Strip hotel contractor Mason dies

Friday, July 12, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Morry Mason, a general contractor who built many Strip hotels, died Wednesday in Las Vegas. He was 87.

Mason was born Jan. 1, 1909, in Fort Thomas, Ky. He grew up in Cincinnati, graduating from the University of Cincinnati as an architect in the early 1930s.

After going to work for Taylor International Corp. in Miami, Mason ended up buying the company in 1940.

Mason, whose company was responsible for 45 hotels in the Miami area, first came to Las Vegas for the construction of the Riviera in 1954. He actually moved here in 1965.

Taylor International was the general or managing contractor on the Las Vegas Hilton, Caesars Palace, Bally's, Tropicana, MGM Grand and Stratosphere hotel-casinos. The company also was involved in renovations of many hotels.

Mason was one of the founders of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation in Las Vegas. He also was involved in Jewish causes and other health-related charities.

He was a founder of Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach, Fla.

He was an avid traveler.

He is survived by his wife, Agnes, of Las Vegas; two sons, Stuart of Las Vegas and Walter of Reno; and four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Services were today at Palm Mortuary Downtown. Interment was in Woodlawn Cemetery.