Courtney Hodges Mason

Not everyone born in a town as small as Perry, Georgia, has the privilege of a long life enriched by many varied and rewarding experiences, both in this country and elsewhere in the world. But Courtney Hodges Mason was one of those people.

Born on June 9, 1924, to Thomas Dovert Mason and Edna Hodges Mason, Courtney Hodges Mason was named for his uncle, General Courtney Hicks Hodges, a decorated senior officer in the United States Army who served in World Wars I and II. Like his uncle, Courtney also served in World War II. After attending Gordon Military College, he joined the military and flew B-24 Liberators and B-25 Bombers with the Tenth and later Fourteenth Air Force, completing airlift missions over “the Hump” in the Himalayas from Assam, India to Kunming, China. Those crews flew four trips over the Hump to acquire supplies (mostly fuel) necessary to make one bombing run. The canyons through which they flew were shrouded in fog, with only charts, speed and headings to guide them through the soup. One day, Courtney flew through the canyons without the fog and was astounded to see how close they had come to the mountain walls. Yet his recollection was that they would have fought for the chance to do it all over again. He also flew B-29 Superfortress aircraft later in the war.

In his civilian life, Courtney was a restaurateur in Fort Worth, Texas. He recalled that Billy Graham and Pat Boone were among his patrons—before they became famous. Undoubtedly, this culinary experience fostered his talent as a superb cook. His pastries and yeast rolls were legendary and always coveted at family gatherings. From 1968 to 1994, Courtney was a rural carrier for the United States Postal Service, after which he retired. Although he was plagued with macular degeneration, he never let it stop him—still continuing to cook, watch Gunsmoke, be a great husband and father, and function as fully as possible. Courtney was long-time member of First Baptist Church in Perry, where he taught Sunday school for many years.

Courtney was married in 1964 to his beloved Juanita May Satterfield Mason, and they had a son, Dr. Stephen D. Mason. He became the devoted stepfather of Linda Satterfield Corbett (Jim) of Atlanta and Janice Satterfield Vandergrift of Elko. He was predeceased by his brothers, Thomas Dovert Mason, Jr., and Edward Mason, both of Perry, and his son-in-law, Dr. Bill Vandergrift of Elko. Although his dear wife predeceased him in 2013, he is survived by his son and two stepdaughters. Courtney is also survived by numerous extended family members, for whom the memory of their years with him will forever be cherished.

Courtney fought a brave fight at the end of his life, battling numerous conditions associated with his longevity. To the end of his life, he maintained his sharp intellect and wit. He passed away peacefully at Summerhill Nursing Home in Perry.

Visitation will be Friday, December 12, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. Courtney will be laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery with a graveside service at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025.

Flowers will be accepted or donations may be given in memory of Courtney to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org - Donate or Tunnels to Towers Foundation, https://t2t.org/donate/

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.