Ralph Ed Mason

BLOOMFIELD - Ralph Ed Mason -Feb. 11, 1964 - Dec. 12, 2010 Ralph Ed Mason, 46, of Bloomfield, died Monday, Dec. 12, in Bloomfield. He was born Feb. 11, 1964, in Gallup, born as the Towering House Clan and for the Tangled People Clan. His paternal grandfather's clan was the Ute People Clan and his maternal grandfather's clan was the One-Who-Walks-Around Clan. Mason graduated from Manzano High School, in Albuquerque in 1982. He graduated with a B.S. degree in Geology from the University of New Mexico in 1990. He worked as a geologist in Farmington for ten years and later found another passion in teaching math and science to middle school age children in Bloomfield. He tutored math and science after a full day in the classroom, and also at one time mentored young fathers learning how to balance high school and parenthood. Throughout his life, Mason enjoyed sports and the outdoors. Football, cycling, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, rodeo, and tennis were among his lifetime pursuits. As a football player he earned the nickname of "Horse," which described his hard work effort and his physical strength and endurance. Early in life he also enjoyed fishing with his father, uncles, and cousins and later fly fishing with his eldest daughter. Mason also loved horses and rodeo which melded with his wife and eldest daughter's interests in rodeo. Ralph always loved being outdoors. He enjoyed deer and elk hunting with his father, uncles, and cousins. He also enjoyed hiking and taking drives to walk and explore geologic formations around the Four Corners Area. Mason was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Edward Francis of Chinle, Ariz.; maternal grandparents, Edgar and Celia Mason of Crownpoint and, more recently, his uncle, Erwin Mason; his aunt, Lorraine Mason; cousin-brother, Vernon Mason and his uncle, Dannie Mason of Sundance. Survivors include his daughter, Sennabaa Mason of Bloomfield; daughter, Kailenna Mason of Bloomfield; wife, Bellamie Mason of Bloomfield; grandmother, Ida Francis of Chinle; parents, Richard and Rose Mason of Albuquerque; and sisters, Cynthia Mason of Albuquerque; and Cheryl Mason of Santa Fe. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. today, Dec. 16, at St. Mary's Parish, 2100 E. 20th St. in Farmington. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 17, at St. Mary's Parish in Farmington. The family will receive friends and relatives at 12 p.m., at St. Mary's Parish, following the burial services. .Arrangements are with Cope Memorial Chapel, 404 W. Arrington, Farmington, NM. 505-327-5142