It’s hard to put into words what WTA consultant Mike Mason meant to WTA. He was far from “just a consultant” or a butt in a seat here. He was family. He was reliable in every sense of the word: a steady hand, a loyal friend, and the kind of person who brought warmth and laughter wherever he went. Mike lived his life with quiet strength, humility, and genuine kindness that touched everyone around him.
Born on October 20, 1963, in Kearney, Nebraska, Mike grew up with an undeniable zest for life. He was an athlete, a musician, and above all, a friend to many. After graduating from Sidney High School in 1982, he began what became a lifelong career tied to the outdoors.
Mike spent 35 years at Cabela’s, working his way up from the loading dock to purchasing agent, a role where his passion for fishing found a perfect home. Later, he joined Worldwide Trophy Adventures, where he continued to share his expertise, humor, and heart with his colleagues and clients.
Mike passed away on October 5, 2025, just shy of his 62nd birthday. His life was full, rich with friendships, family, and a love for nature, golf, and Nebraska athletics. He lived independently but never alone, surrounded by the community and people who meant the most to him.
At WTA, Mike was more than a coworker. He was a friend, mentor, and bright spot in every day. We hope that sharing these reflections helps you feel just how special Mike was to our WTA family and how much he will be missed.
A Letter to Mike from Jason Berger
Among all of us, perhaps no one shared a closer friendship with Mike than Jason Berger. The two worked side by side for years and shared an easy camaraderie that could fill any room. Jason’s words, both spoken at Mike’s service and written in a letter to his friend, capture not only who Mike was but how deeply he is missed.
“Mike, this past week has been rough. It’s been filled with tears, memories, and so many emotions. It still doesn’t feel real that we’re sitting here today celebrating your life instead of sharing another story, another laugh, or checking who’s still on your past-due list. There’s an emptiness that’s hard to describe, but there’s also gratitude for the time we had, the memories we made, and the friendship we shared.”
Jason described walking into the office that first Monday after Mike’s passing, seeing his office dark and his chair empty. That moment, he said, will never leave him.
“The day was filled with sadness, but also laughter as we told stories about you. Writing about your passing didn’t seem right because no words could really describe what you meant to us. You touched so many people in so many ways. From the first day we worked together, you treated me like an old friend. You were always steady, always dependable, and always ready to help however you could.”
He remembered the countless conversations the two shared while traveling for work, attending shows, and winding down after long days.
“You had that perfect mix of seriousness and laughter. You could make a tough day light again, and you reminded everyone around you that there’s always a way through whatever life throws at you. Whether it was on the road, in the field, or over coffee in the office, you made the ordinary feel special. You turned coworkers into friends and work into something meaningful.”
Jason closed his letter with words that captured what so many of us feel.
“We’ll miss your laugh, your smile, and your steady presence. We’ll miss your wisdom and your humor. You made us all better just by being around you. So here’s to you, Mike, our friend and our brother. May your golf courses be endless, your garden full, and your boat throw a huge rooster tail across the lake. Rest easy, buddy. We’ll take it from here.”
Reflections from the WTA Family
“Mike was a dear friend, truly a best friend. We did everything together. He was my favorite ice-fishing partner around Sidney and an incredible travel companion. In 2023 we headed deep into the jungle for brocket deer, curassow, and especially Ocellated turkeys. It was an unreal adventure, and I couldn’t have asked for anyone better beside me. Naturally, Mike got the turkey with the longest spurs being 2 inches. This past spring we went to Sonora for our Gould’s, and we always stayed up after the evening hunt for a “final final.” I’m going to miss him. There will never be another Mase. The day he passed, I was hunting Oryx with no cell service. It hadn’t been easy, but that evening things finally came together. Later, I realized it wasn’t luck, it was Mike watching over me. Thanks, Mase. I’ll see you again someday. Wait up.”
“If there’s one word that could describe him, it would be reliable. Mike would take on any task handed to him and was always willing to help. He was in a positive mood every day, and I’ll miss his stories, especially our conversations about the Huskers and local athletics. Whether it was a ride somewhere or a tool to borrow, Mike was always there. I’ll miss my friend.”
“Mike never said anything bad about anyone. Every morning it took me an extra 15 minutes to get to my office because I had to stop and talk to Mike about his golf game, his bowling game, or how lunch was with his mom. We had so many laughs every day he was there. He was such a great guy and will be missed by so many.”
“Every time I’d get back from being out of the office, Mike would stop by just to ask if I’d been doing something fun. And he always said, ‘Good for you, you have fun.’ I’ll miss helping him set his out-of-office every time he was gone. It was always the blind leading the blind with tech stuff, and we’d end up laughing about it. I’ll miss those little things the most.”
“I didn’t know Mike as long as most of the team, but we grew close through our work together, especially during the SCI show. I had really hoped to join him on his next ocellated turkey hunt in Mexico. When I finally make it down there, I’ll be thinking of Mike chasing his turkey slam above the clouds.”
“I first met Mike in my T-ball days. He coached Sidney and I played for Dalton. Years later, on my first day at Cabela’s, the first person I ran into was that same coach who somehow hadn’t aged at all. He was special then, and he stayed special. For the next 20 years at Cabela’s, I saw the joy he brought to everyone. When I joined the WTA family in 2018, I was thrilled when Mike joined us. We spent a lot of time working on Mexico and improving Balam. He knew that camp inside and out, and they loved him like we all did. Most of the time, he had to bring me bad news, and I’d always joke that someday he’d bring me good news. In our final meeting the week before he passed, after another tough discussion, he looked at me and said, “Next week I will bring you good news.” And he did. He’s home now, exactly where he belongs. If you asked him to come back, I think he’d smile, say he loved you, and gently say, ‘No way. This is my true home.’ Rest in peace, Mike.”
“I can still hear his laugh in my head. It makes me smile every time, just as it did when he was here. He was so even-keeled and funny, and I was lucky to work alongside him again after our Cabela’s days. His presence will be missed more than words can say.”
“Unlike many at WTA, I didn’t work at Cabela’s, so I only knew Mike for a few years, but in that time, I really grew to appreciate him. We got to know each other best while traveling to the SCI convention, and he was an easy guy to be around: even-keeled, funny, and genuinely enjoyable company. Mike will be missed by everyone who knew him.”
“I didn’t know Mike as well as many in the office, but he made a big impact on me from the moment I started. He was my main connection to the team, calling almost every week for one reason or another. We always ended up laughing and talking about anything and everything. He didn’t have to do that, but he did every week. I think he called to help me feel part of the team. His laugh was infectious, and he had a gift for making people feel welcome. Mike was truly the soul of the company, and he will be deeply missed.”
“I’ve known Mike for over 20 years, ever since we helped open Cabela’s first super store in Owatonna, Minnesota. We spent long nights building that place from the ground up and plenty of nights closing down the local watering hole. When Jason Berger suggested bringing Mike to the WTA team, I was excited. He instantly made us better with his attitude, kindness, smile, and unforgettable laugh. I’ll miss his calls, usually just to bounce around ideas he’d already figured out. Your golf game is perfect now, you’re bowling 300s, and those perch and crappie stories are finally true.”
“Almost every Thursday in the summer, Mike and I would talk about golf league. He’d ask how I played Tuesday, then we’d go over his Wednesday round, and always end by laughing about how bad Pawlak played. Mike’s giggle was infectious, and he always had that surprised, excited look when Pawlak actually played well. He was always the first in the office to ask how your trip went the moment you got back. I’m really going to miss that guy.”
“The WTA office has felt so somber since Mike’s passing. He was the kind of person who could brighten a room with his chuckle, quick wit, and genuine kindness. Mike made everyone feel like a friend and for many of us, he truly was. I met him in 2007 at Cabela’s and soon joined his small fishing team. From day one, he made me feel welcome. Over the years, he became an uncle-like figure: steady, supportive, and always cheering me on. Returning to his team at WTA later felt like things had come full circle. The week he passed, he showed me how he made his ‘weak’ coffee that the office joked about, but that I thought was perfect. That simple moment, him asking about my husband and daughters, captured exactly who he was: thoughtful and always taking time for others. It was a blessing to know him.”
A Life Well Lived
Mike’s obituary described him perfectly: a man whose life was a testament to hard work, passion, and a love for the great outdoors. He was devoted to his family, his friends, and his community in Sidney. He loved golf and fishing, the Cornhuskers and Cowboys, and the fellowship of the Corn Club (a place where memories and laughter will continue in his honor for years to come).
He is survived by his mother Carol, sister Kim, brother Mark, nieces and nephews, grand-nephews, and his special grandson Bodhi Melton. His family, friends, and all of us at WTA will carry his legacy forward—a legacy of kindness, loyalty, and a life lived fully.
Mike Mason will always be remembered as one of the good ones. A man who worked hard, laughed often, and left the world better for having been in it.
Rest easy, Mike. You’ll never be forgotten.
