Hoyt R. Mason

LAKELAND - Hoyt Robert Mason, 96, of Lakeland died at home January 18, 2018. He was born and grew up in Rochester, NY, the oldest of four children. He was a Marine during the Pacific Campaign in WWII. He had a lifelong love of farming. His father was raised on a farm, and he worked on one in his younger years. But banking became his profession. He was a certified agricultural banker. He was manager of the Genesee Valley Union Trust Co. office in Avon, NY, and was later promoted to vice president of the Marine Midland Bank. He moved to Lakeland in 1971 and became manager of the First State Bank and then vice president of the Barnett Bank. Hoyt was a member of the Rotary Club and had perfect attendance throughout his membership. He was presented The Four-Way Test award in April of 2017 by the Lakeland Rotary Club. He was also a Freemason and a member of the Avon Springs Lodge. Hoyt was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and a devout Christian. He was a do-it-yourselfer and had a great number of tools. A repairman was rarely needed. Family and friends were seldom in need of one either. Hoyt was preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy, and his second wife, Doris. He is survived by his wife, Paula Beikirch; his children Linda Lindstrom of Ocoee, FL, Hoyt R. Mason, Jr., Paul R. Mason (Sandy), and Carol Kahlenberg of Lakeland, FL, Tom (Pam) Beikirch of Newport, NC, and Betsy (Mike) Godwin of Winter Haven, FL; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. There will be a memorial service at the First Presbyterian Church in Lakeland on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. A reception at the church will follow the service. A memorial service in Avon, NY will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rotary Polio Trust Foundation or to the Presbyterian Homes Endowment Fund.