Walter S. Mason Jr.

Dr.
Walter S. Mason Jr.
Died 2007
Cause of death Alzheimer's disease
Monuments Dr. Walter S. Mason, Jr. Memorial Highway
Residence Clinton, Oklahoma
Nationality American
Alma mater Col. '45
Occupation veterinarian, hotelier
Employer Tradewinds Courtyard Inn (1964–2003)
Organization Best Western
Known for Former president of Best Western (1984)
Board member of Friends of Oklahoma Route 66 Museum (1995–96)
Spouse(s) Velma
Children Marilyn, Myra Lee, Walter Scott Mason, III

Dr. Walter S. Mason Jr., a Clinton, Oklahoma rural veterinarian turned U.S. Route 66 hotelier, was a former head of the Best Western hotel chain.[1]

In 1955, governor-elect Raymond Gary named Dr. Mason (Col '45) as vice-chairman of the State Board of Affairs;[2] he served seven years (1970–76) as an appointed member of the Oklahoma Industrial Development and Park Commission. He became president of Best Western International in 1984.[3]

As owner of the Tradewinds Courtyard Inn from 1963 until 2003,[4] he hosted Elvis Presley[5] during his travels from Memphis to Las Vegas and Hollywood[6] and was one of many Route 66 businesspeople interviewed in 2001 by Pixar as research for 2006 animated film Cars.[7]

When Interstate 40 in Oklahoma was proposed as a bypass to route 66, "Doc" Mason advocated the new road follow a route close to the town, preventing Clinton from becoming a ghost town like many other bypassed communities on US 66.[8] A close friend of Route 66 historian and author Michael Wallis (who brought Pixar's John Lasseter, Jonas Rivera, Joe Ranft, Matthew Lo and Kevin Reher to town), he served on the Friends of Oklahoma Route 66 Museum board and donated land for construction of the 1995 museum.[9]

Under Mason's ownership, the two-story, 76-room hotel was a member of Best Western and provided room service, a restaurant and a swimming pool.[10] Suite 215 was furnished in the 1960s style to match the Elvis Presley era.[11] "Doc" was always quick to tell a story and offer fresh red apples to every guest.[7][12]

A member of Clinton's local Masonic Lodge since 1949,[13] "Doc" Mason sold the Tradewinds Courtyard in 2003 and died in June 2007 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease.[14] After his demise the Tradewinds went into a steep decline, losing its Best Western membership[15] and receiving many highly negative reviews.[16]

In 2011, Oklahoma's state legislature designated a one-mile section of Interstate 40 in Clinton as the Dr. Walter S. Mason, Jr. Memorial Highway in his memory.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Mary Jo Nelson (March 4, 1984). "Veterinarian Turned Workaholic Heads Best Western Chain". The Oklahoman.
  2. ↑ "Modern veterinary practice" (Volume 36). American Veterinary Publications. 1955.
  3. ↑ "Lodging Hospitality: LH" (Volume 40). Penton Pub. 1984.
  4. ↑ Jon Sonderman; Jim Ross (2011). Route 66 in Oklahoma. p. 110. ISBN 9780738590516. indicates "In 1963, veterinarian Walter “Doc” Mason and his wife, Velma, opened the Master Hosts Motor Hotel, which became the Best Western Trade Winds. Elvis Presley stayed in Room 215 four times while riding between Memphis and Las Vegas. Doc Mason donated the land across the street for the Route 66 Museum, operated by the State of Oklahoma."
  5. ↑ "Old-style motels fading out". USA Today. 2003-12-03. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
  6. ↑ Geoff Hill (May 19, 2000). "Following in the footsteps of those blue suede shoes; Follow Geoff Hill's adventures as he travels Route 66 on a Harley.". The News Letter (Belfast, Northern Ireland).
  7. 1 2 Gerald Green; Scott Mason (June 22, 2006). "Pixar's research visit to Clinton recalled". Clinton Daily News.
  8. 1 2 "Bill 11: An act relating to the designation of memorial highways" (PDF). Oklahoma state legislature. May 17, 2011. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
  9. ↑ Steve Belcher (September 27, 2005). "310+ at 66 Museum event". Clinton Daily News.
  10. ↑ Fodor's USA, 28th Edition: The Guide for All Budgets, Where to Stay, Eat ... Fodor's. 2003-01-07. p. 753. ISBN 9781400010882. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
  11. ↑ Epting, Chris (2004-04-13). "Famous and Infamous Hotel Rooms". Budget Travel. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
  12. ↑ Michael Wallis (May 2001). "The Mother Road Turns 75: A Contemporary Portrait of Oklahoma's Route 66". Oklahoma Today magazine. cited in Steve Belcher (May 8, 2001). "Oklahoma Today 66 article lauds Clinton". Clinton Daily News.
  13. ↑ "The Oklahoma Mason" (PDF). LXW. February 1999. ISSN 0030-1779. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
  14. ↑ Ron Warnick (June 3, 2007). "Former Best Western Trade Winds motel owner dies". Route 66 News.
  15. ↑ "Best Western Trade Winds Courtyard Inn, Clinton". VirtualTourist. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
  16. ↑ "Trade Winds Inn (Clinton, OK)". TripAdvisor. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
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