Kearby
Our husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather has been called home after fighting a courageous battle with dementia for 14 years. We are so sad, but relieved his suffering is over. Mason died May 20, 2025, at Longmeadow Memory Healthcare, Justin, at the age of 90.
Jay “Mason” Kearby was born March 11, 1935, in Seton Hospital, Austin, to Jerome Peyton Kearby, Jr. and Ruby Anna Ella (Menke) Kearby. He was the youngest and only one of three siblings to be born in a hospital. In 1946, following his father’s WWII service, Mason and his family settled in Decatur, where they remained until Mason graduated high school. Mason attended nine different elementary schools before he moved to Decatur in 5th grade. His most stable place that held the fondest memories for him was Carmine, where his mother grew up and his maternal relatives lived on farms. Mason enjoyed the home baking, and experienced sausage making, wringing chickens, cleaning the cistern, outhouses and bathing in a galvanized tub in the kitchen. According to Mason, the adults spoke German to prevent the little ones from listening to the conversations and decorated the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve with candles.
Mason met his sweetheart, Helen Hull Kearby, at a Halloween party in Decatur when he was in 8th grade and she was in 7th. They dated from then and throughout high school and were only separated her senior year when Mason graduated from Decatur High and went to college. Mason and Helen married August 11, 1956, in Decatur, and were together for 68 years (or 76 years if including dating).They enjoyed scoping out garage sales, buying antiques and visiting with friends and relatives. Helen lovingly cared for Mason at home as he dealt with dementia until his last year when he moved to Justin.
Mason graduated from North Texas State College (now University of North Texas) in 1957, and received a degree in Banking and Finance. He was selected as the top finance student during his senior year. Mason served in the Texas National Guard during the Cold War because of the Berlin Wall. In 1957, he was stationed for six months at Ft. Chaffee, AR as required for training, and again in 1961 for one year with the 49th Armored Division at Ft. Polk, LA. Mason’s division was charged with activating Fort Polk for occupation, and he served as company clerk with security clearance. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. During and after his military service, Mason was employed by Moore Business Forms for 34 years, working in various positions until Moore closed in 1991. Mason retired to enjoy gardening, tinkering, Dallas Cowboys, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and dogs Sweeney and Oliver. We think he would have been an excellent woodworker. Having stayed in Denton, after college graduation, Mason was the 5th generation of his family to have lived in Denton beginning with his great-great-great-grandfather in 1858.
Surviving Mason is his wife, Helen of Denton; daughters, Kay Kearby of Kennedale, Sheryl Kearby of Castle Rock, CO, and daughter-in-law Kay Giocondo of Kennedale.; grandchildren Susannah Lane-Dikes (Kevin) of Borger, Charlotte Lane-Venturella (Michael) of Colorado Springs, CO, Marinda Lane of Salem, OR and Abram Lane (Rachel Benton) of Centennial, CO.; great-grandchildren, Peyton, Cecily, Marion and Trevor Dikes, Parker and Emmalane Venturella; his sister, Cynthia Kearby Buttram of Sugarland. Mason was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Dr. Jerome B. Kearby, and son-in-law, Dwane Lane.
Following cremation, Mason’s urn will be interred at Oaklawn Cemetery, Decatur.
Our family wishes to acknowledge with great appreciation the staff and caregivers at Longmeadow Healthcare Center, Justin, TX, and the nurses of Three Oaks Hospice for their loving care and support during Mason’s illness.
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