemen for the Crowley, Louisiana Fire Department during the 1930's and 1940's. During World War II, he moved his family to Orange where he worked as an electrician at the Consolidated Steel Shipyard. In 1945, he moved to Beaumont and worked for the City of Beaumont. He retired as Electrical Foreman in 1973. Mason was the foreman over crews that put up Christmas lights in downtown Beaumont and at the Gaylynn Center for years. He also operated the air conditioning for theater productions at City Hall and Harvest Club events. He was electrical foreman at the South Texas State Fairgrounds each fall. In August 1998, he was honored as the Oldest Living Fireman at the Crowley Fire Department Centennial Celebration. He was loved and trusted by all who came to know him.
He is survived by his daughters, Verdie Petkovsek and Deanna Fowler, both of Beaumont; grandchildren, Martin Hughes Petkovsek, Jr. and Rex A. Fowler, both of Beaumont, Paula Petkovsek Galbraith and her husband, Timothy of San Diego, California and Christopher C. Fowler and his wife, Rose Mary of Houston; and great-grandchildren, Dylan Galbraith, Blakeley Galbraith and Grant S. Fowler.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony Cathedral Endowment Fund, P O Box 3309, Beaumont, Texas 77704.
