Gerald Mask

Gerald Lee Mask, born September 18, 1925, in Amarillo, Texas, passed away Thursday, August 11th in Roswell, New Mexico. Gerald, who was raised in Amarillo, served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-46 in the Pacific theatre. He participated in the invasion of Okinawa on April 1, 1945. As a Seabee, he was injured in a construction accident on December 24, 1945 and returned to the U.S. where he was honorably discharged in 1946. Gerald married Lou Nell Smith of Amarillo on September 12, 1948. He began his career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in January 1953 at John Martin Reservoir in Colorado. On completion of the Two Rivers Reservoir, near Roswell in July 1963, he was selected as the first project engineer. In 1969, he was transferred to the Conchas Dam Reservoir near Tucumcari , New Mexico and served as project foreman until his retirement in September 1980. Gerald loved his wife, children, hunting, fishing, but most of all, his Lord and Savior. Serving God and loving people were his priorities. He was instrumental in starting the First Southern Baptist Church of Lamar, Colorado where he was ordained as a deacon. He served as a deacon in the First Southern Baptist Church of Las Animas, Colorado, Bethel Baptist, Roswell, and Berrendo Baptist, Roswell. He began the Conchas Baptist Mission in his home at Conchas Dam. Again serving as deacon, he was instrumental in the construction of the Conchas Baptist Church. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents Donald A. Mask and Ruby Carol (Ford) Mask and his brothers A.J. Mask and George Mask. He is survived by his wife of the home and 3 children, Darrell D. Mask, Kathy Frederick, and Karla Criswell. His grandchildren are Teresa Martin, Jason Mask, Hayley Criswell Moreno, Lee Frederick, Cory Frederick, and Abby Criswell. His great grandchildren are Dayna Leigh Mask and Lena Marie Frederick. His surviving siblings are brother R.D. Mask, and sisters Essie Bunch, Mardell McKendree and Sadie McKinney. Rev. Richard Smith of Highland Baptist Church will be officiating graveside services Monday August15, 2011 at 11:00 am at South Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday, August 14,2011 from 1pm-8pm at Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory.

Gerald Mask

September 18, 1925 - August 11, 2011