Requiem for a Roughrider

Written by Elizabeth Whipple Quinones

Excitement was building
  in the middle of May.

For a new baby boy child

  was at last on his way!

On May 19th
  at 10:33

A perfect baby boy
  made a family of three.

Melanie and Richie
  Had a very special son
Who knew a person so tiny
  Could grow to 6' 1”?

When Mason was three
  his life changed for the best.
A new baby – Maddie
  joined the Ganns in their nest.

Mason's” Big Brother”shirt
  was his favorite, his best
He wore it until
  it was too tight on his chest.

A million dollar family,
  a girl and a boy
Two perfect angels
  to bring happiness and joy's
 

Mason and Maddie were always best friends
  from the day of her birth
He was her chauffeur and protector
  'til the ends of the Earth.

He pushed his toy dump trucks
  until the tires were slick
His 4 wheeler, motor cycle, and bike
  became his number one pick

Mase loved his rabbits and cats
  but Cubby was the top of the line
Til Cubby went to Heaven
  when Mason was nine.

He loved roller coasters
  the fastest were best
The tallest and scariest
  he put to the test.

Green chili burros
  were a really big deal
With beans, rice, chips and salsa
  were his favorite meal.

Little goldfish crackers
  were always at hand
And cold Dr. Pepper
  was the drink in his land.

His big hands were stained
  from the work that he dared
A welder and mechanic
  his talents he shared.

After restoring and rebuilding
  a 3 decades old truck
One goal was to certify
  in Mechanics and Trucks.

Mason's blue and white chariot
  almost 30 years old

Had a special parking place
  for the big and the bold.

That '92 Dodge
  was his pride and joy
It led the truck rally
  to honor our boy.

Mason left a truck, tools, and belt buckle
  doesn't seem like much
But when we look around
  we see results of his touch.

Melanie was his person
  he was Richie's best friend
Maddie – his loyal admirer
  her “Brudder” til the end.
 

Mason was an angel
  ready to fly
He's gone from this earth
  but his spirit is with us and will never die.
 

So on May 19th
  Please don't cry or be sad
Smile like Mason
  We knew him, we loved him
Be Glad