Joe Nyle Mason

Dr. Joe Nyle Mason (91) of Fort Smith, passed away on September 10, 2025. He was born on Feb. 16, 1934 in the Georgia Ridge AR community (Crawford County) to the late Raymond Edgar and Magnolia Mason. Joe attended Chastain Elementary and Mulberry High School before graduating from the University of Arkansas. After college, Joe completed medical school at UAMS. In 1957, he married Eva Dale Washburn and they moved to Tulsa Oklahoma, where he created and completed the first OBGYN residence program at Hillcrest Hospital. While in Tulsa, Joe and his wife started a family with 3 sons. The family moved to Fort Smith in 1962, where he began a private practice as one of the first OBGYNs in Fort Smith. Joe was an accomplished and renowned member of the medical community. He was a diplomat of the American Board of OBGYN and a fellow of the Southwestern Surgical Society. Joe had professional memberships that included the American Medical Association, Arkansas Medical Society, the Sebastian County Medical Society, the Pan Pacific Surgical Association, the American College of Obstetrics, and the Canadian American Medical and Dental Society.

He loved to fly and even had a commercial pilot license. In addition, he loved to travel and enjoyed many outdoor activities including golf, snow skiing, water skiing, and scuba diving. Most of all, he loved his family. Joe was a member of West Ark Church of Christ.

He is preceded in death by his parents and 5 brothers: Raymond Jr., Curtis, John, Merle, and Robert (Bob). Joe is survived by 3 sons: Keith and Gina Mason of Florida; Kevin and Beverly Mason of Russellville; Kent and Kerri Mason of Springdale. Joe is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Sean Mason, Seth Mason, Shea Mason, Ashley Mason-Mallory, Andrew Mason, Joey Mason, Caitlin Mason-Crow, Sarah Mason-Wages, Kenley Trainor, and Klaire Trainor-Kjerstad. In addition, he is survived by 12 great grandchildren (plus one on the way) which include: Wes Mason, Rosemary Mallory, Eva Mallory, Leo Mallory, Bristow Mason, Everett Mason, Cyra Crow, Clea Crow, Lily Crow, Ruger Wages, Aspen Wages, and Maddox Trainor.

Pall Bearers are Sean Mason, Seth Mason, Joey Mason, George Mallory, Kenzie Crow, and Cody Wages.

An open viewing will be held between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 15, 2025, at Lewis Funeral Chapel, located at 4817 Kelley Hwy in Fort Smith. A private Burial will be held at Dyer Cemetery at a later time.

Memorial gifts may be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org) or a charity of your choice.