Thomas Mason

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Thomas Mason
Born	January 12, 1919 Lynchburg, Virginia
Died	March 9, 2007

Thomas Boyd Mason (January 12, 1919 - March 9, 2007) was an American U.S. attorney and a stage and movie actor who had a long successful career in law and politics.

1 Biography
2 Achievements
- 2.1 On stage
3 External links

[edit] Biography

A Lynchburg, Virginia native, Mason moved to Roanoke in 1961 when President John F. Kennedy appointed him U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia. Mason had close ties to Kennedy. He and Kennedy served together in the South Pacific as naval officers during World War II, and Mason was later a district campaign coordinator for Kennedy's presidential bid. Mason served as U.S. attorney for two terms, until 1969. The current U.S. attorney's offices in Roanoke are named for Mason. After his second term, he took a job at Norfolk and Western Railway Co. working as a liaison to the General Assembly. He retired in 1983.

[edit] Achievements

"Tom was a citizen of the world," said former state Del. Clifton Woodrum III, who knew Mason from his time as U.S. attorney. "Anything that involved people, he would excel at."

Before being appointed U.S. attorney, Mason had graduated from the University of Virginia law school. He worked as a general practice lawyer in Lynchburg for 10 years. Then, from 1956 to 1961 he worked for the People's National Bank and Trust Co., Lynchburg, as both trust officer and later, as vice president.

[edit] On stage

Aside from his successes in law and politics, Mason is also well-known for his talents on stage, especially playing the role of Elwood P. Dowd in "Harvey." Mason began acting while a freshman at Hampden-Sydney. In 1971, he began acting again with Hollins College Theatre, Showtimers and Mill Mountain Theatre. Jim Ayers, former director of Mill Mountain Theatre, recalls that at his retirement party, Mason came in character as Dowd. In addition to playing Dowd, Mason also played the role of Norman Thayer in a theater production of On Golden Pond.

He also appeared in four feature films, Crimes of the Heart (film), In A Shallow Grave, Mississippi Burning and Gods and Generals. He also appeared in many made-for-television movies.

Friends say it was Mason's charisma, his sharp wit, love of life and genuine interest in people that propelled him to success. "The worst mood I ever saw him in was cheerful," Woodrum said.