THOMASTON – Alfred Mason Johnson Jr., 84, died Jan. 19, 2017, at the Sussman House in Rockport, following a long illness.

Born in Rockland on March 10, 1932, he was one of six children and the only son of Alfred Mason Sr. and Clara Kendall Johnson. The first years of his life, Mason lived in Rockland. At the age of 9 he moved to Thomaston, where he lived until health issues caused his move to the Knox Center for Long Term Care in Rockland.

He was a 1950 graduate of Thomaston High School. Over the years he continued his education portfolio, completing university retail, business and marketing courses. He attended and earned certification as a licensed auctioneer from the renowned Missouri Auction School in Sunset Hills, Mo.

He was a U.S. Army, Korean War era veteran.

In 1956, he married Dorothy Whitten at the Thomaston Baptist Church.

For more than 40 years, with his wife and family, Mason owned and operated their 150-acre, West Meadow Road Dairy Farm. The Johnsons were awarded an Agway franchise and in conjunction with operation of the farm, for many years operated the Home and Garden Store. The Friday Night Auctions Mason hosted every other week, were enjoyed by many area people. He also ran many other auctions.

Always active in public service, at the age of 21, Mason was elected to the Thomaston Board of Selectman. He also served on the Board of Assessors. He served more than 16 years as a Knox County Commissioner, and was proud to consider himself one of the most conservative commission members.

In 1992, Mason began employment at the newly opened Walmart in Rockland. He worked more than 19 years with that company in various departments.

He was a longtime member of the Orient Lodge No. 15 A.F. & A.M., Thomaston, twice holding the office of master, a member of the Kora Shrine Temple and the Scottish Rite Bodies.

Mason's life was dedicated to service, be it in his Lodge, to his family, his country, state, county, town and friends.

In addition to his parents; and five sisters, Mason was predeceased by an infant daughter in 1957; as well as another daughter, Annette “Tootie” Stone in 2014; and a grandson, Jacob Denault in 1992. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy; and one son, Mason Johnson III, both of Thomaston; two daughters and their husbands, Birdie and Eric Denault of Thomaston, and Andrea and Chris Donlin of Warren; his son-in-law, Charles E. Stone III of Owls Head; eight grandchildren, Kristie Snow and her husband, Joe, Jennifer Denault, Travis Stone, Kevin Donlin, Kyle Donlin, Kayla Donlin, Kory Donlin and Kollin Donlin; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland, where a memorial service will be conducted by the officers of Orient Lodge No. 15 at 5 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 2 p.m. The Rev. Wayne Sawyer will officiate. Spring interment will be in Village Cemetery in Thomaston.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Mason Johnson Jr. may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children - Boston, Development Office, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114.