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BERNITA M. KORENEK
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RALPH MASSON

April 20, 2022 - 00:00
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  • RALPH MASSON

Ralph James Masson, 80, of Weimar passed away Apr. 2 of a sudden heart attack.

Ralph was born in Harahan, LA on Nov. 29, 1941. He lived at various times in Denver, CO, Kansas City, KS, Asheville, NC, Washington state, and Tokyo, Japan, but spent most of his adult life in Houston. Shortly before his death, he and his wife, Jan, began settling into their new full-time life in Weimar.

In 1961 Ralph graduated from Lee Edwards High School in Asheville, North Carolina where he especially enjoyed classes in printing. Immediately thereafter, he enlisted in the army, where he served for six years. He worked in various positions in the printing and reproduction/graphic arts industries for most of his work life, first in the US Army map service, then in Houston for the Texas Highway Department, Universal Blueprint, Sonat Exploration and finally El Paso Energy. He also taught dance and art photography for one year at HISD’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. He happily pursued his passion for photography and anything related to art throughout his life, but in his later years, also pursued his love of buying and selling “treasure.”

Ralph was one of a kind. He was affectionate, cheerful, curious, obstinate, opinionated, mischievous, grandiose, generous to a fault, and fun to be with. His taste in art and music was quite diverse, swinging from very traditional to contemporary to avant-garde to experimental and then back to traditional again, often within a matter of minutes. He loved overseeing the “bullshit corner” at Antiques on Main in Weimar, a parttime antiques and collectibles shop he opened in retirement with his spouse. The “corner” was where friends would drop in to discuss the events of the day and help sort through the newest boxes of Ralph’s purchases. And he loved, loved, loved finding treasure of all kinds. In the end, he passed away quickly, unexpectedly, sitting in his chair in the corner and doing what he loved.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 43 years, Janet Fenner Masson, his daughter Terry Blair-Burton (Jeff) of Hesperus, CO, and his son Dennis Masson (Lara) of Austin. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Drew Blair (Kate) of Austin, Jacob Burton of Durango, Colorado, Fletcher Masson of Austin, two great-grandchildren, Ryder and Tyler Blair of Austin, three siblings, Kathy Hill, Constance Snow (Ken), and Allen Masson (Carolynn), his former wife Reiko Osaki, and many nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends. He is also survived by his beloved rescue dogs Scout (the angel) and Mitzi (the devil dog) and his rescue cat Jack. He was preceded in death by his parents (Eugene and Dorothy Rogers Masson) and two brothers, Eugene J. Masson, Jr. and Rogers Masson.

Ralph’s life will be celebrated Saturday, Apr. 23 at 10 a.m. at Henneke Funeral Home located at 1515 Montezuma Street, Columbus, TX 78934, with a reception to follow immediately after at the Family Life Center of First United Methodist Church, 1229 Milam Street, Columbus, TX.

If desired, a donation in his name may be made to Citizens for Animal Protection, 17555 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77094, the Houston Food Bank, 535 Portwall St., Houston, TX 77029, or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.com.